Oracle has promised users of its JD Edwards, PeopleSoft and Siebel suites that it will continue to update the applications beyond 2013.

The database vendor's forthcoming Fusion suite is scheduled to replace all its existing products by 2008. Support for the current versions was initially scheduled to cease by 2013.

But Oracle has extended these deadlines as part of its 'Applications Unlimited' programme, and promised customers more information on future product roadmaps.

"With today's announcement, we are giving customers the best of both worlds: more value from existing applications, which we plan to enhance indefinitely, and an option to upgrade free-of-charge to future technologies, if customers have a business case to do so," said Oracle president Charles Phillips.

By promising to continue to enhance the existing suites, Oracle claims to be removing the need for customers to upgrade. Large enterprises with offices spread out over the world could feel rushed by the 2013 date.

Rival enterprise software maker SAP has used the pending upgrade to lure Oracle users through a special programme that promises rebates and credits to defecting customers.

Oracle claims a total of 30,000 companies using its enterprise applications.