There are two new analyst papers available that describe the cost benefits of IBM Informix. The 2nd report from ITG compares Informix with Microsoft's SQL Server.

Here are the direct links to the PDF files without any registration hassles:

• IBM Informix Database Server - A Forrester Total Economic Impact Study
• ITG analyst paper: Cost/Benefit case for IBM Informix

If IBM wants to seriously compete with MS SQL Server the next necessary step would be to publish an Informix TPC-E benchmark. However I would like to see this benchmark based on Linux as I believe that competing with Microsoft on the Windows platform is not the smartest option for IBM. Informix is a Unix database and especially in combination with the cost advantages of Linux builds a very strong combination. Companies like Network IP have demonstrated how to build scalable and failsafe architectures based on Linux/Informix. This combination opens the door to compete with Microsoft.

But even then IBM needs to make a U-turn in their marketing strategy and move to a more product focused marketing in order to compete seriously with MS SQL Server. In contrast to Informix there exists a huge product awareness for SQL Server in the market and among developers. IBM needs to investigate a lot of efforts (and money) in order to create something similar for Informix. Promoting Informix only inside the existing Informix community is not enough !

Let's see if IBM is willing to learn from the failures of the past.