Google, Yahoo software moves may fuel Microsoft bid

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Agree with you in part

What a screwy headline. The article was about Zimbra.

You are way on the mark there. The headline doesn't match the story at all, and even the story has some wholes in it. Zimbra doesn't compete with Outlook as in the email client; it competes with Exchange Server and it's Outlook branded webmail. This is something MS would definitely like to trash, or at least part out and incorporate into their own products.

So the servers never need software to be installed and security patches applied?

Actually, that is correct. Postini and Google Apps are Software as a Service. Since it is not hosted on your servers, you don't have to worry about installs, upgrades, and patches unless you right something yourself using their APIs. Then you only need to worry about it if there is a change to the API. All other patches are done by Google, so you don't have to think about it.

I don't think Google is really running scared. If anything, they would benefit as one competitor disappears, and people who are dissatisfied with Microsoft and changes they will eventually make look to alternatives, which include Google. I'm sure if they could get away with it, Google might have even made a bid themselves. The thing is they know what's wrong with this picture because it would be the same if they put the bid out themselves: way to much overlap with competing products. I'm sure there are other reasons as well, such as a backhanded slap from Google to MS for messing with the Double-Click buy (a reason that would be a bit on the dirty side as you said).

No matter what, when the #2 guy and the #3 guy try to merge via friendly or hostile takeover, you better believe everyone will take notice, especially the #1 guy, no matter what the business is. I'm sure SAP or Microsoft didn't just sit back when Oracle went on it's acquisition of Peoplesoft. It's just business.

It's the case "The enemy of your enemy is your friend" and "the lesser of two evils" rolled into one. Not to say Yahoo! will go with Google's help, as we don't know what other options they have or what anti-takover "poison pills" they have implemented. Until Yahoo says "this is what were going to do", it's all speculation.

Posted by: jheine   Posted on: 02/05/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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