Besides users looking to migrate as they switch from Unix systems to cheaper Linux-based hardware, IBM and SAP are also targeting users of Siebel, PeopleSoft or J.D. Edwards software. Those companies have all been acquired by Oracle in the last several years, and IBM and SAP hope to snag customers thinking of migrating -- despite promises from Oracle that they can continue to run non-Oracle middleware or databases.

One database administrator who runs SAP with Oracle Database on Unix hardware said the news would be unlikely to cause her firm to switch to DB2 "in the near term."

"We are running smoothly with Oracle, and our staff is very experienced with our current configuration," she said. Her employer had previously migrated its data warehouse from Oracle Database to DB2 Universal Database. The move saved money and DB2 was "a solid performer with excellent vendor support," but it also ruffled some feathers among the IT staff.

"If the DB2 price tag were considerably lower than Oracle, then we would look at it more closely. But we would also have to consider the cost of retraining our staff, hiring contractors, etc.," she said.

Spang did not disclose the price of the bundle, which customers will be able to buy from SAP or its channel partners, who will also provide support. New customers of mySAP All-In-One who get the latest version of DB2 will also get a free year of maintenance.