Oracle is buying product lifecycle management (PLM) specialist Agile Software in a deal likely to result in an overhaul of its existing PLM suite.

The database giant, which has bought more than 30 companies in three years, is spending $495m, or $8.10 per share, for Agile. It hopes the purchase will squeeze SAP.

The deal serves up Oracle 1,250 Agile PLM customers, with Agile expected to announce a 12 per cent increase in revenue to between $37m and $38m for its fourth quarter.

Oracle president Charles Philips said in a statement Agile will serve as the foundation for Oracle's PLM offering while furthering the strategy of delivering industry specific enterprise applications.

Oracle's existing PLM suite spans CAD, project collaboration, project management and sourcing, and is available through eBusiness Suite. The suite provides a unified data model for a single view of the product from inception through to design, delivery and service.

Agile said in a statement that Oracle's embrace meant it could serve a wider audience and "accelerate the advance of enterprise PLM."®

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