IBM is gunning after Oracle with new database management software that can anticipate problems and give database administrators advice on how to fix them.
IBM is expected to release a test version of its latest DB2 database on Monday. IBM executives say the new version is faster and more reliable with improved support for Web services, an emerging trend that allows companies to interact via the Internet.
Version 8 of DB2 is IBM's latest weapon in trying to grab more market share from rival Oracle in the $12.7 billion-a-year market for databases, software that is crucial for businesses and Web sites because it stores, manages and retrieves large amounts of data. In the market for modern databases, which excludes databases for mainframe computers, IBM has been capturing market share but still ranks second behind Oracle, according to a recent study by analyst firm IDC. Oracle leads the market with 42.5 percent, followed by IBM with 31.1 percent, and Microsoft with 8.5 percent.
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