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Rizka Arifianto wrote:
Microsoft to buy Red Hat?
Impossible?
OK. So anti-trust lawyers would have a field day but consider this -- the software giant is on an official spending spree and this is the best time to spread its wings ... to become the Coca Cola of the IT industry.
Like most successful companies in the FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) world, the Coca Cola Company has been extremely effective at diversifying both its brands and target audience.
Who would have thought that a mere carbonated soft drink could one day create a beverage powerhouse with nearly 400 brands in 200 countries? Under the umbrella of Coke came spinoffs like Vanilla Coke and Diet Coke for the health conscious. Sprite, Fanta, Lift and Powerade are also familiar names.
To compare Microsoft and Coca Cola may seem like an unbalanced juxtaposition but there are similarities. Microsoft has launched a "diet" version of Windows called Windows XP Starter Edition in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia and possibly India in future.
Microsoft is intent on growing, organically or otherwise. Since 1994, it has made 61 acquisitions and invested in 138 companies and there's no stopping now. In fact, the company's financial chief, John Connors, recently said big acquisitions are on the radar following its failed attempt at SAP.
And there are several opportunities to consider.
If Microsoft wants to expand its operating system empire, then a look at Linux vendors such as Red Hat might do the trick. Instead of a complete acquisition -- since authorities are bound to play the anti-competitive card -- Microsoft can also consider acquiring a stake in the Linux vendor.
If this proves too much of a barrier, then Microsoft might consider developing its own Linux operating system. It definitely has the marketing muscle and R&D dollars to pursue it. Whether it fits into the company's overall strategy is another question.
Another target could be Oracle.
Since SQL Server has a leading share in the mid-sized market, Oracle would fill the enterprise database gap for Microsoft. As a sweetener, since Oracle has a majority stake in Japan's Miracle Linux -- which co-developed the Asianux 1.0 Linux operating environment -- this would give Microsoft a backdoor into a potentially lucrative market.
Storage vendors such as EMC and Veritas could also be takeover targets. If MSN wants to tighten its stranglehold on the Internet sector, a likely candidate would be Yahoo. And what about online auctions? Should eBay be concerned?
To these companies, the Redmond giant is a bitter enemy. But armed with a black cheque, Microsoft could prove even more fatal.
/Which company do you think might be acquired by Microsoft? Any Australian candidates? Let us know at [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]:Microsoft%20targets> /.
Fran Foo Editor, Insight
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