Disclaimers: I was CTO@Kx for a while, but also like InfluxDB :-)

It is definitely more finance oriented, though Kx are making moves towards other application areas. Another difference I'd highlight is that Kx concentrate on the core database itself, esp. performance and expressiveness of the query language, and leave things like GUIs and admin add-on tools to partners (like first derivatives and aquaq).

kdb does just fine with metrics and sensor data. Personally, I would argue that it's weaker on string handling though, which can hurt in certain use cases.

I doubt it'll go open source any time soon. However, it being around a long time is something salescritters can spin to wonderful effect re stability, support, etc etc. ;-)

I think there are fine application areas in finance that you should consider -- just consider the many areas where the core problem isn't related to juggling TB of market data ticks coming off the exchanges.

Thanks! That last use case you talk about is the one I'm definitely thinking is what we won't be pursuing. Lots of money there, but hard to come after an entrenched competitor that is heavily optimized for it ;)

If KX is making moves into sensors are they competing more with Informix? Or maybe Vertica?

It's been a while since I've been an insider, and these comments are purely from an outside perspective, interacting with such users.

Vertica is seeing use for more historical stuff, and where the time series queries are pretty simple. Informix time series is doing ok, and has better support for rich queries, but isn't really playing realtime. MemSQL has the realtime perf (hi guys!) but needs to beef up on expressiveness. SAP HANA could do it, but not seeing major uptake there.

Still seeing lots of ad hoc solutions, and the expected experimentation with the usual hadoop menagerie (spark is helping make that practical).

The sensor stuff gets interesting at scale. Individual sources may not be producing data that quickly, but in aggregate it can be entertaining volume. Esp. when it comes to mobile things, and correlations become interesting to look at.

Deep thoughts need to wait for the coffee to kick in.

I suspect we'll see a lot of reinvention of technology to cope with these problems; perhaps even open source..