MySQL today stopped being a reseller for MaxDB, the database formerly known as SAP DB. MySQL, best known for its eponymous open source database software, had been a reseller and developer of MaxDB since 2003. Presumably this was at a time when SAP didn't consider the product to be so very important.

SAP now wants everything back under one roof, possibly because MaxDB powers SAP Business ByDesign, the company's new on-demand software suite, announced last month (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/20/sap_a1s_businessbydesign/). This represents a serious attempt for the enterprise software company to reach down to what it thinks are mid-sized companies - and what most other people think of as bloody big businesses. MaxDB is also used in the making of SAP Business Suite and SAP Business All-in-One.

SAP and MySQL remain kissing cousins. In today's announcement from SAP TechED '07 in Las Vegas they talk about moving to a new phase in their relationship. How so? MySQL is to optimize the MySQL Enterprise Server for the SAP NetWeaver platform. It doesn't say how it will optimize this, but Mark Burton, MySQL's head of sales, says: "SAP and MySQL share a desire to deliver scalable and flexible software solutions that help empower enterprise IT organizations to quickly respond to their changing business dynamics."

Any the wiser? No? Then try this canned quote for size. It's from Nimish Mehta, senior vice president, Enterprise Information Management, SAP, who says the collaboration "will open up new paths for our customers to explore and unlock the transformative power of enterprise SOA".

Which is nice...we think...isn't it? ®

MySQL release (http://www.mysql.com/news-and-events/press-release/release_2007_40.html)

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