So here we are, in the midst of Salesforce.com's Dreamforce event in San Francisco, where the hosted CRM company today announced news of the release of its AppExchange sharing service, on a day when the news ALSO bring information about a merger between Oracle and Siebel. We've got bold words from Larry Ellison, subdued words from Tom Siebel, and a true zinger from Salesfore.com's CEO Marc Benioff (see Bob Liu's article containing Benioff's quote here: http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-oracle-siebel-analysis-salesforce-/2005/sep/1181280.htm)

I've also noticed today at least one news release detailing customers switching from Salesforce.com to Siebel, perhaps to counter news from Dreamforce: http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-flashbaycom-selects-siebel-crm-ondemand-over-salesforcecom-extend-/2005/sep/1180705.htm

This is turning into a drama reminiscent of the kind of thing that goes on back stage at operas in the diva's dressing room. Though no shoes have been thrown yet, I'll keep my head tucked in just in case.

Read my take on the issue more fully here: http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2005/Sep/1181349.htm

TES