Microsoft Courts eBay
Microsoft and online auction firm eBay have formed an e-commerce partnership to gain wider acceptance for their Internet technologies. EBay will support Microsofts software-as-a-service plan, .Net initiative, Passport Internet-authentication technology and Windows 2000 server. Microsoft, in turn,will integrate eBays marketplace technology into some of its online properties.
Novells New Network
Network software provider Novell will acquire consultant Cambridge Technology Partners in a share swap valued at about $266 million. As part of the deal, Novell Chief Executive Eric Schmidt will step aside into the chairmans seat to make room for Cambridges president and CEO, Jack Messman, in the Novell CEO role. Initial shareholder reaction to the combination was not positive.
Execs Jump Ship
Struggling Internet systems integrator marchFirst took another one on the chin last week when three top-level executives resigned. Chief Executive Robert Bernard, Chief Operating Officer Thomas Metz and Executive Vice President Joseph Bong all handed in their notices. The consultancy has been battling steep losses.