In addition to its SleepyCat open-source database acquisition announcement on Feb. 14, Oracle also said it would divest its OnTarget business unit, which it acquired when it bought Siebel Systems on Jan. 31.
OnTarget, itself acquired by Siebel for $259 million about seven years ago, provides a suite of training programs and professional services for sales and marketing implementations.
But while Oracle plans to standardize on Siebels CRM (customer relationship management) technology in its next-generation Fusion CRM line, it doesnt believe OnTargets products are a good fit.
“Oracle believes that for the right company, OnTarget is a very valuable asset,” said Douglas Kehring, senior vice president of Corporate Development at Oracle, in a statement.
Kehring said “numerous parties” have already expressed interest in acquiring the operation, but provided few illuminating details as to who those suitors might be. He did, however, provide a general timeline.
“We expect to complete the divestiture this spring,” said Kehring, in Redwood Shores, Calif.
OnTarget, which focuses on implementing sales processes and methodologies, has about 500 clients. Its customers reside primarily in the high tech, telecommunications and business services vertical markets.