By Dawn Kawamoto
Wednesday, September 21 2005 11:22 AM
URL: http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/software/0,39044164,39256355,00.htm

Oracle announced Tuesday that it plans to buy G-Log, a maker of logistics and transportation management software, in a move to fill out its product portfolio with niche players.

G-Log, a privately held company based in King of Prussia, Pa., develops software designed to help companies analyze all aspects of their supply chain by combining logistics processes, data and analysis. For Oracle, the deal is the latest in a string of acquisitions--from its hostile takeover of PeopleSoft to its pending acquisition of Siebel Systems.

Outside of the megadeals such as the PeopleSoft and Siebel acquisitions, business Oracle has been also on the prowl for smaller players that will provider greater depth in crucial industries. Earlier this year, Oracle won a bidding war against SAP for retail software provider Retek.

"Retek gave us a lot of ideas that we're applying to other" vertical industries, Charles Phillips, Oracle co-president, said during a press conference Monday at Oracle OpenWorld in San Francisco.

He noted that transportation management and logistics management are among the areas in which Oracle has an interest for filling out its product portfolio via more acquisitions.

More than 50 percent of G-Log's customers use Oracle applications.

"The acquisition of G-Log will allow Oracle to offer a comprehensive supply chain and logistics management solution through which companies can better manage their global supply chains," Rick Jewell, Oracle senior vice president of applications development, said in a statement.

Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close by year's end.