Event Summary
"SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. - January 3, 2000 - Inprise Corporation (Nasdaq:
INPR) today announced that it plans to jump to the forefront of
the Linux database market by open-sourcing InterBase 6, the new
version of its cross-platform SQL database. Inprise plans to release
InterBase in open-source form for multiple platforms, including
Linux, Windows NT, and Solaris, make the database available at no
charge, and spin the InterBase division off into a separate company.
"Inprise will be taking a leadership role in the Open-Source movement
by releasing InterBase 6 under an open-source license. We are taking
this bold step because we believe every Linux distribution needs
InterBase," said Dale Fuller, interim CEO and president of Inprise
Corporation. "By open-sourcing InterBase, we will be unleashing
a world-class database for companies worldwide to develop and deploy
business-critical, mobile computing, and Internet-based applications
for multiple platforms, including Linux, Solaris, and Windows NT.
This is an amazing opportunity for Inprise, its customers and the
Open-Source community."
"Inprise open-sourcing InterBase is a step forward for software
users," said Eric S. Raymond, president of the Open Source Initiative.
"As open-source releases of operating systems and critical middleware
become the norm, Inprise's release will undoubtedly raise the quality
bar and customers will reap huge benefits in reliability, security,
and total cost of ownership."
The
source code for InterBase 6 is scheduled to be published during
the first part of the year 2000. The company also announced it plans
to continue to sell and support InterBase 5.6 through normal distribution
channels. Inprise plans to announce further details of its rollout
plans for the InterBase open-source project on its Web site."
Market
Impact
As customers increasingly recognize the importance of the open-source
movement, especially in light of the success of the Linux operating
system and the spectacular IPO's of VA Linux and Red Hat, this move
by Inprise/Borland is likely to have a strong market impact. Investors
have already shown their approval for the move, with shares of Inprise
closing up 26% to 13 15/16. Other small database vendors such as
Progress Software (whose version 8.3b database has been ported to
Red Hat Linux 6.0) will likely have to consider the move to open-source.
User
Recommendations
Customers considering database purchases should investigate the
importance of the open-source movement to their environment. There
may be compelling reasons why database customization is desirable.
Even if there is no need in the short term, circumstances may change
later in the development cycle. Customers using InterBase include
Boeing, MCI, NASA, and the U.S. Army, so support for the product
is sure to continue.
Events
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