This is going to be fun...
As a software product manager focused on the distribution and eStore channels, I'm really excited to see this acquisition of Sybase.
By getting a database of this calibre in our kit bag, this opens up some exciting possibilities to bundle BI with Sybase database technologies to provide more value to our mutual customer base.
Sybase customers will likely see BI improvements across their product line, and SAP BusinessObjects/SAP Crystal Solutions customers will likely see world class database technology included or made available across this product line.
It's way to early to predict any specifics of what form the integration might take. Stuff might be bundled together, or sold separately while being more tightly integrated. Reality will probably be a bit of both. We aren't allowed to talk to Sybase folks until the deal closes, so everything here is pure speculation.
However the product and channel synergies between the database and BI businesses are real, obvious, and exciting. And I haven't even wrapped my head around the mobile offerings yet!
I'm sure that the SAP BusinessObjects/SAP Crystal Solutions portfolio will continue its focus on open data access, regardless if you're using SAP BW, Sybase, Oracle, SQL Server, or anything else to store your data.
