Mac News:

Microsoft Makes Database Play
November 07, 2005

Microsoft this week unveiled SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 for developers and enhanced BizTalk Server 2006, claiming the new software delivered "unprecedented integration" between server infrastructure and developer tools. The company said SQL Server 2005 and its database technology would allow reliable management of complex business applications.

ChoicePoint and Data Security
March 10, 2005

ChoicePoint Inc., a seller of information about most households and their inhabitants, became an overnight household name last month. The Alpharetta, Ga., company disclosed that criminals posing as legitimate business operators had acquired 145,000 consumer records in October 2004.

Pervasive Software Builds on Open Source with Postgres
January 24, 2005

Pervasive Software has recently joined a burgeoning field of database vendors looking to capitalize on the open-source boom by way of commercial solutions. Best known as a seasoned veteran of database infrastructure management solutions, Pervasive is now looking to take advantage of PostgreSQL's solid database reputation.

Oracle Flaw Underscores Enterprise Software Security Risks
June 21, 2004

About three weeks ago, Oracle issued a security alert describing multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in its E-Business Suite 11i and Applications 11.0. The alert carried the company's highest severity rating, which it associates with a flaw that is "high risk and requires little specialized knowledge to exploit."

Oracle's Profit Rises on Database Sales
June 16, 2004

After the market closed Tuesday, Oracle disclosed that it earned US$990 million, or 19 cents per share, for its fourth fiscal quarter ending May 31st. The company's total revenue rose 9 percent to $3.1 billion during the quarter with its software revenue up 12 percent to $2.5 billion, and services revenue down 4 percent to $558 million.

Oracle Meets Targets, But Weak Sales Spark Concern
September 12, 2003

Oracle boosted earnings in its first quarter, with net income rising 28 percent to $440 million, but it did so largely as a result of internal cost controls put in place during 2002. Revenues in the latest quarter barely increased, up just 2 percent to $2.07 billion, while new license sales actually fell.

Oracle's Focus Shifts to Technology from Takeovers
September 09, 2003

Oracle's takeover bid for competitor PeopleSoft -- which has dominated trade press headlines during the dog days of summer -- has somewhat obscured its technology rollout strategy. But that's about to change. This week at the OracleWorld 2003 conference in San Francisco, the database software giant has revealed more information about its long-heralded database software upgrade, Oracle 10i, a product many in the industry are calling Oracle 10g because of its grid-computing design.

New Oracle Products Target Grid Computing Market
September 08, 2003

With the high-tech spotlight focused squarely on it as the annual OracleWorld expo kicks off, database giant Oracle is unleashing products aimed at making it easier for customers, particularly small and mid-size businesses, to take advantage of grid computing.

Heavy-Duty Database Showdown: The Microsoft Challenge
July 30, 2003

Part 1 of this article discussed the relative advantages and disadvantages of IBM's DB2 and Oracle's 9i software. However, IBM and Oracle are not the only vendors in the database race. Microsoft has seen tremendous growth in the last few years for its Windows-only SQL Server. Is the company Bill built starting to gain on Oracle and IBM?

The Heavy-Duty Database Showdown: Oracle vs. IBM
July 29, 2003

Although databases have been a fundamental component of the enterprise IT stable for decades, they now seem to be multiplying faster than ever before, both in number and importance. IBM's DB2 and Oracle's 9i are among the top contenders in this space. Which one is the best choice in a head-to-head comparison?

Best Databases for Small Businesses
April 22, 2003

Database vendors are working hard to tailor their products to appeal to the low end of the market. So, what are the key selling points for small businesses that are database shopping?

Time for a Database Changeover?
March 12, 2003

While sometimes warranted, changing databases is a huge undertaking for almost any enterprise. Still, some companies seem to be doing it. A recent IDC report showed that sector leader Oracle is losing market share to rivals IBM and Microsoft. Is now the time for a database changeover?

Top Dog Oracle Losing Database Market Share
March 11, 2003

Oracle continues to hold the lion's share of the market for database software, but two hulking rivals, IBM and Microsoft, have chipped away at the company's onetime stronghold, according to a new report from IDC.

Will IBM's New 'Xperanto' Take Over the Enterprise?
February 14, 2003

To reduce query time and cut labor costs, companies must find a way to access data stored in disparate locations on the fly. Can IBM's new Xperanto database technology deliver what enterprises need, helping them manage and quickly access far-flung, heterogeneous data sources? Or will it prove to be just another overhyped technology that falls flat?

Hitachi, Oracle Ally on Storage Technology
February 13, 2003

Hitachi and Oracle have announced they will strengthen an existing alliance, creating a partnership focused on improving integration of database management and information storage. Their first product will be a software library that enables administrators to more easily find and extract Oracle data files stored on Hitachi machines.

Which E-Business Portal Is Right for You?
February 11, 2003

More and more IT executives are hunting for the right enterprise portal. This is not a simple search, however. The array of choices is dizzying, and the crowded market is undergoing rapid consolidation. How can IT managers sift through the myriad options and determine the right portal for their specific enterprise?