A relational database management system (RDBMS) provides the framework and tools to store and access business data. RDBMS software forms the foundation for many enterprise solutions including: content management, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, and change management solutions.

Editions and Pricing

Microsoft and Oracle are two of the leading vendors in small to mid-sized enterprise (SME) RDBMS implementations. Oracle has a long history in the database space and has successfully acquired nearly all of its competition. Microsoft's SQL Server product line is traditionally aimed at smaller shops, but with SQL Server 2005 Microsoft's sights are firmly set on larger mid-sized enterprises and beyond.

Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 and Oracle's Oracle Database 10g sport almost identical naming aimed at the same audiences:

• Enterprise Edition addresses the needs of large enterprises.
• Standard Edition positions itself for SMEs.
• Workgroup (Microsoft) and Standard One (Oracle) editions aim at small enterprise or workgroups/subsidiaries...