Matthew Hicks

About

Matt Hicks covers the fast-changing developments in Internet technologies. His coverage includes the growing field of Web conferencing software and services. With over eight years as a business and technology journalist, Matt has gained insight into the market strategies of IT vendors as well as the needs of enterprise IT managers. Along with Web conferencing, he follows search engines, Web browsers, speech technology and the Internet domain-naming system.

Precise Monitoring Tool Gains SQL Server Support

Precise Software Solutions on Tuesday extended the reach of its database tool for managing application performance by offering a version for Microsoft Corp.s SQL Server. Precise/Indepth for SQL Server 2000, available now, allows database administrators to detect and resolve the causes of application performance problems in a production environment. The SQL Server version joins pervious […]

Oracle Unveils Collaboration Software

REDWOOD SHORES, CALIF.–Oracle Corp., as expected on Wednesday, moved further into e-mail and groupware applications with a new software suite aimed at battling Microsoft Corp.s dominance in the space. The Oracle Collaboration Suite, announced during the companys analyst day here, includes e-mail, calendaring, voicemail, file system and search applications. The focus for Oracle isnt on […]

Oracle Readies Guide to Clear Up License Issues

Oracle Corp. is tackling ongoing criticism over its pricing and licensing practices by publishing a comprehensive online guide to its policies. The software maker next month will make available on its corporate Web site a Software Investment Guide that unifies its pricing and licensing policies to help avoid confusion over the way it sells its […]

Lucent Homes In on Service Providers

Lucent Technologies Inc. is continuing its push to focus on the service provider instead of the enterprise networking business by selling part of its professional services unit. Lucent has entered into an agreement to sell its Enhanced Services and Sales division to International Network Services Inc., a recently created subsidiary of private venture capital firm […]

Lucent Router Enables Managed IP Services

Following a trend toward more managed IP services, Lucent Technologies Inc. this week launched a new IP service router that allows service providers to offer managed IP services to enterprise customers. With the Access Point 1500 router, available now, service providers can offer enterprise customers in both large regional headquarters and small locations a range […]

3Com Expands Switch Line

3Com Corp. is continuing to expand its switch line this week with two new managed switches and an addition to its unmanaged line. 3Com, of Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday launched the SuperStack 3 Switch 4200 family aimed at enterprise workgroups, wiring closets and small business networks. It includes the SuperStack 3 Switch 4226T and […]

Tools Give DBAs Control Over Apps

BMC Software Inc. and Princeton Softech Inc. have enhanced their respective database tools to improve uptime and performance. Enhancements in an upgrade to BMCs SmartDBA Performance Management software, to be announced this week, will enable database administrators to reorganize critical databases without taking them offline. The Houston-based company is also providing deeper integration between SmartDBA […]

Real-Time Data Analysis Due in DB2, Yukon

IBM and Microsoft Corp. are upgrading their respective database systems to perform real-time analysis of incoming data, giving users the ability to react more quickly to changes in customers habits and market conditions. IBM is working on integrating into its DB2 Universal Database features for real-time analysis that it gained in its acquisition of Informix […]

Oracle, HP in Bluestone Deal?

Oracle Corp. reportedly has been talking with Hewlett-Packard Co. about buying its middleware business. Oracle Chairman and CEO Larry Ellison, following a keynote speech at Oracle OpenWorld in Copenhagen, Denmark, said the company is discussing the purchase with HP, reported Reuters. Speculation has spread in recent weeks that the software maker is considering buying HPs […]

3Com Narrows Its Losses, But Sales Slide

3Com Corp., in its latest earnings released Tuesday, narrowed its losses but saw a continued slide in overall sales. The Santa, Clara, Calif., networking vendor reported a net loss of $24 million, or 7 cents per share, for the fourth quarter ended May 31. That compares with a net loss of $518 million a year […]