IBM Viper lets SAP see the hope of attacking Oracle

SAP selects IBM's viper as a database of small users

The two companies strengthened their battle against Oracle.

IBM and SAP AG jointly announced in the middle of this month that IBM's next-generation DB2 database would be optimized as database software by SAP's SME user software, in an effort to strengthen their front lines to work together against their common rival, Oracle.

Users who choose to buy packaged mySAP ERP software can get DB2 Viper,viper are expected to be listed in the summer. According to IBM's marketing director Bernie Spang, Viper will have excellent performance.

Spang said that after IBM and SAP teamed up to launch a purpose-built DB2 version of all SAP applications last year, "hundreds" of SAP users either moved from Oracle databases to DB2, or opted for DB2 rather than Oracle products when choosing new SAP products. But he refused to give more details.

Spang said: "Now, we have transferred the pressure to the Oracle side." Believe this will bring thousands of new users to DB2. ”

However, an analysis of the world pointed out that the SAP bundle DB2 has actually started since 2001, and its effect is not significant. "I am skeptical about the success of this renovation," said James Governor, an analyst at RedMonk Inc. ”

"The user has not shown a strong desire to drive Oracle out of the database." SAP and IBM may have won some customers from Oracle, but so far it looks more like a normal customer flow than a massive waiver ... For now, the winners seem to be the ones who refuse to be forced to make decisions that may be regretted. “

In addition to those who consider switching from UNIX systems to cheap Linux based software, IBM and SAP are also targeting Siebel, PeopleSoft or J.D. Edwards software users. These companies have been acquired by Oracle in recent years, and IBM and SAP want to capture some customers who want to change, although Oracle has pledged to continue running non-Oracle middleware or databases.

A database administrator running SAP and Oracle databases on UNIX said the message could prompt her company to switch to DB2 "in the near term".

"We use Oracle to run well and our people are very skilled and experienced in our current setup," she said. "Her employees have transformed data warehouses from Oracle databases to DB2 Universal database. This change saves money and DB2 performance, with excellent vendor support. "But it also affects some IT staff.

"If the price of DB2 is significantly lower than Oracle, we will consider it more carefully," she said. But we also have to consider the cost of retraining our employees and hiring contractors. ”

Spang did not disclose the package prices, customers can purchase from SAP or its channel partners, they will also provide support. Get the latest version of DB2 MySAP all-in-one new users can enjoy a year of free maintenance.

Today's announcement was made before the Sapphire 2006 meeting of SAP users in Orlando next week.