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Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing: What's Next?

Actually BI/DW is becoming more integral part of the IT solutions landscape. All these years IT did manage to deliver the process automation and information delivery by using mainframe, client-server to internet technologies. In addition they were focused on cost containment using vendor management, tool selection and outsourcing.

In most IT shops BI/DW was more an afterthought. Predominantly BI/DW projects were like prototype or addressed a narrow realm of information needs. Only recently the organization maturity is coming around to view BI/DW as an important tool to be ubiquitously integrated as part of the overall IT strategy. IBM is well positioned to make it possible with vast array of tools and services. In fact technologically IBM has superior expertise in commercial data mining solutions.

MySQL: The Key to Oracle's Sun Acquisition

MySQL RIP. Not that I am mourning. It is just eventual.

Sun to IBM: We're Willing to Talk Again

Clearly SUN goofed it.

Information Technology is a commodity business. By putting together parts one can make computers like DELL and Google have demonstrated. The Aura of high-tech is gone. The goofballs at SUN are still drinking the cool aid. It is the total solutions, were the money is.

IBM has built true global delivery capability in this area. With or without the acquisition IBM will get the services business as SUN customers look to insulate themselves by migrating to another vendor while SUN goes Kaput.

Potential Acquirers for Sun: Oracle or Cisco?

SUN acquisition has to be looked at two diametrically opposite lights. The dominant reason IBM, HPQ and maybe even DELL looks at SUN is from the efficiency standpoint. By acquiring SUN they get to increase the customer base, bring management discipline, cut cost and maybe monetize under utilized product areas, whereas the reason CSCO and ORCL is to create/assemble a competing alternative to the IBM and HPQ. In the second case SUN is core to the strategy and one of many acquisitions to follow. If neither is the case then SUN will join the heavenly bodies such as Wang, Prime, Data General, DEC and most recently SGI.

Potential Acquirers for Sun: Oracle or Cisco?

Gone are the big margin business. With BPO, SAS and ASP model there is tremendous pressure on margins. Hence IBM and HP have built the one-stop business model. Oracle is not immune to the trend. One quick way to get there is build H/W portfolio by acquiring SUN and potentially others like Unisys and DELL. Oracle already has good consulting service business. Viola you have a one-stop shop.

IBM Could Replace Sun in the Hot Seat the Next Time Around

All in all the deal is good for both. For IBM it is better, but they deserve it as a prudent organization. SUN does have valuable assets. In the hands of IBM they will be put to good use. Ultimately that is what matters. SUN is a good idea and engineering company, very poor management company. The deal fixes the poor management problem and will eliminate the free riders to save cost.

IBM Wants to Buy Sun - Why?

It totally makes sense. SUN's problem is immature management team. IBM should be under no illusion that they can cut cost easily even though tremendous opportunity exists. SUN's culture is somewhat suicidal; they would rather die instead of making the tough business decision. Tremendous synergistic opportunity does exist at the same time blocking CISCO is strategic. In fact I would not be surprised if CISCO makes counter offer.

Sun Bureaucracy Rejects MySQL Personalities

Will somebody please buy SUN and clean up the mess. It is a shame a good amount ow work is going waste and soon to oblivion.

Four Dying Silicon Valley Companies

The problem with SUN is it needs an adult to run the company. It does not matter what IP assets it has, how to convert those IP assets to steady revenue stream is what matters. SUN with the present team has no clue and they have to go. Unless a credible business leader in the caliber of Lou Gestner takes the helm, SUN will set.