Does Oracle 11g have a shot with SMBs?

It’s no secret that Oracle’s flagship database management system isn’t hugely popular among small to medium sized businesses (SMBs), but when Oracle Database 11g finally arrives, that could start to change, according to one database market expert.

Noel Yuhanna, an analyst with Forrester Research and a frequent source of mine, says that Oracle’s efforts to increase database automation and ease database management will hit a stride with 11g, and that may be enough to start turning some SMB heads away from Microsoft SQL Server.
  
Yuhanna says that about 70% of the SMB market currently runs SQL Server because it’s seen as less complex and less expensive than Oracle.

“Oracle, obviously, doesn’t have a very strong hold in SMB, but with 11g onward, you’re going to see a lot of automation and making it simpler to use, which is certainly going to draft some SMB people,” Yuhanna said.

But Noel, what about the price? Can SMBs afford to pay for Oracle?

“Oracle does offer discounts and they now offer Standard Edition One, which is very comparable to SQL Server,” Yuhanna answered. “Oracle is making headway, but it’s a matter of convincing the SMB that Oracle Database is easier to use and simple. I think there is a perception issue there and I think that will take some time to clear out.”

What do you think? Does Oracle have a chance with SMBs? Or do you think that Noel has lost his mind? Let us know.

– Mark