After Prolonged Battle, Oracle Snags PeopleSoft

It was long, rocky road to this place. Oracle's quest seemed in vain at many junctures during the past year, with PeopleSoft and then-CEO Craig Conway fighting tooth and nail to convince shareholders to rebuff the takeover. Court fights ensued. In February, the U.S. Department of Justice announced its intention to seek to block the Oracle bid on antitrust grounds. By fall, momentum had shifted when a federal judge rejected the Justice Department's claims, clearing the way for Oracle to keep pursuing PeopleSoft. And when PeopleSoft's board abruptly fired Conway on Oct. 1, replacing him with PeopleSoft founder Dave Duffield, many believed the writing was on the wall that the deal would happen.

For partners, particularly those affiliated with PeopleSoft or the former J.D. Edwards (which PeopleSoft bought in 2003) questions and concerns abound about the merger, which is expected to close in January. Chief among them: How will Oracle bring partners into the fold, what changes will ensue and will the products partnes sell now continue to be supported and developed? But one thing's for sure -- 2005 will be a busy one for all the stakeholders.

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• Oracle-PeopleSoft Deal: Boon Or Bust For Partners?
• Oracle Buys PeopleSoft
• PeopleSoft Ousts Conway
• VARs Remain Loyal To PeopleSoft
• Hostile Bid From Oracle To Take Over PeopleSoft