A database management system (DBMS) is computer software designed for the purpose of managing databases. Typical examples of DBMSs include Oracle, DB2, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, Postgres, MySQL, 4th Dimension, FileMaker and Alpha_Five. DBMSs are typically used by Database administrators (DBA) in the creation of Database systems. A DBMS is a complex set of software programs that controls the organization, storage and retrieval of data in a database.

 
If you are going for high level fortune 500 Oracle would be your choice. If you are on a Windows network MS SQL could be used for simplicity and good quality service. I prefer MS SQL for everything I do on the web and application based. It seems to be balanced for performance and reliability. The backup procedures are very easy with text based files. MySQL is also free for the community version. It is great for web application since most open source is built for MySQL. There are some nice smaller databases like Access or SQLite for application level service but as far as I am concerned I covered the 3 big boys.

Currently in play in our office:

Oracle
Mainly for spatial data due to the advanced built in features Oracle has to offer like shortest path tracing.

Microsoft Access
Everything from personal address book to web based applications.

Microsoft SQL Server
Sales Logix CMS and other development projects.

MySQL
All personal coding, work forums email systems. Pretty much anything open source, web based or on Linux.

Berkley DB
Built in interface to MapGuide. Need to know how to use it so when MapGuide crashes.

Interbase
Used as support for SalesLogix not quite sure why since everything was MS SQL and MS SQL Express (formally known as MSDE)

In conclusion I realize no one will read this far due to current work loads and if you do you must have nothing to do.

Best Regards,
Chris Gountanis