At a convention in San Francisco this month to mark Oracle's 30 years in business, founder and CEO Larry Ellison was asked what software firm the database leader plans to buy next.
"E-mail me and I'll tell you," he joked from the stage. "But you have to split the profits with me."
The exchange sums up the state of the enterprise software market, which is going through a phase of rapid consolidation.
Over the last few years, Oracle ORCL has bought up PeopleSoft, Siebel Systems, Hyperion Solutions and dozens more. Oracle's major rivals -- IBM (NYSE:IBM) IBM, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) MSFT and SAP SAP -- have been voracious acquirers as well.
Asked what competition will be left standing when he gets done with his acquisition spree, Ellison grew more serious.
