Sybase Expands Mobile Reach

Sybase, a leading mobile database software house, late last month announced its intent to buy AvantGo for roughly $38 million. The cash deal, subject to approval by AvantGo shareholders, is expected to be completed in the next quarter, executives said.

AvantGo, Hayward, Calif., offers offline Web capabilities and an enterprise mobile software platform called MyAvantGo service.

Sybase's iAnywhere Solutions subsidiary offers a mobile database and synchronization capabilities. Its SQL Anywhere Studio offers mobile, remote, embedded and workgroup database solutions for vertical industries including field service, transportation, retail, utilities, financial services, health care and government.

With the two leading mobile/wireless middleware offerings combined, iAnywhere Solutions will be able to offer an end-to-end mobile business platform including access to MyAvantGo.

Founded in 1997, AvantGo lists almost 40 of the Fortune 100 companies as customers, including Cisco Systems, CNN, Federal Express, Ford Motor and McKesson. The company also claims to have 7 million registered AvantGo service users.

According to a recent market report by Gartner, Sybase increased its share of the mobile database management systems market to 73 percent in 2001 from 68 percent in 2000.

One consultant said the AvantGo addition will give Sybase customers a more robust mobile enterprise platform and access to a hosted service, which will expand the vendor's access to corporate data from remote locations.

"Almost every customer in any company would be interested in mobile [support," said Rick Chase, a systems consultant at MicroCount, San Francisco. "Organizations want their employees working around the clock anywhere, anytime."

Upon completion of the deal, AvantGo's products and service will be available through Sybase's worldwide channels and 700 database partners.

The Sybase/AvantGo deal is one of two major database acquisitions announced last month. Business intelligence software leader Cognos also announced plans to buy privately held Adaytum in a $160 million deal. Minneapolis-based Adaytum provides enterprise performance planning (EPP) software. With the acquisition, Cognos aims to become a leader in the corporate performance management software market.