The strategic intent has been to triangulate between business strategy, algorithmic math, and database structures to develop software tools that can change decisions to measurably increase shareholder value.

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Ballmer said the shift to online software and services will mean changes for all of Microsoft's businesses, which range from desktop productivity tools to database and e-mail server software.

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On Sun's part, the acquisition gives the server and software company a database offering that is capable of storing and manipulating the information used by its software tools, a role it has largely handed to Oracle.

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Oracle, the database-software behemoth, is buying Sun Microsystems, which sells big computers as well as software ranging from Java tools to open-source databases.

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