Sun Microsystems to Acquire MySQL, Developer of Open Source Database

By DE Editors

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MySQL AB (Cupertino, CA) — an open source developer of one of the world's fastest growing open source databases — for approximately $1 billion.

The acquisition accelerates Sun's position in enterprise IT to now include the $15 billion database market. The announcement reaffirms Sun's position as a provider of platforms for the Web economy and its role as the largest commercial open source contributor, the company release states.

With millions of global deployments such as Facebook, Google, Nokia, Baidu and China Mobile, MySQL will bring synergies to Sun that will drive new adoption of MySQL's open source database in more traditional applications and enterprises. The integration with Sun will greatly extend the commercial appeal of MySQL's offerings and improve its value proposition with the addition of Sun's global services organization. MySQL will also gain new distribution through Sun's channels including its OEM relationships with Intel, IBM and Dell.

The database from MySQL, OpenSolaris, and GlassFish, together with Sun's Java platform and NetBeans communities, will create a Web application platform across a wide range of customers shifting their applications to the Web. MySQL's open source database is deployed across all major operating systems, hardware vendors, geographies, industries and application types. The complementary product lineups will extend MySQL's database reach and are expected to bring new markets for Sun's systems, virtualization, middleware, and storage platforms.

For more information, please visit MySQL AB or contact Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.