The communications sector received shocking news today, with the realization and confirmation of the hitherto uncertain rumors of the next purchase of Digium - Asterisk by Oracle.
Some weeks ago we heard the growing buzz Digium acquisition by major industry. Although in principle the rumors pointed strongly to IBM (remember that a few months ago IBM made clear its commitment to Asterisk through its SmartCube, an integrated Asterisk with Sametime and began distributing its official channel partners, and which offered not only marketing but advanced support through its premium service support), seems to confirm that the final bid, Oracle has been with the company by surprise, and that IBM has withdrawn from the bidding (sources inside the company have externalized that investment would have exceeded what is reasonable and that it was more reasonable to complement its product range sametime with a self-fulfilling PBX product, which already has a working time, which will also cross-platform and is supported by Sangoma) .
Pending the official release scheduled for Digium-Oracle later today, yet the figures are unclear, although adventure that the purchase price is somewhat higher than that devoted to Oracle's recent purchase of Sun Solaris. In this way, the company enhances its solution as well as desktop software, a solution would side with communications, something that would help advance their unified communications strategy, and stand up to Microsoft OCS.
Oracle certainly is, ultimately, betting very heavily, through the acquisition of third party companies are positioned to stand against both Microsoft and IBM through a portfolio that covers from the operating system (Solaris already has, and surely some think for), desktop (Open Office) and Communications (now Asterisk), and over, a solid layer in programming (Java, and even by this means, mobile devices, such as Android) and of course, databases.
I will not hide that I expected something like this (for weeks that strong rumors are heard about it.) It was somewhat predictable, as it nicely complements Digium desktop solutions from IBM, Oracle and many others, you can rely on it to give a solution (especially IBM Sametime linking it with its fantastic) ... but I am surprised that Oracle get ahead of IBM, who has long been closely following Asterisk ... ... Surely this is not the last move, and would soon see the industry reaction .... Hopefully Oracle, at least respect the "spirit" of Asterisk, and this follow its previous path of openness and reflexivity ...
UPDATE: We already have the Digium first impressions on the subject, and we can also find more information on the subject here and here
I can't wait!
Phone System 