Oracle to expand range of web apps

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 1 May 2009 at 09:20

Oracle is planning to expand its range of business web apps, according to sources close to the company.

The source claims that Oracle is developing internet-based software to help businesses manage human resources functions, including employee recruitment.

The company is also expanding its line of customer relationship management (CRM) software which companies use to manage sales and marketing activities.

Those CRM programs compete with those from Salesforce.com, the biggest provider of software as a service (SAAS).

Oracle has briefed some industry analysts on its plans to expand its SAAS offerings, though it isn't clear when the products will be released. A spokeswoman for Oracle declined to comment.

Oracle Chief Executive Larry Ellison is a strong proponent of SAAS. Last year, he said that Oracle's small SAAS division had turned its first profit.

Ellison is also the founder and majority owner of NetSuite, a company that sells accounting programs to small and mid-sized businesses. He has told investors that Oracle's SAAS unit is one of its fastest-growing businesses.