Data In Action

IBM today announced the latest release of their database and data warehouse – DB2 9.7 and InfoSphere Warehouse 9.7 – two huge innovations that will change the way the industry operates. Code-named “Cobra,” DB2  9.7 can save customers up to 75% on storage – more than any competitor. In addition, this is the industry’s first database software to deliver business analytics for relational and XML data simultaneously.

If you are an Oracle or Microsoft database customer, what does this mean to you?

1. You can do a little jig because now you have a very cost effective option that gives you top level performance, high availability and development productivity. The proverbial “best of both worlds” option.

2. Just like with the cable company, this is the right time to question charges on your database bill. Ask your vendor why you’re paying through the nose for features that IBM offers for much less, or in some cases, for free. Compare apples to apples and you’ll see that DB2 can save you a bundle on administration, storage and development costs. Plus there are new features to make your migration painless, less risky and less expensive.

3. If you have a mandate to go green, you now have a solid proof point to show that your database is green. DB2 9.7, the greenest database in the industry, can save you on server costs, electricity and floor space, reducing the carbon footprint of your data. It’s no coincidence that DB2 9.7 was announced on Earth Day.

4. When comparing costs, don’t forget to add database administration and development costs, and the cost to hire, update and retain skills. DB2 9.7 packs in many hands-free administration features (including self optimization, self tuning and self healing) that let your DBA’s work on stuff that’s really important. There are also a ton of pureXML and data type enhancements for developers, further reducing development time and cost.

Read what customers and business partners are saying about DB2 9.7. Better yet, join the Early Access program and try the code yourself or join the free web cast to get your questions answered.

If you find yourself trapped in a bad marriage with your database vendor, it’s time to break free of low value, expensive maintenance contracts and opportunistic pricing. Find out more at ibm.com/breakfree.

ps: I don’t usually talk about gadgets and features because what really matters is business benefits to end customes, but here’s a few highlights for the tech savvy:

- Indexes, XML data and LOB’s can be compressed in DB2 9.7

- XML is now in the warehouse! In addition, XML data is now fully supported by DPF

- Cubing Services are now integrated with Cognos, BOBJ, MS Office and more

- Python and Linux Workload Management are supported by DB2 9.7

Attend the free web cast on May 6 @ 11:30EST, to learn more or ask questions from the architects behind the products. Click here to register.