Oracle on Monday announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire RightNow Technologies, a provider of web based customer service software, for $1.43 billion, in a move that will expand the technology giant’s footprint in the cloud. Together, Oracle and RightNow can enable a superior customer experience at every contact and across every channel.

The acquisition is part of a larger push by the company to build out its so-called cloud-based software services, which are available remotely via the Web. The deal marks the first time Oracle has bought a company that sells application programs accessed primarily over the Internet, a segment known as software as a service.


The transaction is expected to close by late 2011 or early 2012, subject to RightNow stockholder approval, certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

“Oracle is moving aggressively to offer customers a full range of cloud solutions including sales force automation, human resources, talent management, social networking, databases and Java as part of the Oracle Public Cloud,” Thomas Kurian, Oracle’s executive vice president for development, said in a statement on Monday.

"RightNow’s products add leading customer experience capabilities that help empower companies to interact with and provide a consistent experience to customers across channels," said Greg Gianforte, CEO, RightNow. "We look forward to combining our complementary capabilities along with maintaining and expanding our presence in Bozeman, Montana in order to better service our customers."