The Week in Review: June 6

In the news... Fast on the heels of the PeopleSoft's intended acquisition of J.D. Edwards, Oracle today announced it has offered to buy PeopleSoft at a price of $5.1 billion. The deal would include Oracle completing a cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of PeopleSoft, valued at $16 per share. "The acquisition of PeopleSoft will immediately make Oracle an even more profitable and competitive company," Oracle Chairman and CEO Larry Ellison said in a statement. "Although we will not be actively selling PeopleSoft products to new customers, we will provide enhanced support for all PeopleSoft products. Furthermore, we will be incorporating the advanced features from the PeopleSoft products into future versions of the Oracle eBusiness Suite." PeopleSoft said on record that it had no immediate response to the offer. Siebel Systems this week announced its acquisition and integration of the assets of BoldFish, a permission-based, email-marketing solution provider. Siebel says it has integrated BoldFish's solutions into Siebel Email Marketing, an optional module available with the purchase of the Siebel Marketing suite. Interwoven, provider of content management solutions, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MediaBin, a digital asset management company. Interwoven says it plans to combine its products with MediaBin's to create a more comprehensive brand management solution. Specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed. QlikTech, a provider of business intelligence applications, has expanded its QlikStart fixed-price software and services program to include both its sales performance and a new accounts receivables analytics application. The QlikStart program includes licenses for 20 named Web users, one year of software upgrades and support, and implementation services, the company says. QlickTech says the program is available at a full 30-day, money back guaranteed fixed price of $39,900 for one of the two analytics applications, or $49,900 for both. Executive changes... UpShot this week announced that former Pivotal vice president Mike Shea has been named vice president of sales for UpShot's Eastern Region. SupportSoft, a provider of service and support automation software, announced Monday that Chris Grejtak has been appointed senior vice president of worldwide marketing and business development. Prior to SupportSoft, Grejtak was senior vice president of worldwide marketing for Portal Software, a billing solutions company. Epsilon, a provider of relationship marketing services, today announced the appointment of marketing industry veteran Dennis Driscoll as vice president and general manager in its Boston office. Analytics solutions provider Pilot Software has appointed Jonathan Becher as CEO and president. In addition, the company announced the appointment of J. Patrick Horner, founder of Electronic Data Systems' Government Systems Group and Perot Systems, to its board of directors.