Adam White

I mentioned that I would post more about the acquisition of PlateSpin by Novell. I’ve been delayed in doing tihs because there isn’t that much to report. We are being told that it’s business as usual and that’s what it’s turning out to be. Novell hasn’t had a strong presence in the development area - although this isn’t true for other areas like sales and professional services (from what I can see). There hasn’t been any fall-out or mass exodus of employees. 

I’ve heard people talk about acquisitions like the exodus is the “norm” either because it’s a technology acquisition and the acquirer doesn’t keep the employees or because they are scared that will happen. There have been little rumors going around about this person or that person leaving but nothing can directly link to the acquisition.

 I only know of two examples of companies being left alone after being acquired - PlateSpin and a company called DWL (aquired by IBM). According to my roomate everything stayed pretty much the same after that acquisition.I’d love to hear from those of you have who have been through acquisitions - good and bad. Have you ever been part of an acquisition where the acquiring company said ” We aren’t going to touch anything” and that is exactly what happened?  On the flip side - what are the war stories that you might have