Renee Boucher Ferguson

Salesforce.com, the poster child for the software as a service movement, previewed Sept. 9 new across-the-board customization capabilities in its upcoming Winter 07 release, and also launched a new commentary-based Web site. The new site, which Salesforce has dubbed “The Idea Exchange,” offers a place where users can comment on new software features, offer up […]

After Oracles move in 2000 from client/server to Web-based applications with its E-Business Suite 11i—a notoriously buggy technology shift—the company isnt taking any chances with its next big development undertaking. Oracle, based in Redwood Shores, Calif., has implemented a zero-defect policy for Fusion Applications, its next-generation suite of ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications expected in […]

A German company, Infineon Technologies, announced that it is working with the U.S. government in its quest to RFID-enable all U.S. passports by the end of 2006. Infineon officials said Aug. 28 that the company received a multi-million piece purchase order from the U.S. government to supply the integrated circuit technology for the electronic passport. […]

VeriChip, the company that makes human-implantable RFID chips, is looking to span its equipment from newborns to the militarys enlisted. The company announced Aug. 24 that it has made the first sale of its infant protection, wander prevention and staff duress system to the Brampton Civic Hospital in Brampton, Ontario. Separately, the company confirmed a […]

In less than three weeks, IBM managed to snatch up four software companies—Webify, MRO Software, FileNet and, most recently, Internet Security Systems. The question is, How will these diverse acquisitions fit into IBMs overall growth strategy? The acquisitions of Webify and FileNet are expected to increase the Armonk, N.Y., companys Information on Demand strategy, while […]

Oracle quietly announced Aug. 23 that it acquired the intellectual property assets of Sigma Dynamics, a company that develops predictive analytics technology. The terms of the deal were undisclosed. Sigma Dynamics, based in San Mateo, Calif., has software that combines customer insight and business requirements in real time to make recommendations regarding customer interactions. Applications […]

NEW YORK—Shortly after announcing on Aug. 21 that Salesforce.com had acquired the small software development company Kieden, CEO Marc Benioff confirmed that he is indeed on the lookout for additional acquisitions. “Were paying attention to what customers want us to do,” Benioff said during an Aug. 22 interview with eWEEK at a Salesforce for Google […]

Entering the metadata technology market, WebMethods announced Aug. 21 the acquisition of Cerebra, a privately held company that develops metadata management software. The terms of the deal were undisclosed. Headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., Cerebra offers a metadata repository that uses semantic technology—additional context about the datas meaning and usage. Often defined as the data about […]

SAPs move to expand its in-memory technology beyond its business intelligence confines to broader enterprise data sets has sparked debate over the potential threat to database vendors. eWEEK reported in its Aug. 7 issue that, according to sources close to the company, SAP is broadening the scope of its in-memory technology to areas where users […]

IBM made its 20th “Information On Demand”-based acquisition on Aug. 10, with the announcement that it plans to acquire FileNet for $1.6 billion, or $35 per share. FileNet marks IBMs third acquisition in less than two weeks. The company also acquired asset management vendor MRO Software on Aug. 3 for $740 million, and the day […]