UKOUG smiles on Oracle’s Sun Microsystems acquisition

The deal – valued at approximately $7.4billion and which has met objections over database competition from the EU – has been given the green light by UKOUG, despite Sun's MySQL competing directly with Oracle databases. UKOUG chairman Ronan Miles states that the organisation believes MySQL is not the main issue, whereas providing a determined future for Java and for those members with a significant investment in Sun hardware is of vital importance. "Uncertainty over the future of Java risks our members' investments in both Oracle technologies and in developed applications", says Miles. "Oracle, in terms of strategy and commitment to Open Source, will provide a secure future for Java," he adds. "Oracle's record of preserving customer investments and support of Open Standards would indicate as safe future for MySQL as any other owner. "Oracle has also demonstrated how it is able to absorb the people from acquired companies to drive the best product development – and hence best customer value."