After four decades, the relational database remains unquestionably the dominant model for handling data used for enterprise applications.
Critical to the success of any data management system is the ecosystem surrounding the technology. Because of its longevity, the relational database has a rich, multi-layered and highly evolved support network of applications for security, business intelligence and analytics, data integration, master data management and data quality, from which customers can choose. Additionally, new features are continually being added by both proprietary and open source RDBMS vendors to leverage new technologies and address emerging demands for enterprise data management.
New capabilities being added to relational database management systems include enhanced security; in-memory features for faster data access and analysis of real-time data; on-premise cloud deployment options that enable organizations to maintain control of their data; database as a service (DBaaS) approaches that offload management to the cloud, making it possible to scale as needed while still maintaining the ANSI-SQL support and ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) guarantees of the traditional single node database system; and mobile versions of relational databases that allow data to be stored and managed locally so it is available and rapidly accessible.
Here are the winners of the 2014 DBTA Readers' Choice Awards for Best Relational Database:
Winner: Oracle Database
Winners' Circle by Jeb Dasteel, Senior VP & Chief Customer Officer
Unleash Innovation by Simplifying IT
Oracle is shifting the complexity from IT, moving it out of the enterprise byengine ering hardware and software to work together—in the cloud and in the data center. By eliminating complexity and simplifying IT, Oracle enables its customers—400,000 of them in more than 145 countries around the world—to accelerate innovation and create added value for their customers ... read on.
Finalists:
Microsoft SQL Server
PostgreSQL