licensing model Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 22, 2026

The database that refused to die: How Postgres survived its own creators

Postgres, originally developed by Michael Stonebraker in the early 1980s, is an open-source database system that evolved from Ingres. It was designed to handle complex data types and introduced user-defined data types, operators, and functions, leading to the support for abstract data types (ADTs). The initial commercialization of Postgres occurred through a startup named Illustra, later acquired by Informix. In 1995, graduate students Andrew Yu and Jolly Chen revived Postgres, transitioning it from QUEL to SQL, resulting in Postgre95, which evolved into PostgreSQL. Today, Postgres is one of the most popular database systems globally, known for its extensibility and high code quality. However, it currently lacks features like file-level encryption (TDE), which are standard in commercial systems, relying instead on the operating system for encryption. Efforts to implement TDE have faced challenges due to the complexity of required code changes.

Tech Optimizer

June 18, 2026

SQL Server may be too lucrative for Microsoft to ditch, but too legacy to love

Microsoft's Build event highlighted its new AI agent, Scout, while SQL Server received limited attention, raising concerns about its future following Rohan Kumar's departure. Arun Ulag now oversees SQL Server, but analysts note a shift in priorities with SQL Server seemingly less emphasized. The 2022 SQL Server release was viewed as more of a marketing effort than a response to customer needs. Despite the introduction of vector search in SQL Server 2025, competitors had already offered similar features. Microsoft is shifting towards open-source solutions and PostgreSQL, although it reassured users of its commitment to SQL Server. SQL Server, launched in 1989, remains popular, ranking behind Oracle and MySQL. The on-premises database market is lucrative, generating significant revenue, and SQL Server holds a substantial share. Microsoft is unlikely to abandon this profitable segment, aiming to transition users to Azure SQL and SQL database within Fabric. However, migration compatibility issues may arise. Microsoft is also investing in PostgreSQL offerings to compete in the cloud database market, which is evolving rapidly. AWS currently leads in cloud DBMS revenue, posing a challenge for Microsoft. Despite uncertainties, support for SQL Server 2025 is guaranteed until 2036.

Tech Optimizer

June 18, 2026

Companies turn to EnterpriseDB for AI data control

Organizations are increasingly adopting EnterpriseDB's EDB Postgres AI platform due to a rising demand for enhanced control over data in AI systems, particularly in sectors like banking, insurance, retail, and trading. Research from MIT Technology Review Insights indicates that prioritizing AI and data sovereignty significantly predicts success in AI initiatives, with such organizations achieving five times the return on investment. In South Korea, the Industrial Bank of Korea migrated 15 core systems to EDB Postgres AI, citing significant reductions in licensing costs compared to Oracle and improved scalability for future AI services. Shinhan EZ Insurance transitioned its core system to the public cloud using EDB, overcoming challenges related to legacy database licensing and emphasizing the importance of operational stability. Beyond finance, companies like MNTN, Euronext FX, and Kyobo Book Centre have adopted the platform to reduce vendor reliance, manage data workloads, and enhance compliance control. MNTN uses EDB for large-scale analytical processing, Euronext FX has implemented it across four data centers, and Kyobo Book Centre migrated from a costly data warehouse to the EDB solution. A common trend among these deployments is the use of a single Postgres-based platform for transactional processing, analytics, and AI tasks, reflecting an industry initiative to simplify operations and reduce costs. Hensley noted the critical convergence of AI systems with operational data, as AI agents operate against live data in high-volume workflows, highlighting the drawbacks of using separate platforms for transactions and analytics. EnterpriseDB has also received industry accolades for its data management and contributions to the open-source community, reinforcing its market position.

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2026

PostgreSQL vs SQL Server 2026: $0 vs $15K License

PostgreSQL has become the most utilized database for developers for two consecutive years as of 2026, while SQL Server has introduced native AI capabilities and vector search functionalities in its latest release. PostgreSQL is favored for new projects due to its permissive licensing, cross-platform operation, and extensive ecosystem of extensions, whereas SQL Server is preferred by organizations already using Microsoft products for its robust tooling and enterprise support. As of June 2026, SQL Server ranks third in the DB-Engines popularity ranking with a score of 698, while PostgreSQL ranks fourth with a score of 688. Developer adoption trends show that 49% of respondents in the Stack Overflow 2024 Developer Survey use PostgreSQL, compared to 27% for SQL Server. The latest stable version of PostgreSQL is 18.4, released on May 14, 2026, while SQL Server 2025 (version 17.x) became generally available on November 18, 2025. PostgreSQL is free under a permissive license, while SQL Server's Enterprise Edition can cost upwards of ,123 per two-core pack, with an eight-core minimum. PostgreSQL supports various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD, while SQL Server operates on Windows and Linux. PostgreSQL uses PL/pgSQL as its primary procedural language, allowing for multiple procedural languages, whereas SQL Server uses T-SQL. PostgreSQL's JSONB type offers rich indexing, while SQL Server added native JSON support in its 2025 release. Both databases are capable of handling high transaction volumes, but PostgreSQL excels in read-heavy scenarios due to its multi-version concurrency control, while SQL Server's columnstore indexes provide advantages for analytical workloads. PostgreSQL supports tables up to 32 TB, while SQL Server can handle a maximum database size of 524 PB. SQL Server's high availability technology includes Always On Availability Groups, while PostgreSQL offers built-in streaming and logical replication. The security features of both databases meet enterprise standards, with PostgreSQL providing a transparent patching process and SQL Server integrating with Microsoft tools. Real-world usage examples include Stack Overflow using SQL Server, while Instagram and Reddit utilize PostgreSQL. Developer sentiment increasingly favors PostgreSQL for new projects, emphasizing flexibility and open-source solutions. For new startups or greenfield projects, PostgreSQL is recommended due to its zero license cost and compatibility. Existing Microsoft enterprises are advised to stick with SQL Server for its integration benefits. Migration from SQL Server to PostgreSQL is becoming common, with a structured approach required for successful transitions.

Tech Optimizer

May 8, 2026

CrowdStrike Falcon: What US Businesses Need to Know Right Now About the Security Platform

CrowdStrike Falcon is a cloud-native endpoint protection platform (EPP) and extended detection and response (XDR) solution used by many U.S. organizations to combat modern cyber threats such as ransomware and supply chain attacks. It utilizes behavioral analysis, machine learning, and real-time telemetry instead of traditional signature-based detection methods. Falcon features a lightweight agent that operates on various endpoints, collecting telemetry data for analysis. Key modules include Falcon Prevent for blocking malware, Falcon Insight for monitoring endpoint activity, and Falcon OverWatch for managed detection and response services. The platform also offers identity protection and cloud workload security, integrating telemetry from various environments for a comprehensive threat view. Falcon is particularly beneficial for medium to large-sized organizations with dedicated security teams and complex IT infrastructures. However, it may not be suitable for smaller businesses due to its licensing model and operational complexity. Its strengths include rapid deployment, scalability, and advanced detection capabilities, while its limitations involve reliance on proper configuration and cloud connectivity. Competitors include Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and SentinelOne. Organizations considering Falcon should evaluate their security needs, existing infrastructure, and budget, as well as the total cost of ownership.

Winsage

November 3, 2025

Ewaste and Tackling The Issue

The recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) occurs in informal and unsafe conditions, releasing up to 1,000 harmful chemical substances, including neurotoxicants like lead. The average lifespan of electronic devices is 4.5 years, despite many being designed for over 25 years, contributing to an estimated 347 million tonnes of e-waste globally, projected to reach 746 million tonnes by 2030. The electronics industry faces challenges in achieving circularity due to costly and complex reclamation processes. In2tec offers solutions through its ReUSE® and ReCYCLE™ technologies, which enable manufacturers to design modular products and reclaim components from e-waste efficiently. ReUSE® focuses on materials and processes for printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), while ReCYCLE™ uses an ultra-low energy process to recover materials from PCBAs, enhancing product versatility and reducing energy consumption in manufacturing.

Tech Optimizer

September 11, 2025

PgEdge Enterprise Postgres Now Fully Open Source And Scalable For Mission-Critical Workloads – Open Source For You

PgEdge has launched pgEdge Enterprise Postgres, a PostgreSQL distribution designed for enterprise needs, along with a transition of its distributed Postgres components to an open source licensing model. The distributed components, including Spock, Large Object Logical Replication (LOLOR), and Snowflake Sequences, are now licensed under the PostgreSQL License and available on GitHub. PgEdge Enterprise Postgres includes features such as high availability, support for PostgreSQL versions 16, 17, and 18, and enterprise-ready extensions like pgAudit and pgBackrest. Deployment options include native packages, containerization for Kubernetes and Docker, and managed services through PgEdge Cloud.

Tech Optimizer

September 10, 2025

pgEdge Announces pgEdge Enterprise Postgres Alongside Full Commitment to Open Source

pgEdge has launched pgEdge Enterprise Postgres and transitioned to an open source licensing model for its distributed PostgreSQL components. The company is expanding its offerings to support both distributed and non-distributed applications based on standard PostgreSQL. Key features of pgEdge Enterprise Postgres include high availability for various workloads, support for PostgreSQL versions 16, 17, and 18, enterprise-ready extensions, management and monitoring capabilities via pgAdmin, and distributed-ready components. All Distributed Postgres components are now fully open source under the PostgreSQL License, including the Spock, LOLOR, and Snowflake extensions. pgEdge Enterprise Postgres VM Edition is available through a paid subscription, and the Enterprise Container Edition will launch in Q4. The company supports various operating systems and offers optional services, with a high Net Promoter Score from clients. pgEdge's clientele includes enterprises like Bertelsmann, Qube RT, Jobot, and the European Parliament, and it is backed by investors such as Akamai Technologies and Rally Ventures.

Tech Optimizer

September 10, 2025

pgEdge Launches Enterprise Postgres Distribution and Transitions to Full Open Source Licensing

pgEdge has launched pgEdge Enterprise Postgres, designed for enterprise-grade reliability and manageability, compatible with PostgreSQL versions 16, 17, and the upcoming version 18. Key features include high availability, comprehensive support, enterprise-ready extensions (pgAudit, pgBackrest, pgBouncer, PostGIS, pgVector), flexible management options via pgAdmin, and diverse deployment options (virtual machines, Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker). Additionally, pgEdge has transitioned all its distributed Postgres components to an open source licensing model under the PostgreSQL License, including projects like the Spock multi-master logical replication extension and Large Object Logical Replication (LOLOR) extension, now available on GitHub. The pgEdge Enterprise Postgres VM Edition is available through a paid subscription, with a container edition launching in Q4. Optional services include dedicated Forward Deployed Engineer support, with a Net Promoter Score of 100 for support services.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Windows 10 is dying, hardware is pricey, and Citrix says VDI will save you

Citrix is promoting its virtualization platforms to address rising hardware costs and upcoming U.S. tariffs effective April 2025. Vice President Philipp Benkler suggested that organizations could extend the lifespan of existing hardware by using eLux, an operating system acquired from Unicon. As businesses face the end-of-life for Windows 10 and the transition to Windows 11, Citrix advocates for deploying centrally managed remote desktops from existing endpoints through its virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) platform. However, VDI implementation can face challenges such as "boot storms," which may lead to performance issues. Citrix recommends its NetScaler platform to manage these challenges without requiring additional hardware. While Citrix's approach aims to mitigate tariff-related costs, the company has increased its licensing prices, necessitating careful evaluation by organizations considering VDI. Security concerns also arise with NetScaler, as it is often targeted by cybercriminals, potentially introducing vulnerabilities. The effectiveness of Citrix's solution depends on each organization's IT landscape, budget, and ability to manage technical complexities.