Oracle entered a new software market Wednesday by announcing new e-mail, calendar and messaging software--a market dominated by Microsoft. The new "collaboration" software will allow businesses to manage e-mail, voice mail, schedules, as well as hold Web-based meetings, and will allow employees to sync their information to wireless handheld devices. It is a combination of new and previously released Oracle technology and runs on top of Oracle's flagship 9i database software. "We take all (customers') data and manage their data assets in one place," Oracle Chief Executive Larry Ellison said Wednesday at a financial analysts meeting at the company's headquarters.

The collaboration software, available later this year, is the latest piece in Oracle's growing software arsenal. Besides its database software, Oracle sells application-server software; technology that runs e-business and Web site operations; and its 11i eBusiness Suite, software that automates a company's financial, human resources, customer service and manufacturing operations.