Search
 
Best Practices

Software's Race To The Middle

Customers want built-in integration, and middleware is providing it

By Staff Writer | Updated on November 01, 2004

In September, just as the takeover battle between PeopleSoft Inc. and Oracle Corp. was heating up (again), PeopleSoft announced its largest ever strategic alliance: a $1 billion, five-year technology deal with IBM Corp. At the time, the alliance appeared to some as an attempt to thwart Oracle’s long-running hostile takeover of PeopleSoft. But while some may have hoped that IBM could be PeopleSoft’s white knight, the alliance brought to PeopleSoft something just as valuable: the IBM middleware technology known as WebSphere.

A family of revolutionary software, middleware acts as a working link to enable different, otherwise incompatible computer programs to run seamlessly together. At a time when companies are struggling to automate and allow real-time data exchanges among internal departments, suppliers and customers, this is business technology’s Holy Grail. The market, only five years old, is already at $6 billion and growing, and for a vendor trying to sell pricey ERP systems that in the past have struggled to integrate with other legacy systems, not being able to offer such a package could spell disaster as fast as any takeover.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to Treasury & Risk, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited Treasury & Risk content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical Treasury & Risk information including in-depth analysis of treasury and finance best practices, case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts and videos, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

Treasury & Risk

Join Treasury & Risk

Don’t miss crucial treasury and finance news along with in-depth analysis and insights you need to make informed treasury decisions. Join Treasury & Risk now!

  • Free unlimited access to Treasury & Risk including case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM publications including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Treasury & Risk

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.