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PeopleSoft Bears Linux Torch with IBM

Business software maker PeopleSoft Tuesday embraced Linux when it agreed to port its enterprise applications to Linux running on IBM hardware and software. In the strategic agreement with IBM, for which duration and financial details were not made public, PeopleSoft will use IBM eServer xSeries, DB2 Universal Database and WebSphere Application Server as the foundation […]

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CB

Clint Boulton

May 6, 2003

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Business software maker PeopleSoft
Tuesday embraced Linux when it agreed to port its enterprise applications to
Linux running on IBM hardware and software.

In the strategic agreement with IBM, for which duration and financial
details were not made public, PeopleSoft will use
IBM eServer xSeries, DB2 Universal Database and WebSphere Application Server
as the foundation for its Linux development platforms. PeopleSoft, which
makes customer relationship management and enterprise resource
planning
software, announced the partnership at a customer show in Las
Vegas.

IBM has been supporting Linux on its platforms since it embraced the
open-source approach a few years ago and pledged to pump
$1 billion into the endeavor. Big Blue aims to be the
leading infrastructure provider on which businesses can run Linux. This is a
lucrative prospect as many firms of different walks of IT life are turning
to Linux for its lower cost-of-ownership value proposition over proprietary operating systems from Microsoft or with different vendors’ versions of the Unix operating system.

The Linux hug is a first for the Pleasanton, Calif.-based PeopleSoft, whose
rivals Oracle and SAP have already embraced Linux in their strategies.

“Linux is ready for primetime,” said Rick Bergquist, chief technology
officer, PeopleSoft. “We’re teaming with IBM to deliver PeopleSoft
applications in a Linux environment which gives our customers greater choice
and is another milestone in our commitment to open standards.”

The PeopleSoft Web Server running Linux is ready now. The firm will launch a
full line of enterprise applications on Linux in the fourth quarter of 2003.
That effort will span the following PeopleSoft product lines: AppConnect,
Application Integration, Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise
Performance Management, Enterprise Service Automation, Financial Management
Solutions, Human Capital Management, Human Resources Management, Supplier
Relationship Management, and Supply
Chain Management.

Steve Mills, senior vice president and group executive, IBM Software Group,
said the pact represents the broadest commitment of an IBM partner to use
Linux hardware and software to date.