Microsoft and Its Play in the Document Database Sector

May 3, 2015

The number of companies offering alternatives to Oracle’s traditional database management system continues to go up. The most notable anti-Oracle outfit may be Microsoft, or, the “new” post-Ballmer Microsoft.

A number of specialist companies have offered expensive and often quite complicated NoSQL content management systems. These have been positioned as publishing systems, analytic systems, business intelligence, and other types of unstructured information solutions.

I read “Microsoft Announces General Availability of Azure DocumentDB.” The key paragraph in the write up is a quote from a Microsoft expert which asserts:

We built DocumentDB in response to the increasing demands of mobile first, cloud first application development. NoSQL databases are becoming the tool of choice for many developers however running and managing these databases can be complicated and costly, especially at scale. DocumentDB is delivered as a fully managed database-as-a-service (DBaaS) with built in high availability, SQL query over indexed JSON and multi-document transaction processing.

Like most things Microsoft, this solution has been chugging along for many years. Microsoft has its own relational database to nurture. Leaving the market to the likes of MarkLogic and legions of open source developers and repackagers motivated the ageing Microsoft to keep on pecking away at the unstructured information problem.

Will Microsoft be successful?

The question is, “Sure, probably.” There are many Microsoft certified professionals, certified Gold resellers, and tag-along consultants who milk the Microsoft cow. The installed base combined with job security and consulting opportunities means that over time, Microsoft’s document database will have an impact.

What companies will be affected? There are several categories of firms which may suffer some immediate pain; for example:

  • MarkLogic-type proprietary vendors will have to deal with the price pressure Microsoft brings to the market. Microsoft also supports a community familiar with the Byzantine methods of Microsoft software. The combination of familiar programming conventions and job security are likely to be a powerful mix.
  • Vendors who drifted from Microsoft may have to fall in love again. Some specialist companies like Coveo and Smartlogic have shifted from Microsoft centric business to support for other systems and methods. If the document centric database sector catches on quickly, then these companies will have to rekindle their Microsoft affection. The challenge will be to fit into a Microsoft world in which more loyal developers have been faithful.
  • Licensees reeling from the cost and complexity of XML centric document solutions may find that loyal licensees are kicking the tires of the Microsoft approach. Microsoft developers are easier to find and hire than masters of proprietary XML programming methods. JSON may become a good enough alternative to XML wonkiness.

What about search? I assume that an open source outfit like Elastic will encourage its fans to carry coals to the New Microsoft castle. Vendors of proprietary Microsoft add ins are likely to be revving up to offer snap in solutions to Microsoft’s migraine inducing search and retrieval function.

Net net: Microsoft is creating an opportunity as it inflicts pain on companies struggling in a tough economy. Worth monitoring this initiative. Will Oracle sit on the sidelines? How will proprietary content processing vendors respond? No answers yet.

Stephen E Arnold, May 3, 2015

Comments

Comments are closed.

  • Archives

  • Recent Posts

  • Meta