Alfred Chuang, BEA Systems

What it means: BEA is moving beyond Tuxedo, the widely used transaction-processing software, and its WebLogic app server. Now the company is pushing an integrated suite that consists of a new enterprise portal package, a Java 2 Enterprise Edition developer toolset, along with a Web services-centric app-server platform. The company's tools allow businesses to build interfaces to applications and tie disparate systems together. Chuang talks up the fact that BEA brought on 500 new customers in the first quarter, with names that include AOL Time Warner, Circuit City, Dell, Pfizer and Sprint PCS. And 13 of those deals were worth more than $1 million each.

VARBusiness' View: Two years ago, BEA appeared to be in the driver's seat. The company's app-server software was getting in the door in key IBM accounts because it was regarded as better-suited for robust transaction-oriented applications than early versions of WebSphere. Now IBM has leveled the playing field, both in terms of functionality and market share. While the company claimed in its most recent earnings report that WebLogic is still winning key deals over IBM's WebSphere, analysts say the continued decrease in BEA's license sales is a more accurate indicator of the company's plight. The company has good technology and boasts a remarkable customer list, but with its share price off about 75 percent since January, it wouldn't be surprising to see this company shift gears. It needs a better message for starters. Something more descriptive about its core value would help. As it stands, BEA resembles an acquisition candidate with good technology but weak branding.

Larry Ellison, Oracle