I agree with Brent. Actually, I've felt this way for years when I've been asked the SQL Server v Oracle question, or even earlier in my career when I was asked about Windows v Unix. The choice doesn't matter that much and it's not really the platform; it's the people.

Oracle is often seen as the top platform in our industry for handling relational data, but if you give a copy of Oracle 12C to many of the SQL Server staffs that read this newsletter, and it likely won't scale too well. At least not until they learn a bit about how the platform works. The same is true of SQL Server, which is often given to many under-trained and under-qualified people with the idea that they'll just make it work.

We should all be aware that while platforms can be expensive, they really pale in comparison to the cost of the people that will build software on the platform. You certainly might save money with a cheaper platform if you're buying software, but don't forget that additional platforms do need additional training for your staff. As I told a friend recently, anyone can setup SQL Server and get it to run. Until it doesn't.

Education and investment in knowledge is one of the most important areas that technologies and their employers can spend time and money on. However, it takes both of them working together to ensure it pays off.