Conference 7.286::digital

    I believe the author probably suffers from relational database envy. 
    We got a good thing which eventually will be propogated across multiple
    operating  systems.   Rdb is tops in the TPS benchmarks and for the 
    mostpart is a very well thought out product.   
    
    There are good points and bad points to Oracle and Ingres along with
    Rdb.  A true techinical evaluation of the product's
    functionality/performance  would have brought this out.   
    
    What are the authors techinical credentials?   Is she like some authors
    these days who are non-technical  and draw  conclusions based on
    a series of sources who have a perception which backs up the authors
    theme?   
    
    "Perception is reality and I rarely see any mention of Rdb 
     in the database trade journals as it stands.   "
    
    What is she trying to drum up Digital advertising of Rdb in
    Computerworld?
    
    Reality in relational database technology is the ability of the 
    product to support SQL, support automated data distribution, support
    queries from different PC platforms and the like not to mention provide
    the bang for the buck which I believe Rdb does.  

    re: .1
    
    You're preaching to the choir.  :-)
    
    I think the bottom line of a lot of write ups in the journals lately is
    that we *have* to respond to these articles.  They may be biased,
    untruthful, inaccurate, etc..., etc..., etc... *BUT* they are read by
    thousands and thousands of people who may not know this and may make 
    their purchasing decisions based on some information based on these
    sources.
    
    Somebody in Digital, if we want to remain in these environments, must
    be held accountable (how's that that for Digital PC-speak) to make sure
    that our competitors AND information providers are kept honest to the
    truth.  We may not like it... but we have to play the "image" game.  We
    can't sustain these continuous assaults on our products in the
    mindshare of customers... both current and potential.
    
    It would be nice to mount a nice offensive once in a while too.  :-)
    
    P.S.: Digitals Sales... PLEASE let Rdb be at least an alternative in
          proposals to customers.  Don't automatically go with Oracle or
          otherwise.  Rdb is cost-effective and very good.  Don't assume
          that it can't do something now that it once could not do.  Like
          anything... it has changed through the years and kept improving.
    
    
    Off pulpit,
    
    Don

observations Re: Rdb vs. Oracle;

I worked with both products for years while in the Consulting ranks.
Rdb has always been the more solid product.
At times, Oracle was significantly faster than Rdb, and they paid for it
in database corruptions and losses.  But you never heard about that.
You only heard about the speed differential.

Observation of a customer after returning from an Oracle users conference
at the company's HQ:
"Wow! They had 3 floors worth of engineering and 5 floors worth of marketing!"

Kinda explains why Oracle is perceived as the leader in the marketplace.

Also, Oracle has been multi-platform for YEARS, and that feature alone has
made them the standard at many customer sites.  We're playing catch-up here,
and I hope we're not too late.

Kevin

         I was just working at a customer site where we have Rdb in
         there on a project, but they were experiencing performance
         problems.  With the expert help of our internal resources, we
         got them going to the point where they should be able to
         achieve many times the required performance.

	 While there, I saw a series of meetings with Oracle
	 representatives.  The customer is also proceeding towards
	 "standardizing" on one database product.  Sound familiar?

	 Strangely enough, the article from the base note showed up
	 while I was there.  Coincidence?  I somehow don't think so.

	 I sure would love to see an aggressive promotional campaign
	 for Rdb!  

If you read that issue of CW closely you find two articles about `proprietary'
databases, one from DEC and one from HP.  The headlines pretty much reflect
the stories:


		Rdb falling by Digital wayside


		HP balances Unix vs. proprietary databases

    		*** RESPONSE TO COMPUTERWORLD ARTICLE ***
    
    	*** THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT AND CAN BE SHARED WITH CUSTOMERS ***
    
    Senior management has approved the release of this letter to the editor
    as a response to the May 30th Computerworld article "Rdb Falling Beside
    the Digital Wayside".  Please forward it widely and use it in
    appropriate customer situations.
    
    It was sent to Computerworld today (June 22).  You should be aware that
    Computerworld has the *option* of printing it in some future issue, and
    also has the option of modifying the content to fit their venue.
    
    If you have any questions, please call me at DTN 381-1627, (603)
    881-1627, or E-Mail at WILBRY::OCONNELL.
    
    R,
    
    Mike
    
    *************************************************************************
    
Dear Editor:

We take strong objection to your misleading and poorly researched May 30 article
("RDB Falling Beside the Digital Wayside"), and are disappointed that we were
not provided with a fair opportunity to tell our side of the story. 

Digital is committed to DEC Rdb and to the continued support of its hundreds of
thousands of users.  The product remains extremely competitive in the database
marketplace and will continue to be enhanced to support our customers' critical
needs. DEC Rdb currently runs on OpenVMS and will be released on OSF/1 and
Windows NT later this year. 

DEC Rdb is clearly the top relational database performer in the market today. 
DEC Rdb has submitted numerous TPC-A benchmarks, and currently leads all other
vendors in performance by nearly a factor of 2 in relational technology, and
surpasses IBM's high-end TPF figure as well.  It also leads all four TPC-A
price/performance categories, being the least expensive solution in each
performance range.  This information is available from the independent
Transaction Processing Council upon request. 

In terms of third-party support for Rdb, there are over 250 applications on Rdb
today. Of those, the vast majority have already or are in the process of porting
their applications to our Alpha AXP platform, with many moving to the OpenVMS or
OSF/1 operating systems or both. 

Digital has always had a strong commitment to engineering excellence and to
providing its customers with the best solutions available.  DEC Rdb's technical
and functional leadership is proof of this commitment.  DEC Rdb is a profitable
product and has the advantage of having the lowest cost of ownership of any of
the major RDBMSs today. 

Sincerely,
Mike O'Connell 
DEC Rdb Marketing Manager