Microsoft's next SQL Server delayed till 2005

Microsoft's next SQL Server delayed till 2005: "Annual sales from SQL, which competes with programs from Oracle Corp. and International Business Machines Corp., will be $1.8 billion in the year ended June 30, according to estimates from Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Analyst Charles Di Bona. Product delays are hampering Microsoft's efforts to win more sales of two-year licenses that entitle users to updates in the period, analysts have said.
'It is important for them to have an attractive product road map for subscription customers,' said Alan Davis, an analyst at Seattle-based McAdams Wright Ragen, which manages about $2 billion and owns Microsoft shares. 'You want to have things come out on time, but you also want to have security and programs that work.'
Rizzo said the delay won't hurt Microsoft's database software sales because SQL Server 2000 is still selling well."