Informix, Sybase, Oracle or MS SQL server

Hello.

We are trying to find a workgroup database server to run on Intel/NT that will be accessed from an SCO UnixWare 2.1 server and an SGI Irix 5.3 server. The Irix machine is a webserver and will perform queries on the database. The UnixWare machine is an IVR (Integrated Voice Response unit--an automated attendant used to process incoming telephone calls and such). The UnixWare machine will also query the database. Additionally, reports will be run on the database--sporadically.

We will also need Embedded SQL for SCO Unixware 2.1's C compiler and the IRIX 5.3 C compiler.

I'm wondering which one of these servers is the best to go with. Here's what I found so far.

Oracle:

        Seems to offer alot of what we need, but you must take a database of line to back it up--this is a problem. Also, I've yet to speak with a technical person at Oracle--they seem to just try to get by with their name. Also, They are a little more expensive and I don't care much for their internet strategy (creating a webserver to compete with Netscape and others rather than working with webserver developers as does Sybase). Also, they seem to be more proprietary than Sybase or Informix.

Sybase:

        Liked dealing with them but it seems that they have some serious problems--no row-level locking, no two-phase commit. I like their web.sql product--but it's not out for IRIX yet. Aside from these issues I am very happy with them, but these are serious issues.

Informix:

        Just getting familiar with their offering. They look good, but I still need to find out more. They don't appear to have the same problems that Sybase has. They also do not have anything out for the web side (except for the CGI kit). LiveWire Pro for Netscape is not yet available but will offer alot of what we need for the database integration from the web. I'm interested in finding out more about these guys. They look like a good alternative.

MS SQL Server:

        My initial inclination (from dealing with MS in the past) is NO WAY. Serious issues include--access from Unixware and Irix. Scalability--with MS it looks like you are stuck with MS the whole way.

Thanks for any info.
-Mike Received on Fri Apr 19 1996 - 00:00:00 CEST