Global sales of database systems generated $8.8 billion in 2001, a minimal uptick from the $8.7 billion seen in 2000, according to a statistical review of database software sales from Gartner Inc.
Much of the growth came from IBM. A rise in sales for its DB2 product, as well as its acquisition of Informix, moved it past Oracle as the top organization. IBM’s total sales were $3.06 billion in 2001, compared with $2.83 billion for Oracle.
At $1.44 billion, Microsoft was the third-largest database vendor, followed by Sybase at $234 million. The remaining $1.27 billion was generated by a variety of smaller vendors.
Relational database software made up 80% of the market, with revenue from these products totaling $7.1 billion.
“Given the economic climate, the [database marketing software] market was a revenue pressure-cooker in 2001, with the vendors competing vigorously for market share,” Betsy Burton, vice president and research area director for Gartner said in a statement.
Burton continued, “More than ever, clients were looking of the best cost/value equation.”
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