Relational database market generated $7.8 bln in 2004

Worldwide relational database management systems (RDBMS) new license sales totaled $7.8 bln in 2004, a 10.3% increase from 2003 revenue, according to Gartner. IBM and Oracle were in a virtual tie for the top position based on new license revenue. RDBMS on the Windows server platform totaled $3.1 bln in 2004, a 10% increase from 2003. Microsoft extended its lead in this segment, as it accounted for 50.9% of new license revenue.

RDBMS on the Unix platform declined 0.7%, however much of this decline was attributed to Oracle's strong performance in the Linux segment. Oracle accounted for 55.9% of RDBMS new license revenue. The Linux RDBMS was still relatively small with new license revenue of $654.8 mln in 2004, but this segment showed the largest growth rate. Linux RDBMS new license sales increased 118.4% from 2003 revenue of $299.8 mln. Oracle was the clear market leader in this space, as it accounted for 80.5% of new license sales. Its revenue increased 154.8%.