Open-source database maker MySQL is simplifying its enterprise pricing structure, offering a new one-price-fits-all licensing model of $40,000 per year for any number of installations of its flagship offering, MySQL Enterprise.
The $40,000 figure, announced Jan. 30, equals the cost of a single CPU license for Oracles Oracle Enterprise, a MySQL spokesperson said. MySQL has more than 10 million active installations of its open-source database, Executive Vice President Zack Urlocker said.
MySQL Enterprise Unlimited is designed for companies with existing site licenses for Oracle Enterprise, Microsofts SQL Server, Sybases Adaptive Server Enterprise and IBMs DB2. Last year, a survey of the International Oracle User Group showed that one-third of its membership also used MySQL.
“MySQL Enterprise has made it significantly easier to purchase database software and technical support for our entire organization,” said Glenn Bergeron, systems manager for Ontario-based Instaclick, one of the first companies to take advantage of MySQL Enterprise Unlimited. “This new offering is ideal for corporate IT organizations with a growing number of projects but a tightly fixed budget.”
With a MySQL Enterprise Unlimited subscription, an organization can develop, manage and fully support any number of MySQL database applications, Urlocker said.
“Due in large part to advantages in distribution and volume, open source has the ability to disrupt traditional enterprise software pricing,” said Stephen OGrady, principal analyst for RedMonk. “MySQL is attempting to prove as much with its latest sitewide agreements, which offer customers the ability to support every database across their enterprise at a fraction of the traditional cost.”