Oracle: Tops in Butler database report

Oracle Corp has cited a new Butler Group report as continuing affirmation of its place as the supplier of the world`s leading relational database. Recently, the Butler Group, one of Europe`s leading IT analyst companies, published a Technology Evaluation and Comparison report on Database Management Systems.

The comparison scored Oracle9i Database highest at 67 points out of a possible 70, with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 trailing on 61 and IBM DB2 in third place on 60.

A key functional area included in the report`s analysis is that of XML; the Butler Group assesses that XML is becoming all-pervasive and that its possibilities now go much further than its originally-anticipated role of an EDI killer.

In this area, which is critical to the future plans of many businesses, the report states: "What makes Oracle9i even more outstanding is the extensions Oracle built to handle XML. As a relational database Oracle9i is good, for use with XML it becomes exceptional, giving native-XML databases a good run for their money."

Unlike any of its competitors, Oracle9i did not score less than 9 out of 10 in any category assessed, and was worth a full 10 points in more than one of the categories.

The authors of the report stated: "Oracle9i is the stand-up and stand-out winner - it jogged home in the lead. The list of supported features and functionality are to be expected from a product that has been the market leader for as long as this one has and which has such a strong user base."

The report compares Oracle`s offering favourably against IBM`s DB2, which it says "falls short of its expected position".

Commenting on the report, Tim Payne, Oracle9i Director of Marketing for EMEA, said: "Oracle is obviously delighted to receive such clear third-party affirmation of the functional leadership of Oracle9i Database. This comprehensive functionality is what enables us to maintain our position as the world`s leading database provider.

"Furthermore, our embedding of XML capabilities is an integral part of the database. We are the only vendor to do this and it is proof of our determination to safeguard our position at the head of the class."