Oracle Taps HyperRoll, IBM Sells U2 Databases

You probably heard that Oracle plans to acquire HyperRoll's key assets, but IBM was pretty quiet about selling off its U2 databases (UniData and UniVerse) to Rocket Software. Here's a bit more context behind both of these moves.

As InformationWeek reported yesterday, Oracle is on track to acquire key assets from HyperRoll, namely its Data Performance Management Suite, which speeds up reporting of financial results. The technology can draw data out of leading databases, including Oracle, IBM's DB2, Microsoft's SQL Server, Teradata, and Sybase. It can also aggregate data from BI systems, including SAP Business Objects, MicroStrategy, Cognos, and other OLAP systems.Oracle previously tapped HyperRoll's technology by way of a partnership originally forged with Hyperion. Query performance remains a BI/OLAP sore spot. HyperRoll's aggregation engine accelerates queries and it also helps data warehouse managers avoid repetitive design and build steps. Finance types like it because it helps them tighten the close cycle in calculating financial results.

Oracle competitor SAP has historically used its BI Accelerator to speed up queries. That tool is currently limited to accessing data in SAP BW. But as part of the technology's integration into SAP BusinessObjects Explorer, the vendor is promising accelerated querying against myriad data sources.

As for IBM's sale of the U2 databases to Rocket, it seems to run counter to IBM's usual acquisitive ways. But according to an IBM spokesperson, UniData and UniVerse just weren't a fit with the Information Management division's focus on analytics.

"U2 came to us as part of the Informix acquisition in 2001, and it was not something IBM acquired intentionally," said Kaveri Camire of IBM Media Relations. "IBM has been very focused on developing higher-value analytics capabilities. The U2 offerings, which are primarily targeted at embedded, vertical applications, didn't really fit with that go-to-market strategy."

In a statement from Rocket Software -- which develops and sells OEM software to vendors including IBM, Microsoft, RSA, EMC, and HP -- company President and CEO Andy Youniss stated, "We are privileged to bring the U2 employees, products, partners, and customers onto our platform... The acquisition is a natural fit for us -- we have deep expertise in database management software and it strengthens our 15-year relationship with IBM. Our goal is to make this transfer of U2 assets from IBM to Rocket as seamless as possible for our partners and customers."

The sale of the U2 databases and supporting tools to Rocket Software was closed September 30. Terms were not disclosed. Here's a link to Rocket's more detailed statements.You probably heard that Oracle plans to acquire HyperRoll's key assets, but IBM was pretty quiet about selling off its U2 databases (UniData and UniVerse) to Rocket Software. Here's a bit more context behind both of these moves.