Oracle stunned everyone last week when it named former Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd as president. Equally stunning was the unexpected departure of Oracle president Charles Phillips, whom Hurd is replacing. Oracle is no longer just a software developer, but a full systems vendor with its newly acquired hardware server and storage products from its $7.3 billion buyout of Sun. The thinking seems to be that Hurd has more experience in managing a big company with broad hardware and software product lines. "I think it's a smart move," said Suresh Babu, vice president and general manager for manufacturing and life sciences at Sierra Atlantic, a major Oracle channel partner, of Hurd's appointment. During an earnings call Thursday Hurd said his goal is to aggressively grow Oracle's systems business. At Oracle OpenWorld customers and solution providers will be looking for more details about his vision for Oracle and how the channel fits into those plans.