Open Source vs. the Database Vendors

bhmit1 writes "BusinessWeek has another spread on open source this week. Among them is an article about open source vs. the database vendors which focused on how businesses are looking to save money with open source (rather than using the source to innovate). From the article: "The databases work fine, but as data volume grows, so do the checks to Oracle, IBM, or Microsoft. Many users aren't clamoring for more features, and some don't even use the bells and whistles they already paid for. They would happily trade some to get their hands on the source code and a better deal." Disclaimer: that quote came from Sony."

But who will my boss shout at?

[Malnathor]

If we use an open source app my boss will have no one to call up and shout at when things go wrong. Thus, any suggestion to use an open source DB will be pissed on.

SAP

[stephenMF]

At my company we are making a move to MySQL in order to accomplish what SAP cannot do for our assembly lines. This involves keeping track of incoming and outgoing material. SAP will still keep track of what happens with the finished goods, and received parts. Why we keep SAP probably has something to do with the corporate jacuzzi.