For the second time running, XML pioneer Software AG has been named leader in the XML database management system (DBMS) market by International Data Corp. (IDC)
A recent IDC study showed that Software AG's Tamino XML Server held 47.5% of the market in 2001 - an increase of 7% over previous year. This bettered that of the overall XML database management solutions segment which, thanks to a rocky economic climate, just topped 1%.
A rising number of smaller vendors share the remaining market but, despite their proliferation, Software AG continues to dominate. According to head of Software AG South Africa, Joe Curran, this is very apparent in western Europe, where Tamino XML Server currently claims 56% of the market - a significant margin over competitors. In the USA, where Tamino XML Server was launched onto the market later than in Europe, it has worked hard to make up for lost time and, in 2001, its market share doubled to reach the top position at 34.5%.
IDC estimates that the market for specialized XML databases will have an average annual growth rate of 44% and generate annual revenue (licenses and maintenance) of nearly 300 million US dollars until 2006.
The American ZapThink analyst group expects the entire market for native XML data storage and services to generate revenue several times this number.
Analysts have identified the same challenge for all vendors of XML database management systems: to differentiate them-selves from vendors of relational database systems, which have limited capabilities when it comes to processing XML documents.
Vendors of XML database management systems need to emphasize the advantages of XML DBMS solutions in areas such as content management and bioinformatics as well as the high-speed response times for queries from large enterprise databases. IDC advises XML DBMS vendors to position their products as 'mid-servers' between relational DBMSs and XML-based Web services.
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Software AG is based in Darmstadt, Germany. Founded in 1969, Software AG continues to be Europe's largest and a leading global provider of system software and services enabling enterprise data integration and management. Software AG's products control the central IT processes of thousands of renowned companies worldwide including Lufthansa, Siemens, Citibank, Merck, DaimlerChrysler, Sony, BP and Telefonica. Software AG develops products and solutions that support the XML (Extensible Markup Language) standard. XML simplifies the exchange of documents and data as well as the integration of cutting-edge Web applications into traditional IT architectures. According to IDC, Software AG is the worldwide leader in the XML database and server market thanks to its Tamino XML Server. Software AG's B2B solutions offering focuses on XML-based integration (e.g. Web services) and enterprise content management systems. Software AG's portfolio of 300-plus distribution and technology partners includes IBM, Sun, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard and solutions vendors like BEA, Tridion, Stellent and Ixos. In 2001, the corporation achieved 589 million euros in total revenue. Software AG has offices in over 70 countries and currently employs a staff of 3,200. Software AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (MDAX, security id number 724264/SOWGn.F).
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