28 January 2008
by Billy MacInnes
Sun’s $1bn acquisition of MySQL has been described as "validating" the open source model.
That verdict was given by Roger Burkhardt, CEO of open source database vendor Ingres, and echoes Sun’s chief executive Jonathan Schwartz in his blog.
"I do agree with those that say Sun’s acquisition of MySQL proves the value of open source business models," he wrote, "and I’m hoping it fuels yet more investment from the venture community in truly open source innovation."
Schwartz argued the deal would make MySQL more attractive to traditional enterprises because it would have the backing of a Fortune 500 vendor able to provide global mission-critical support.
Burkhardt suggested that Sun’s acquisition provided "a very nice validation point" for the planned IPO of Ingres and "increases the value of being the only credible independent provider in this space. Customers and partners like us as an independent source".
Analyst Judith Hurwitz, CEO at Hurwitz & Associates, was less certain: "Clearly, one reason MySQL has been successful is that it works and is open source. I can’t figure out how Sun will leverage this asset to build a successful commercial business."
In its response, Gartner said that although Sun faced the challenge of integrating MySQL and had only mixed success with previous acquisitions, "if it retains the MySQL management team, developers and support organisation, it is likely to benefit greatly from this acquisition."
The company recommended that enterprise customers use the deal "to apply competitive pressure to proprietary DBMS vendors by planning to switch spending on suitable requirements to MySQL".
