Sometimes, it can take months to get a proper database server up and running in large companies. They have all kinds of policies, which means that this process takes months. An alternative in the meantime is to place an SQLite database directly on a file server. This works nicely for a limited number of users (I have had success with serving 100 users, using one such database), and it is only recommended for non-critical data. Now I have been thinking about ways to get a database, which is placed on a file server to be able to handle, say ten times as many users. The basic idea I have is to utilize the many, mostly idle desktop computers around the company. Again, the data would be non-critical, database access could be slow, and uptime of 99.0% is sufficient.
Do you see any way of utilizing these, mostly ideal desktop computers to help reduce the load on the file server? Do you have any idea of DBMS, which would be most suited, SQLite was just my first thought. It would be best with an open-source, one so I could hire someone to adapt it for this purpose. Alternatively, I would be interested in building a DBMS for this purpose from scratch.
I know that any experienced DBA will pull their hair out over this question, but would really have value due to the policies of these companies.