Sybase to Revamp Software Programs

Sybase Inc., trying to boost sales growth, will revamp its flagship database software product and most of its other programs this year, Chief Executive Mitchell Kertzman said. The lineup will include an improved version of SQL Server System 11, the company’s chief database software product, by the second or third quarter and a host of development tools to let customers more easily store and retrieve information in corporate databases, Kertzman said. Emeryville-based Sybase has been struggling because of increasing competition from its rivals Oracle Corp., Informix Corp. and Microsoft Corp. During the last year, Kertzman has trimmed Sybase’s product lines and cut hundreds of jobs to focus the company on its core database business. Sybase stock rose 50 cents to close at $16.50 on Nasdaq.