Informix Acquisition Improves IBM’s Position in Database Market
IBM has acquired database technology provider Informix, a move Big Blue hopes will give it an edge over Oracle in the battle for database market share.
With the acquisition, IBM adds 100,000 new customers and technology that is expected to enhance the capabilities of its flagship database product DB2. While the most logical fit for Informix’s technology is for DB2 on pSeries and xSeries, it could also be used for iSeries as well, according to a report by News/400's Joanna Moore.
In addition, IBM gains access to Informix’s Red Brick Decision Server, a Web-based data warehousing tool that IBM believes it can integrate with DB2 Warehouse Manager for its pSeries and zSeries lines, Moore reports.
IBM has been aggressively trying to grow its distributed database business recently. In the first quarter of 2001, IBM’s revenues in this segment grew 36 percent from their year-prior mark. The company’s ultimate goal is to run Oracle out of the market. The Informix acquisition is viewed as a big step in that direction.
But Oracle is doing what it can to convert DB2 users to Oracle with a migration program it launched following the acquisition. The offering is designed to migrate Informix database customers to Oracle. The effort is expected to have little impact on iSeries-based DB2 users.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to an editorial oversight, original reporting by News/400 was not appropriately attributed for this story. Please note the corrections in paragraphs two and three.