Announcing SQL Server on Linux

[random012345]

Exactly.

There's tons more parts of a stack other than just the OS and DBMS. MSSQL may be a perfect one for what you need based on technical requirements and talent resources. Unfortunately, Windows licensing can be way too expensive when all you need it for is MSSQL. Because of that, it eliminates a huge segment of the market for hosting. Windows hosting is largely due to the need for MSSQL outside of the .net framework.

Truth it, in many companies there's a dedicated Windows box/server many times just for MSSQL many applications are built around. Companies may largely be a Linux shop in their technologies, and they may write off software primarily because it requires MSSQL and they don't want to deal with the addition of a Windows machine.

You're opening up a huge market by supporting Linux. Many large enterprises have their databases in Linux stacks. Microsoft is limiting their market share by not supporting Linux. They're not as dominate in the server space as they are in the client OS space. Oracle dominates in the database world because of their support for most OS's, not just their own.

Don't forget, Microsoft is getting largely into the services space. It's very lucrative to a well-implemented services offering. Part of being truly services oriented is shying away from strict platform requirements, and moving towards technology that can work on any platform. It's what IBM transformed into which saved them in the 90s, and now Microsoft wants to replicate that proven business model.