Sybase metamorphoses into a total solution

US-based software developer Sybase is reshaping itself as a "total solutions" provider, according to Eric Miles, vice president and general manager of the company's business intelligence divisions.

Long regarded as little more than a database company in Australia, Sybase has redefined itself as an ecommerce solutions provider with the launch of its Enterprise Portal (EP) this week.

According to Miles, the Sybase EP is the "first nonstop enterprise portal, ensuring continuous availability" to businesses on the web. The portal combines "integration and personalisation" into a 24 x 7 business application designed to let companies give their customers a "single gateway to personalised business information and applications", Miles said.

Pamela George, Sybase's vice president of corporate marketing, said the company planned to "stay focused" and partner with businesses aligned with Sybase's strategic objectives. While negotiations have not been finalised, the company said Australian candidates for its "e-Portal alliance" have been identified, and will include some of its current partners.

George said the Enterprise Portal, mobile and wireless markets, and vertical solutions were three areas of growth for the company.

She said the company's EP would be overseen by its 1400 service specialists and five solution centres around the world. The company also plans to launch further solution centres in cities such as Sydney and Tokyo in the not-too-distant future.

As part of its focus as a solutions provider, Sybase released the latest version of its mobile computing platform SQL Anywhere Studio 7. The platform is designed to enable businesses to make the most out of products and services, such as Sybase's EP, while on the move.

Meanwhile, 1999 was the most productive year per employee, and the second most profitable year in Sybase's history, George said.