IBM Set to Rally Netezza VARs Against Oracle Exadata

Written by The VAR Guy 1
November 15, 2010

IBM has completed its buyout of Netezza, a data warehousing and analytics specialist that has an established channel partner program. IBM is expected to position Netezza against Oracle's Exadata storage server business. Here are the potential implications for solutions providers.

IBM has completed its buyout of Netezza, a data warehousing and analytics specialist that has an established channel partner program. IBM is expected to position Netezza against Oracle’s Exadata storage server business. Here are the potential implications for solutions providers.

IBM announced plans to acquire Netezza in September 2010. The reason, according to Big Blue:

“A recent Global IBM Study revealed that 83 percent of CIO’s identified analytics as a top priority. The combined strengths of IBM and Netezza are a key differentiator at a time when organizations of all sizes are looking to gain more insight from their business information.”

So where do channel partners fit in? IBM says Netezza will be integrated into Big Blue’s Information Management software portfolio. No doubt, Netezza has an established channel partner program featuring systems integrators, resellers, solution providers and OEMs. Looking ahead, it’s clear IBM and Netezza plan to gang up against Oracle’s Exadata business. Already, Netezza is offering a PDF that compares the Netezza TwinFin solution to the Oracle Exadata lineup.

Interesting PDF. But competing against Oracle Exadata won’t be easy. CEO Larry Ellison in September 2010 said Exadata’s business pipeline exceeded $1.5 billion, up from $1 billion the previous quarter. Pretty freakin’ impressive — though it’s difficult to project how much of that revenue Oracle will actually book… and how soon. But The VAR Guy rarely bets against Mr. Ellison.

Still, The VAR Guy will be watching the IBM-Netezza combo closely. Showdowns between Big Blue and Oracle are rarely boring…

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