According to independent tech research firm 451 Group, SAP (NYSE: SAP) has been trying to sell off its TomorrowNow division since January. Unfortunately, there were no bidders. As a result, SAP has decided to shut down the business.SAP purchased TomorrowNow in 2005. It looked like a smart deal. After all, the company developed systems to make it easier to use alternatives to Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL)'s maintenance customers (known as the Safe Passage Program).
So why the dearth of interest for TomorrowNow? Well, Oracle filed a lawsuit against the company in March 2007. The allegation was that TomorrowNow made improper downloads from Oracle's servers.
No doubt, such a thing can be scary for any possible suitor.
The irony is that TomorrowNow customers – which amount to about 225 – will probably have no choice but to return to Oracle.
Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook
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