BEDFORD, MA--(Marketwired - Jan 28, 2015) - EnterpriseDB (EDB), the leading worldwide provider of enterprise-class Postgres products and database compatibility solutions, today announced research findings that found 42% of database decision makers admit they struggle to manage the NoSQL solutions deployed in their environments and the majority -- 78% -- want one single solution to support both structured and unstructured data types.

The commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of EnterpriseDB, published in January 2015, presents a case study for the evolution of relational database management systems. The study, Relational Databases are Evolving to Support New Data Capabilities, showed organizations struggle to integrate multiple data types. Findings show that managing separate environments is undesirable, particularly as demand for high-performing applications continues to rise.

The study finds that relational databases are evolving to address the needs of end users seeking to link unstructured and structured data types and that decision makers should look to invest in these solutions. EDB's Postgres Plus Advanced Server, for example, addresses these needs with such capabilities as support for unstructured data types, tools for large-scale data loads, and integration technologies that connect NoSQL database solutions with Postgres.

"Relational databases -- and Postgres especially -- have responded to changing data demands and incorporated capabilities for managing unstructured data as well as traditional structured data types," said Ed Boyajian, CEO of EnterpriseDB. "Today's applications are more demanding and using multiple different database solutions to support them creates problems with usability, adds cost and complexity and poses greater risk for the enterprise."

Some findings from the study are:

• Developers' NoSQL freedom carries a cost. More than half -- 52% -- respondents said they were unable to prevent developers from deploying new applications on separate NoSQL databases, while 42% admitted they struggle to manage the NoSQL databases deployed on their infrastructures. In addition, 30% reported that data stored in NoSQL solutions were creating data siloes in their businesses.
  
  

• Decision makers want to link unstructured and structured data. More than one-third of respondents -- 6% -- said they would like to link their unstructured data with their structured data all or most of the time. Almost two-thirds, 60%, said they sometimes found a need. Just 4% said they never have the desire.
  
  

• Traditional data still holds greatest strategic value. Despite the growing buzz around social, mobile and other new data types, the most important for business strategy continue to be those with longstanding value. Of the respondents, 85% said planning, budgeting and forecasting data was most important to overall business strategy while 72% said it was transactional data from business apps. This data is typically made more valuable by applying relational qualities, supporting the continued use of a relational database as the corporate standard.
  
  That said, database decision makers recognize new data types play an important role as well, supporting the need for database management systems that can support unstructured data types. Of the respondents, 58% said unstructured internal data was important, 52% said scientific data, 36% said video, imagery and audio and 33% said consumer mobile and device data.
  
  

• Decision makers want one database to support all data types. Close to half -- 42% -- of respondents want to integrate NoSQL databases with relational and just over one third -- 36% -- want to store both structured/unstructured data in their standard database. While end users have not yet determined how they want to achieve it, the goal for this 78% majority is clearly to find a way to support both kinds of data with one database.
  
  

Stated the study, "The next generation of business applications is upon us, and with it comes a crucial need for applications to efficiently access structured, unstructured, and semistructured data types. In response to these heightened requirements, top relational database solutions are now offering a wide range of new features to combine structured and unstructured data types in a high-performance environment.

"Database decision makers need to look at investing in these database technologies that will support broader data management requirements to ensure they meet user expectations for performance and flexibility," the study stated.

To download a copy of the report, please go here.

About EnterpriseDB Corporation
EnterpriseDB is the largest worldwide provider of Postgres software and services that enable enterprises to reduce their reliance on costly proprietary solutions and slash their database spend by 90% or more. With powerful performance and security enhancements for PostgreSQL, sophisticated management tools for global deployments and database compatibility for Oracle, EnterpriseDB software supports both mission and non-mission critical enterprise applications. More than 2,700 enterprises, governments and other organizations worldwide use EnterpriseDB software, support, training and professional services to integrate open source software into their existing data infrastructures. Based in Bedford, MA, EnterpriseDB is backed by strategic private investors.