The context : My current project uses VistaDB as it really fits the main scenario: the user log into the application, selects the DB (file on HDD or Network drive), does his job, then logs off. The DB (a single file) can be copied (email, usb dongle, cd ...) and transfered to colleagues or to the headquarters. And, best of all, the DB is royalty free !
The bad part is that the DB needs frequent maintenance, to prevent file bloat, because the files become really large and slow, but the worse part is data corruption. My clients are mostly located in 3rd world countries where power shortages occur several times per day, they can't be making 10 data backups a day and I can't force them to buy UPS's (I recommended it nonetheless).
These clients don't seem to understand that they lost their DB because they weren't following my advices... to some extent I agree with them.. I should have chosen a fault tolerant db to start with..
The question : Would Sql Anywhere do the trick? I mean fit the usage scenario and be fault resistant enough as to prevent data corruption on unexpected computer shutdowns?
If you are a Sybase Savvy reading this, could you tell what kind of license I would need to purchase and what kind of license would each of my customers need to purchase? I have already emailed Sybase's sales department but haven't received any reply yet (48h ago).
Additional information : Please don't get me wrong, I really like VistaDB it's just that in this case it doesn't fit my requirements anymore which have recently became to preserve my reputation and to keep my customers.
Many thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge of Sybase Sql Anywhere.
I have hidden the prices. Feel free to contact Sybase for more information
To distribute our software you have two options:
For the BSA Programm you recieve a lot of value, for example:
BSA - OEM option After you are a BSA member you have the option to distribute licenses under an OEM license. For example OEM SQL Anywhere minimum amount of pre-purchased Seats/Server license of 100 seats/server license cost ////,-- ( //,-- per seat/Server ) . This is a one time fee for a OEM SQL Anywhere version. This version can only be used under the application of the BSA partner.
We ship one OEMCD which entitles the BSA partner to embed and distribute the software
Attached is the enduser pricelist for the licences and support. As you can see the minimum license per comapny is a 5-user base package. If you distributute via the OEM license you can distribute 1 seat/server if this is a standalone application.
If you are a BSA - reseller partner of Sybase iAnywhere you get a discount on the regular pricing of
Let me insist that VistaDB has a lot of qualities and I am just investigating to see if other products can offer more robustness/reliability given the environments in which my application is being deployed.
Edit
The VistaDB support team has been very honest and has admited the db was corrupted. They have provided me with guidance on how to prevent this and have almost completely restored a database i had submited (only 1 row was lost out of all those that seemed to have disappeared : I-am-relieved). I just felt like I had to update this thread to do them justice (them have spent 60hours+ to fix the DB).