Ample reasons

Oracle’s latest quarterly figures give ample explanation of why the software group is on an acquisition binge. The group has a long-term strategy to use its heft in the database market to support its move into applications software. But Oracle’s plans aren’t going smoothly, as the industry is rapidly maturing. So buying other companies, such as human resource powerhouse PeopleSoft and its newest acquisition, the retail-sector software company Retek, and cutting costs is a rational response. Orac...