Oracle to Acquire PLM Provider Agile

Database technology giant aims to create best-in-class, integrated, enterprise-wide solution.

Database technology developer Oracle announced yesterday that it has agreed to acquire Agile Software, a provider of PLM (product lifecycle management) software solutions, through a cash merger for $8.10 per share, or approximately $495 million.

The acquisition will establish the leading best-in-class, integrated, enterprise PLM solution in the industry, according to a statement by Agile. Additionally, Oracle reports that its commitment to open standards-based integration will enable users of other enterprise applications to use Agile's best-in-class capabilities.

An Oracle press release describes PLM as evolving into an enterprise-wide discipline that spans multiple product design systems and interacts with a wide range of enterprise applications to manage the complete product lifecycle, from concept and design to production, sales and service.

"Profitable product innovation is critical to product-based industries, making PLM one of the fastest growing application segments," said Oracle President Charles Phillips. "The addition of Agile, which will serve as the foundation of our PLM offering, will further Oracle's strategy of delivering industry-specific enterprise applications and allow us to offer yet another strategic application to SAP customers."

Agile CEO Jay Fulcher added, "With over 1,250 PLM customers and over 10,000 visualization customers globally, Agile has a proven track record of rapid, successful implementations integrated to a wide range of ERP and CAD systems. By becoming part of Oracle we can bring Agile's solutions to a wider audience and accelerate the advance of Enterprise PLM."

The merger is subject to stockholder and regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in mid- to late July, according to Oracle. More information is available at http://www.oracle.com/Agile.

Agile's PLM solutions help engineers, manufacturing and supply chain professionals and business executives drive the product innovation and introduction process, share product specifications and configurations and collaborate effectively across the supply chain in a variety of industries, including high-tech, life sciences, industrial manufacturing and consumer packaged goods. Agile's solutions are designed to help customers make better product portfolio decisions, accelerate new product introduction, improve manufacturing quality and manage regulatory compliance. Customers of Agile include Acer, Flextronics International, GE Medical Systems, Harris, Heinz, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, McDonald's, Micron, QUALCOMM, Shell and ZF.

Agile also develops collaborative visualization solutions for the AEC, engineering, manufacturing and electronics industries.