Larry Ellison Makes Peace with Microsoft, Signs Strategic Alliance on Cloud Computing

The former arch enemies Microsoft and Oracle join forces in a new partnership in the field of cloud computing. The partnership will enhance the compatibility of certain Oracle software (including Java, WebLogic Server and Oracle Database) with the Microsoft Windows Azure or Windows Server Hyper-V platform. 

Did an Alliance Become Necessary?

Oracle and Microsoft were indeed historically head competes on the ground platforms. In recent years, Microsoft was trying to install its software for data management in companies, thus encroaching on the turf of Oracle, the undisputed leader in the field. Microsoft and Oracle are actually competitors in the field of database software and enterprise applications. It makes perfect sense for both parties now to enter into a partnership. It’s a win-win situation for both parties as it puts them in a position to compete more aggressively with their respective rivals.

As for the benefits of the transaction, Microsoft emphasizes the greater choice and use of the software development environments for customers using Azure platform.

With the collaboration, the two companies bring in the cloud to strike out against competitors such as Amazon, Google and Salesforce. In the first instance, Java developers will benefit most from the flexibility to deploy Oracle software fully compatible with Windows Server Hyper-V and Windows Azure. The basics of Oracle and Java programming language are now certified as compatible with the Windows Azure cloud platform. In case of problems, customers receive technical assistance from Microsoft.

Goal of the new partnership with Oracle is to facilitate business customers to switch to the Microsoft platform. In this context, the free operating system Oracle Linux is brought into the Microsoft cloud, although Linux is competing with Microsoft Windows system.

Focus on Windows Azure

It remains true that the Windows Server stack already took into Oracle 11g and Weblogic load. But under the new partnership, Oracle will provide a deeper integration with Hyper-V (probably on the occasion of the release of its version 3.0) and especially a full range of support. Microsoft also plans to provide preconfigured versions of Oracle Database and Weblogic to Windows Server and Hyper-V.

To facilitate porting Oracle Database and Weblogic on Azure servers, Oracle licenses can be directly used on the Microsoft cloud.  But that’s not all, Oracle and Microsoft are working on porting effect of the Java Development Kit and Runtime on Azure. The Redmond company recently upgraded its Azure cloud platform with new mobile, ERP and advanced security support.

Microsoft wants to give companies what they need, and clearly it is the ability to manage the workload of the company in dematerialized private, public, private or hybrid networks. The partnership also focuses on the migration of licenses for Oracle applications to the Microsoft cloud. Companies will be able to move from their site application to the cloud without worrying about licensing.

Oracle software is available on Amazon Web Services for several years. With this partnership, Microsoft has finally decided to be more open and catch with competitors. It bolsters Microsoft’s efforts to compete with VMware, the market leader in virtualization software, and gives Windows Azure near-equal position against Amazon Web Services in the cloud platform wars

Leave a Reply