BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 1995--Client/server databases are the fundamental building block for all client/server applications and are the core software decision made in the client/server world.

Based on its new report, User Requirements for Client/Server Databases, Business Research Group (BRG) forecasts that the U.S. market for client/server databases will increase from $3.2 billion in 1994 to $10.4 billion in 2000, at a compound annual growth rate of 22 percent.

BRG's major new study on this critical market includes information on the following topics:

o User ratings of key client/server database features o User ratings of top client/server database products o Factors that would influence users to switch database products o Client/server applications o Transaction processing in a client/server environment o Distributed database implementations o Data warehousing plans o Object integration o Database server hardware and software platforms o Client/server database management tools o Spending plans

The study is based on a telephone survey of 311 large business or government sites in five industries:

o Manufacturing o Finance o Government o Trade o Healthcare

Oracle is not only the client/server database market leader, but also the leader in customer satisfaction. Fifty-three percent of the survey respondents are using Oracle for client/server applications.

Oracle's market leadership makes it a strong contender for brand extension. Many respondents indicate that they have already purchased or plan to purchase a wide range of additional client/server products - from packaged applications to replication to management tools - from Oracle. For these customers, Oracle is the vendor of choice for a complete client/server software solution.

Users rate Oracle the top database for performance, scalability, object integration, functionality and connectivity. Users rate IBM highest for customer service.

Some additional key findings from the study:

o Companies are moving what they consider critical production applications onto client/server databases; 38 percent of respondents already implement production client/server applications.

o Nearly half of respondents are implementing distributed databases, this number will grow to 64 percent within two years. This distributed database growth is spurring demand for reliable, secure, cost-effective distributed database products.

o Effective integration of object technology has become a critical issue for many respondents.

o Windows NT will have an increasingly important impact on the database server market; 26 percent of respondents plan to use NT for critical applications, and an additional 34 percent plan to use it for departmental applications or development purposes.

BRG offers consulting services and conducts a primary research in the areas of client/server computing, network integration and management, telecommunications, and the wireless industry.

User Requirements for Client/Server Databases was written by Cheryl Ball, director of client/server research. To interview Ms. Ball, you may call her direct line (617-558-4586). For more information on this or any BRG report, contact Sarah Norton (voice: 617-558-4609, fax: 617-558-4585, Internet: norton@brg.cahners.com).

CONTACT: Business Research Group

Sarah E. Norton, 617/558-4609

norton@brg.cahners.com