* Microsoft's flagship database software used to be a runner-up to Oracle, but has gained favor among iT buyers in recent years.
* Rohan Kumar, the Microsoft executive in charge of SQL Server, said that's because the company made changes to the software to focus on top enterprise customers and to make it easy for developers to use.
* Kumar also said Microsoft's cloud computing and data analytics services are to thank, as customers plan for a long-term shift to the cloud.
* Oracle did not respond to a request for comment.
* Do you work at Microsoft? Contact this reporter via encrypted messaging app Signal (+1-425-344-8242) or email (astewart@businessinsider.com).
* Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Microsoft's flagship database software recently surpassed long-time market leader Oracle, at least by one measure.
Rohan Kumar, the executive behind Microsoft's software, said the company achieved that feat through a "laser" focus on top enterprise customers, by making it easy to use, and because of Microsoft's full portfolio of services, including cloud computing and data analytics.
Customers used to use Microsoft's software, SQL Server, mostly to run lower-tier workloads while they turned to Oracle for anything "mission critical." But SQL Server has gained prominence in recent years: In the past two, it became the top choice in Bank of America Merrill Lynch's annual survey of IT buyers, knocking Oracle down to the No. 2 spot, according to managing director of global research Kash Rangan.
Oracle did not respond to a request for comment.
While the cloud market gets more attention, Rangan said, the database market is the "highest-value item in the IT stack." How did Microsoft manage to rise from second or third ranked to No. 1?
"My hypothesis on what foundationally changed us and put us right at the top of the data platforms is not only do we have this deep understanding of the enterprise customer market" but also Microsoft's portfolio of services including cloud computing and data analytics," Kumar, corporate vice president of Azure Data, said this week at Bank of American's 2020 Global Technology Conference.
Microsoft has made substantial investments and changes in SQL Server, such as improving latency and expanding the types of data it works with, and keeping a "very laser — and intentional — focus on meeting the needs of the highest class of demanding enterprise customers," Kumar said.
One of the ways Kumar said Microsoft did this is by building developer tools that make it easy to use: Developers who wanted to build a high-performance application "didn't have to be a rocket scientist," he said.
Finally, chief information officers want a company they can bet on long-term as databases move to the cloud, Kumar said, where Microsoft has a solid track record.
Gartner last year predicted 75 percent of all databases will be moved to a cloud platform by 2022. Microsoft Azure is generally considered the No. 2 cloud platform behind Amazon Web Services.
Are you a Microsoft employee? Contact this reporter via email at astewart@businessinsider.com, message her on Twitter @ashannstew, or send her a secure message through Signal at 425-344-8242.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft asks staff each year if they think their compensation is competitive. Leaked poll results show a declining share say yes.
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: Why electric planes haven't taken off yet
http://dlvr.it/RXzWlC
Post a Comment