Oct/Nov 2006

As m.logistics closed for press, we were picking up news that Oracle had acquired SPL, the San Francisco-based international specialist in utility and public sector services and management. SPL in turn recently acquired the Sidewinder workforce management system, which it has just rebranded (Software news, page xx).

Oracle says the acquisition reinforces a drive into the public sector, bringing it a portfolio of new capabilities that range from billing and meter management to mobile workforce management. Within the Oracle universe SPL will sit alongside Siebel, which has brought Oracle complementary expertise in customer service management.

Initially it looks as though the SPL business unit will be retained as an entity, although there is also talk of integration, so the eventual shape of the organisation is not clear.