Open Source Databases

All indications are the next significant growth segment for open source software will be in databases. This follows the trend of open source operating systems (Open Solaris and Linux). 

Two open source databases of note are Hadoop and MySQL. 

Hadoop is not for everyone. It is a very powerful open source software focused on highly scalable distributed computing. It implements the MapReduce distributing computing metaphor in use at some very large computer powerhouses. In general, I don’t believe it will be of immediate use to the average enterprise, it is for the big guys with high end problems.  My recommendation is that all CTOs at least download it at home and try it out just for familiarity (I’m running Hadoop on my home systems now so I can kick the tires and will be writing more about it in coming posts). But I don’t recommend every enterprise everywhere adopt it. 

MySQL, on the other hand, should be of interest to any enterprise, big or small.  I’m a MySQL user and really enjoy it. I’m not alone in that regard. MySQL has over 11 million installations and is the driver behind most major web technologies today. It is the database for a variety of development platforms including popular software bundles like LAMP, BAMP, MAMP, SAMP, and WAMP Popular websites using MySQL include Facebook, Zappos, Cox Communications, NASA, Flickr, Wikipedia, Google and YouTube. The Obama campaign was also run with technology based on MySQL. 

How much does MySQL cost? It is available for free under the GNU General Public License, which is a great way to get and use software. Enterprises like support, and support costs money. How much will support for MySQL cost? I don’t know, since I’ve never required enterprise support, but from what I understand the cost is about 20% the cost of support for proprietary systems. MySQL lacks some features of the higher end high cost enterprise systems, but at such a reduced cost it will increasingly be the alternative of choice for solutions that don’t require every feature of a massive ERP-type capability.
Additionally, MySQL can result in better reliability and more uptime, which should also be factored into your TCO calculations. 

In your engineering trades you will likely find that MySQL will run more calculations per second on lower cost hardware, and, adminstration/services costs are also significantly lower.
So, those are cost reasons to move to MySQL. Other, perhaps more important reasons include: 

• It is easy to learn and easy to administrate 
• It helps prevent vendor lock-in and companies that will try to place you over the barrel 
• Security is built in and in my opinion there will continue to be fewer vulnerabilities in MySQL because of its open source model 
• There are very large numbers of developers supporting MySQL, so it is easy to find highly qualified developers and administrators. 

The big providers like Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft and IBM continue to roll out improvements and advanced features and and they have powerful capabilities that will likely be with us for a long long time. But my recommendation is that every CTO check out MySQL and use it everywhere you can. It will help you deliver more functionality faster and for a much more economical cost. 

Comments?

One to watch regarding standards and security

In May 2008 I provided an overview of Standards Organizations CTOs Should Track.  Standards groups don't change that fast, so the list is still pretty much ok, but I was very light on industry consortia.  Industry groups can play a large role in setting and implementing standards.  Industry reps send the majority of thinkers to standards bodies and industry management decides what standards to follow or ignore.  Tracking industry consortia can be very important to the CTO. 

Since security is such a hot topic (see: The Future of Cyberspace Security and Melissa Hathaway Op-Ed on Cyber Security, for example ) I wanted to point out one I think we should all watch.  The Industry Consortium for Advancement of Security on the Internet or ICASI. 

Disruptive Technologies List Updated

The list of the positive technologies I believe all enterprise Chief Technology Officer s should be tracking has now been updated.  Please check it out at: 

http://www.ctovision.com/disruptive-technology-list.html

I try to keep this list up by remaining in dialog with enterprise CTO s and soliciting their feedback on the list.  I also keep watching what the venture capital folks are investing in and try to closely track what the big IT firms are up to.   The result is the list.

I’ve also started writing slightly more detailed reviews of key positively disruptive technologies.  I post them under titles “Disruptive Tech:…” and you can find links to those pages on the right hand side of the CTOvision.com blog.

For now this list includes:

• Disruptive Tech: Adapx
• Disruptive Tech: Adobe
• Disruptive Tech: Agent Logic
• Disruptive Tech: Attensity
• Disruptive Tech: Basis Technology
• Disruptive Tech: Centrifuge Systems
• Disruptive Tech: CopperEye
• Disruptive Tech: Endeca
• Disruptive Tech: Forterra Systems
• Disruptive Tech: Initiate Systems
• Disruptive Tech: Inxight
• Disruptive Tech: Language Weaver
• Disruptive Tech: MetaCarta
• Disruptive Tech: PixLogic
• Disruptive Tech: Quantum4D
• Disruptive Tech: Triumfant

See also:

http://www.ctovision.com/2008/02/it-disruptivity.html

Special Request: Collaboration Tool Survey

With the help of vizu.com I have just created an online survey I’d appreciate you taking a quick look at.  The survey is located at this link:   http://www.ctovision.com/collaboration-tool-survey.html  and is also, for now, along the lower right hand column of the CTOvision blog.  You can enter your responses either place for a look at results. 

The point of the survey is to get a quick feel for collaboration tools that CTOvision readers use.  I don’t know what results to expect, but if there are conclusions of note I’ll blog about them here.  

Thanks in advance

Bob