Analysts foretell Microsoft-Siebel pact
C|Net | at | by Mike
Microsoft and business software maker Siebel Systems are planning to announce a new marketing and development agreement next week that may involve the software giant making a minority investment in Siebel, securities analysts speculated this week. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at Siebel's annual user conference in Los Angeles on Monday. The two companies will reveal details about a financial agreement and exclusive development plans during Gates' appearance, according to Brent Thill and George Gilbert, analysts at investment research firm Credit Suisse First Boston.
Under the terms of the pending agreement, according to the report, Siebel has pledged exclusive support for components of Microsoft's next-generation Web services technology, called .Net Framework, in the next release of its popular customer relationship management (CRM) suite. Siebel will also invite Microsoft sales reps to meetings with its largest accounts, the report claims.