Borland exec explains tools division reversal

15.11.2006

Borland has a much more open approach to ALM. Borland offers a choice of using our tools with your specific process versus the IBM approach, which is they try and force everyone to use their specific process, the Rational Unified Process. Whether you use WebSphere or WebLogic, or Fusion from Oracle or NetWeaver from SAP, we support all of those equally well. Rational focuses all their efforts on supporting WebSphere.

What has the reaction been from users to the decision to keep the tools group -- both on the ALM side and the developer side? We have a customer advisory board with 20 to 25 customers in North America ... that helps us with strategy. The feedback was positive because it showed Borland's commitment. We're not just going to dump our tools business. We're going to ensure it is taken care of. [Borland and CodeGear] do share customers. It is critical that we continue to support those customers.