Microsoft Lures PeopleSoft Customers
As the books close on its merger with PeopleSoft, Oracle may have another battle looming - this time with Redmond. Microsoft is hoping to benefit from PeopleSoft customers uneasy with their new parent company by offering a discounted migration path onto Microsoft Business Solutions.
The PeopleSoft migration program provides technology for moving data to Microsoft's platform, discounts on software and services, and what Redmond calls "strategic guidance." Migration customers will receive a 25 percent discount on software, as well as a 25 percent discount on the first year of support.
Customers of PeopleSoft World and EnterpriseOne can utilize Microsoft Business Solutions-Axapta, while Enterprise users can easily migrate to Microsoft Business Solutions-Great Plains, according to the company.
The bitter and drawn-out merger has opened to door for Microsoft to capitalize on customers who feel stranded by PeopleSoft and worry about what the future may hold. In mid-December, Microsoft Watch reported that corporate vice president Bill Veghte sent an e-mail letter to PeopleSoft customers, urging them to consider Microsoft's Windows platform over Oracle's UNIX offerings.
For its part, Oracle has no qualms regarding PeopleSoft's new position, which has only intensified concerns from customers. In a statement to the press, the company said: "following the merger, PeopleSoft will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oracle."
Oracle will support PeopleSoft's current and next software releases, but plans to develop a hybrid system that merges pieces of PeopleSoft into Oracle's platform. Migration will be free, as long as a customer's software is up to date.
"Businesses that use PeopleSoft technology are facing some difficult choices today, and we're committed to providing them with the best options for moving forward," said Microsoft senior vice president Doug Burgum. "Today's announcement is evidence of our ongoing commitment to working closely with PeopleSoft customers and partners to help them migrate to Microsoft Business Solutions."