NEW YORK (Business Wire) -- The 451 Group found that open source databases have made their way into enterprise environments, and the use of open source database management systems is now widespread. But while open source databases have been widely deployed for Web-tier applications, there has been minimal adoption in the enterprise application tier. Adoption for enterprise applications is at this time limited to certain specific application workloads.
"Many open source proponents cite the database as an example of an open source software success story, assuming that the adoption of open source databases has been at the expense of proprietary incumbents Oracle, IBM and Microsoft," said Matthew Aslett, Analyst with The 451 Group and lead author of the report. "While there are isolated examples of open source databases replacing proprietary installations, the adoption of open source databases has not generally been at the expense of existing deployments. Open source databases have predominantly been deployed to avoid additional proprietary database licenses for new projects in specific application areas, such as in-house applications, single-function applications, customer-facing Web applications, and development and test environments."
The findings are discussed in a new report from The 451 Group, a New York-based technology-industry analyst company focused on the business of enterprise IT innovation. The report is part of the 451 Commercial Adoption of Open Source (CAOS) Research Service, which investigates both user experiences and vendor strategies as enterprise customers deploy open source software.
The revenue growth enjoyed by open source database vendors in recent years suggests that they pose a long-term threat to the established vendors, but in the short term the proprietary database vendors are under little threat from open source databases. Analysts at The 451 Group believe that in order for there to be increased adoption of open source databases at the enterprise application tier, a number of factors need to be addressed, including increased enterprise functionality, improved service and support offerings, proof that performance fears are misplaced, increased customer resistance to traditional database software licensing, and a move to Web-based architecture for internal applications.
"Existing open source database users are as likely to increase their adoption of proprietary database software in the next 12 months as they are to further their investment in open source," said Aslett.
The 60-page report, 'Turning the Tables? - The impact of open source on the enterprise database market,' was written by Matthew Aslett, together with Raven Zachary, Research Director, Open Source. This 451 CAOS report examines the adoption of open source database software to date and explores what barriers the open source vendors have to overcome to mount a meaningful long-term challenge to the 'big three.' The report also assesses the response of the incumbent vendors to the open source challenge, and includes a survey assessing the attitudes toward open source and proprietary databases among executives responsible for the procurement of database management systems.
Report orders
To learn more about this report, or to discuss developing a client relationship with The 451 Group, contact Simon Carruthers, Vice President of Research Services, via phone at 212-505-3030 x-103, or via e-mail at: simon.carruthers@the451group.com. Copies of the report can also be purchased by visiting: http://store.the451group.com/.
About the 451 Commercial Adoption of Open Source Research Service (CAOS)
The 451 Commercial Adoption of Open Source (CAOS) Research Service helps enterprise end users, software vendors and investors track and understand the opportunities and threats presented by open source. Its emphasis is on the advantages that open source methodologies offer, as well as the impact of consequent organizational, legal and cultural disruption. As part of the service, The 451 Group publishes six reports annually - each one examining a different issue and offering insight into user and vendor experiences. Additional features of the service include advisory services and a biweekly update of analysis and marketplace activity. The 451 Group also publishes a free blog for the enterprise open source community - 451 CAOS Theory - which can be found at: http://blogs.the451group.com/opensource/
About The 451 Group
The 451 Group is an independent technology-industry analyst company focused on the business of enterprise IT innovation. The company's analysts provide critical and timely insight into the market and competitive dynamics of innovation in emerging technology segments. Clients of the company - at vendor, investor, service-provider and end-user organizations - rely on 451 insight to support both strategic and tactical decision-making for competitive advantage.
The 451 Group is headquartered in New York, with offices in key locations, including San Francisco, London and Boston. The company also operates Tier1 Research, an independent division of The 451 Group that analyzes the financial and industry implications of developments impacting public and private companies within the IT, communications and Internet sectors.
For additional information on The 451 Group or to apply for trial access to its services, go to: www.the451group.com
The 451 Group
Boston
Kim Kent, 617-261-0566
kim.kent@the451group.com
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