And its CEO Larry Ellison has not stop there

There is something changed in SAP. The world leader in management software packages will pay $ 5.8 billion (or 4.6 billion) to buy the American company Sybase, specializing in mobile applications for companies ("Les Echos" from May 14). A size operation, for a group known for its prudence and his appetite measured in terms of acquisitions.

If it materializes - shareholders have yet to give their approval-, it would be the second largest acquisition in the history of the German group, after the purchase of French Business Objects in 2007 to EUR 4.8 billion. Would SAP be converting to little by little to the mode of the cherished external growth to rival Oracle, and other giants of the computer industry like IBM

The market is in a full consolidation. And the German group must necessarily participate in the movement if he does not want to keep pace. "On the market of management software, offers is to trivialize, says Mathieu Poujol, consultant to the firm Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC). Organic growth is no longer enough. Therefore, to seek market otherwise. "External growth is obviously part of the options, while SAP saw its world market share back in 2009. On one of its main businesses - business intelligence - it has been reduced by 23.4 to 22.4, according to Gartner.

Bulimia of Oracle

This strategy is implemented for several years already by his "best" enemy Oracle. The American software publisher has mastered the art of acquisitions: in five years, one of the stars of Silicon Valley has swallowed 64 companies for a total amount of about $ 42 billion. And its CEO, Larry Ellison, has not stop there. In an interview with the Reuters news agency, Thursday, May 13, he promised "new acquisitions in very many areas, and not only in the database."

The buyout of Sun in 2009, for $ 7.4 billion, was surprised. Oracle, software specialist, put one foot in the world of computer servers. The operation had however allowed the group to build a more comprehensive offering for its customers. "This allows Oracle to be more and more in competition with groups such as IBM," observed Larry Ellison.

The Sybase acquisition is a strategic interest for SAP. The editor, so far, proposing particularly solutions for fixed terminals will be able to develop mobile applications market. "It is the market of the future in the segment of the databases," predicted Yvonne Genesis, analyst, Gartner. Technological innovations encourage decision-making computer players to acquire new skills. With Sybase, SAP will also go to the conquest of new clients in the financial sector and telecoms, where it is still not present.

The question is, now, if the German group will be able to successfully integrate this new entity. "SAP is not a procurement-oriented corporate culture," said Mathieu Poujol, unlike Oracle, whose structure was revamped a few years ago to integrate new businesses. Three years after the acquisition of Business Objects, integration in SAP is not yet completed, and the potential for synergies between the two companies can still be improved. New branch Presidents put in place at the beginning of year and incorporated the American Bill McDermott and Jim Snabe Danish, could speed up the process. The duo, bercé culture the culture of American company, would be more inclined to make large acquisitions. He has just completed his first shot of brilliance. Others may follow.