Sybase Inc was yesterday claiming a stunning second chance victory over Oracle Corp as BellSouth Corp abandoned plans to use Oracle’s video-on-demand software in its planned trial in Chamblee, Georgia and decided instead to use Sybase’s Intermedia Server, Gain Momentum and Gain Interplay products. BellSouth is sticking with Hewlett-Packard Co’s server, so will be using the same hardware-software combination as Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (CI No 2,575). The software will be used to provide interactive services such as video on demand and interactive education to a network of 12,000 homes. Scientific-Atlanta Inc is providing television set-top boxes. BellSouth declined to say why the memorandum of understanding with Oracle had not converted into an order, but stressed that performance was not the issue. Oracle will still provide database management and billing systems software for the pilot trial.
