Sage to standardise on MySQL database

Accountancy software supplier Sage is standardising on the open source MySQL database, with future software releases using an embedded MySQL database. Users can opt for the open standards database which has a small footprint and high performance, said Sage.

MySQL is considered to be a robust alternative to enterprise databases from companies such as IBM, Microsoft and Oracle. Sage intends to bring MySQL into its small business range over the coming months.

The MySQL database will replace a number of proprietary and acquired technologies such as Sage's Line 5, MAS90, Classic Line and Ligne 100 Microsoft's MS Jet, MS SQL Express, and MSDE and Pervasive's Peachtree.

Sage said it will fully support products which incorporate MySQL. However, MySQL itself will support developers directly who want to extend the application.

Sage's chief technology officer, Klaus-Michael Vogelberg, said, "MySQL reduces overall cost of ownership as it is not dependent on one platform or stack, and it has low hardware requirements which keeps costs down for SMEs."

Sage did not expect the addition of MySQL to require a hardware change for users since the database had a small footprint.