Oracle to sell computer hardware for first time

27 September 2008, 12:03pm

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - For the first time in its 31-year history, Oracle Corp. is selling computer hardware.

The expansion announced Wednesday by Chief Executive Larry Ellison calls for Oracle's sales team to peddle a "database machine" and a smaller storage product, both made by Hewlett-Packard Co. Both pieces of hardware are designed to help companies fetch information stored on Oracle's database software more quickly while taking up less space in corporate data centers.

Ellison unveiled the products - in development for three years - at an Oracle customer conference attended by nearly 43,000 people.
The database machine will sell for $650,000 and store up to 168 terabytes. With the move, Oracle hopes to undercut other hardware makers that sell so-called "data warehouse appliances."

In the past, Oracle has broadened its selection of software applications, in order to appeal to corporate customers who want to buy as many programs as possible from a single vendor. In the last 4 years, the firm spent more than $35 billion to acquire about 50 other software vendors.

Source: Based on press release, copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

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