Microsoft, SAP: Web services deal followed failed merger bid- ADTmag.com

Microsoft, SAP: Web services deal followed failed merger bid- ADTmag.com "Broken discussions on a Microsoft-SAP merger, confirmed this week, did not prevent the two companies from trying to knit together .NET and NetWeaver.
Before an anticipated disclosure by the DoJ forced Microsoft and SAP to come clean on their now aborted merger talks, the two companies announced “a significant expansion of their long-standing relationship.” Putting aside whatever ups and downs accompanied their merger negotiations late last year, Microsoft and SAP shared a 10-year plan for cooperation with SAP customers at Sapphire ’04 in New Orleans last month.
...
SAP’s long-standing Unix bias may be shifting. The Sapphire announcement noted: “More than 40,000 SAP installations run on Microsoft Windows -- more than all other platforms combined. Almost two-thirds of all new SAP installations are deployed on Microsoft Windows.”

Oracle should add this to the list of opportunity costs associated with its PeopleSoft acquisition attempt...