SAP calls time on TomorrowNow

German software giant SAP today said it would shut down its TomorrowNow subsidiary, following damaging legal action with rival Oracle.

TomorrrowNow provided third-party support for Oracle and other applications, and was bought by SAP in February 2005 as part of the German giant's effort to compete with US-headquartered Oracle.

However, SAP has been engaged in a long-running legal case with Oracle after TomorrowNow was accused of stealing corporate information, including software code, from Oracle.

"SAP is working directly with TomorrowNow's more than 225 current customers to help them return to support from Oracle for those customers on PeopleSoft, JD Edwards or Siebel applications, or to smoothly transition to new support options," said SAP in a statement today.

"Our goal is to assist our customers in transitioning to a new support provider, including Oracle, without a disruption to their support during the wind-down process," said Mark White, executive chairman of TomorrowNow.

SAP said it intended to conclude the wind-down process prior to 31 October.