PeopleSoft switches to the here and 'Now'

PeopleSoft has launched its EMEA customer conference by extending the 'Now' US customer upgrade incentive programme for new product releases.

The PeopleSoft Connect event opened in London yesterday following news that the company's board of directors had ousted Craig Conway as chief executive last Friday, replacing him with founder and former chief Dave Duffield.

Oracle's ongoing $7.7bn hostile takeover bid for PeopleSoft was very much off the agenda, which concentrated instead on the new deal for EMEA customers.

"We are committed to expanding our presence in Europe in services, to expanding our channel infrastructure and the announcement of the Now programme to help customers migrate to new products more easily," said international executive vice president Guy Dubois.

The deal includes a free technical upgrade from a local PeopleSoft Solution Centre, and a credit of €80,000 on new application software licences valued at €160,000 for all PeopleSoft Enterprise, EnterpriseOne and World customers signing contracts before the end of this year.

Free application management services will be included for three months after a project goes live from the first quarter of next year, and the incentive also offers a year's free educational 'Passports' for five project team members.

PeopleSoft was also keen to discuss its third-quarter results. "I would like to stress how well we are executing on our new momentum," said Dubois.

The vendor expects third-quarter licence revenues of $155m to $165m and total revenue in the region of $680m to $695m.