>Mark,
> How about other issue like Cost, Ongoing Support and Maintenance Considerations ,hardware and software requirement ...etc.
> What is the weightage for each criteria ?
>
>regard,
>chang

I would not place some weight on hardware, software, etc. I would present such costs to the customer and let them decide what is most cost effective for them. Oracle and SQL Server will run on an NT Server. I also know that Oracle will run on Novell and Unix platforms as well. Software costs are based on the number of concurrent users for Novell, Oracle, NT Server, and SQL Server.

The customer definitely would need staff capable enough to support Oracle or SQL Server, NT Server, Unix, Novell network, whichever is applicable. Competent Oracle DBAs are expensive [over $80,000 US per year] where I live.

The costs of hardware are whatever you can find locally. Just make absolutely sure you do not under-specify what will be needed on any server. Workstations are less risky as far as memory, hard disk size, etc., as long as they are able to run Win 95/98/NT and can connect to the server.

You have to look at other components such as cabling, network interface cards, hubs, routers (not usually needed in small businesses), connection face plates.