Gartner gives Oracle increased edge over IBM in database market

 A Microsoft speaker at TechEd noted that Microsoft SQL Server is #1 in terms of units sold -- i.e., is beating Oracle and IBM combined on new sales in terms of units; the higher revenue levels for Oracle and IBM highlight very different pricing strategies.

Oracle's database revenue increased 14.9% year-to-year, and its market share ticked up from 46.8% in 2005, Gartner said.

The research and consulting firm gave second-place IBM 21.1% of the market, with relational database sales of $3.2 billion -- up 8.8% from its sales level during 2005. But IBM's market share dropped from 22.1% in 2005, and its revenue increase fell short of the 14.2% growth of the market as a whole.

Microsoft Corp. remained in third place with a 17.4% market share last year, according to Gartner. But the firm said that Microsoft gained ground on IBM, thanks to year-over-year sales growth of 28% that bumped up its revenue total to $2.7 billion.

Gartner gives Oracle increased edge over IBM in database market