IBM assurances on Informix purchase

By ADAM GIFFORD

IBM is moving quickly to assure Informix database users that they have nothing to fear from its $US1 billion ($2.4 billion) purchase of Informix Corporation's database business.

The deal has implications for many local organisations, including Land Information New Zealand, which is building its $150 million Landonline system on an Informix database.

Analysts Meta Group have advised Informix users to start planning to go to another database within two to three years. They have the choice of IBM's DB2 database, Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server.

But Peter Graham, who leads IBM's data-management software business unit for Australia and New Zealand, said that was not good advice.

"We intend to stand by our new customers and to support the full range of Informix products for the foreseeable future."

The acquisition is expected to be completed by the third quarter, depending on approval by Informix shareholders and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr Graham said IBM intended to employ almost all Informix staff, including the 10 in New Zealand.