Acquisition Expands Oracle's Content Management Software Lineup

Businesses use FatWire's software tools to build and deploy Web applications, including marketing, communications and e-commerce applications, for managing interactions with their customers.

Oracle has been relatively quiet on the acquisition front this year, only buying environmental management software technology from Ndevr in February. That's in contrast to previous years when the company spent billions to acquire such companies as Sun Microsystems (2010), BEA Systems (2008) and Siebel Systems (2006).

Oracle said the FatWire acquisition would expand the line of products it offers for businesses to build "a unified customer experience" across multiple channels and boost customer retention and loyalty. The company said the FatWire technology complements its CRM and ATG Web Commerce software, as well as its enterprise content management, business intelligence and portal systems.

"Oracle and FatWire plan to deliver the most complete web experience management solution that will enable companies to fully optimize the customer experience with innovative social tools that enable user generated content in a managed environment," said Hasan Rizvi, Senior Vice President at Oracle, in a statement. "The addition of FatWire products will give Oracle the ability to provide a complete suite of software that empowers web marketers to engage visitors, converting more prospects to customers, and enhancing customer loyalty."

Oracle said it expects the acquisition to close "mid-year 2011," and the two companies will operate independently until then.

The acquisition will put Oracle in more head-to-head competition with Web content management application vendors including Adobe, EMC, IBM and other vendors.