Peoplesoft wins Sybase approval

Sybase has extended its channel presence by appointing Peoplesoft as its first open solution platinum partner.

The programme, said Sybase UK MD Colin Tenwick, is intended to encourage the growth of third-party applications for the corporate market.

The programme has three classifications and will apply to systems integrators, commercial application partners and Vars. Platinum accreditation means that both companies will work closely together.

Mark Lane, European marketing director at Peoplesoft, said his company was attracted to Sybase because it believed its technology was scalable.

'By gaining greater access to Sybase's consultancy and support,' he said, 'we are predicting an exponential growth in business over the next six months.' He said the accreditation was like getting an American Express card.

The move is a response to other companies' success in using third parties to sell and develop products.

In the past, Sybase used a largely direct rather than indirect approach.