Sybase Signs On To Microsoft VSIP Program

Sybase, which has seen its database market share eroded by Microsoft SQL Server, is joining Microsoft's VSIP developer program.

Dublin, Calif.-based Sybase is now officially part of the Microsoft Visual Studio Industry Partner program at its highest, or Premier, level. It also claims to have some partner momentum of it's own, saying that the Sybase Developer Network has grown more than 30 percent in the past year.

"These are new, unique folks. Overall we have some 105,000 developers some with a focus on PowerBuilder, some on Pocket PowerBuilder mobile aspects, some on the enterprise database," said Patrick Enright, director of partner development for Sybase.

Enright said the number of developers making use of Sybase' CodeXchange online forum resources has grown 70 percent year over year.

As part of the VSIP deal, Sybase's DataWindow.net will be linked into Visual Studio.Net 2003's IDE. In theory the thousands of developers using Microsoft's toolset can now program for Sybase's offerings, which include its enterprise database as well as SQL Anywhere mobile database.Sybase isn't the only database rival to go with the Visual Studio flow. Oracle, Redwood Shores, Calif., signed up at the premier VSIP level last March, and IBM some time before that.

Microsoft with its platform and applications lineup, has to walk a fine line between recruiting ISVs to write applications atop its operating systems, and fielding its own competitive applications as well. VSIP is one way the company's platform and tools group is trying to foster alliances and partnerships with the very companies that compete with other parts of the company.

Sybase also said it has bolstered is CodeXchange forum with new resources to foster wireless development provided by Sybase and partners Orange, o2, and AT&T Wireless/Cingular.