Special coverage: Oracle vs. PeopleSoft
PeopleSoft lays out its plans to digest the recently acquired J.D. Edwards, confirming its intention to cut up to 1,000 jobs and to keep the J.D. Edwards product line intact.
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When Oracle CEO Larry Ellison launched a multibillion takeover of PeopleSoft in early June, he ignited a war of words and lawsuits. Oracle threatened to discontinue its rival's product line, drawing concern that potential customers may shun PeopleSoft until the dust settles. PeopleSoft CEO Craig Conway called Ellison's hostile bid, and his threats, "atrociously bad behavior."
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Attorney Gary Reback, who marshaled industry opposition to Microsoft during the browser wars, is joining PeopleSoft to fend off Oracle's takeover bid. June 26, 2003 |
The software maker says it will consider buying PeopleSoft even if the proposed merger with J.D. Edwards goes through--and more acquisitions may be in the cards.
June 25, 2003
The software maker's customer advisory board issues a letter to consumers, asking them to show their support for the company as it battles a hostile bid from Oracle.
June 25, 2003
Representatives of state attorneys general throughout the nation discuss Oracle's bid for PeopleSoft, a move that could lead to greater antitrust resistance against the deal.
June 24, 2003
Speaking in London, Oracle's CEO leaves open the option to top the company's current $6.3 billion offer for rival PeopleSoft. "Never say never," he says.
June 24, 2003
A poll shows that J.D. Edwards customers back a merger with PeopleSoft but fear that they will have fewer options if Oracle's takeover bid for PeopleSoft succeeds.
June 23, 2003
news.context Is it serious, or is it just a ploy? Wharton experts examine why Oracle's Larry Ellison has decided that now's the right time for his company's hostile takeover bid for PeopleSoft.
June 23, 2003
Only a few investors have tendered shares in Oracle's hostile takeover bid for PeopleSoft, according to a top Oracle exec--but there won't be any rise in the price of its share offer.
June 20, 2003
The software maker's board of directors once again spurns Oracle's attempt to buy the company, saying that even though the price is higher, it's still not enough.
June 20, 2003
The business software developer's board has made changes to its severance policy that could give some executives three times their salary if it merges with PeopleSoft.
June 20, 2003
At CeBit America, PeopleSoft CEO Craig Conway talks up enterprise software and makes only a veiled reference to the hostile bid for his company.
June 19, 2003
Oracle will have to raise its increased offer for the business software maker even higher if it wants to succeed, investors say.
June 18, 2003
Oracle has raised its takeover bid for PeopleSoft to $19.50 per share, valuing the software company at $6.3 billion, in the latest twist in the highly charged software industry saga.
June 18, 2003
perspective CNET's Dan Farber was on hand to get an earful from SAP supervisory board Chairman Hasso Plattner, who thinks Oracle's acquisition plan will set in motion big changes in the software industry.
June 18, 2003
Citing a potential "terrible waste of time and money," the state plans to file an antitrust suit in order to block Oracle?s proposed buyout of PeopleSoft.
June 18, 2003
The company is offering money-back guarantees to prevent customers from fleeing to rivals, according to sources.
June 17, 2003
The switch from an all-stock deal to a stock-and-cash transaction is viewed as an attempt to fend off Oracle.
June 16, 2003
In a letter sent to all customers and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Conway characterizes Oracle's bid as "predatory" and asks customers to stand by his company.
June 16, 2003
Conway's "golden parachute" was enhanced a month before Oracle launched its bid.
June 13, 2003
PeopleSoft seeks an injunction preventing Oracle from proceeding with its $16-a-share bid.
June 13, 2003
perspective The rivalry between CEOs Ellison and Conway eclipses the real subtext to the struggle for PeopleSoft: the coming competition between Oracle and Microsoft for who's going to be No. 1 with enterprise customers.
June 13, 2003
The $1.7 billion suit claims that the database maker has illegally interfered in Edwards' proposed merger with PeopleSoft.
June 12, 2003
PeopleSoft's board of directors unanimously recommends that stockholders reject Oracle's takeover offer and reaffirms its commitment to the J.D. Edwards deal.
June 12, 2003
Fourth-quarter earnings beat analysts' expectations, and Ellison maintains he is offering a fair price for PeopleSoft.
June 12, 2003
Oracle's attempt at a hostile takeover of its rival is yet more evidence of the database giant's struggles to find solid footing in the applications marketplace.
June 12, 2003
PeopleSoft files plans with the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission.
June 12, 2003
The company's hostile bid will expire early next month, but Oracle expects to extend the offer.
June 9, 2003
update Oracle announces a surprise $5.1 billion takeover bid for the enterprise-software maker, just days after PeopleSoft said it was acquiring rival J.D. Edwards.
June 6, 2003
Now that PeopleSoft has been put into play, the rumor mill is in overdrive--with IBM, SAP and Microsoft all mentioned as possible bidders.
June 6, 2003
IT executives using PeopleSoft products try to make sense of the proposed buyout. A big worry: What will happen to customer support?
June 6, 2003
news.commentary Over the next few weeks, PeopleSoft's shareholders will decide the fate of Oracle's hostile takeover effort. What's clear is that if the bid succeeds, customers will lose.
June 9, 2003
PeopleSoft's decision earlier this week to swallow J.D. Edwards led Oracle to launch its hostile takeover of the software maker, many analysts say. But why?
June 6, 2003
Oracle's bid may have prompted one reaction that Ellison wasn't counting on: PeopleSoft's stock shot up more than 20 percent.
June 6, 2003
update The $1.7 billion marriage would help PeopleSoft expand its business presence in manufacturing, distribution and asset-intensive industries.
June 2, 2003