Database Management Articles
Yesterday, Oracle announced a world record result on the SAP Business Intelligence-Data Mart (BI-D) standard application benchmark. According to Oracle, this result surpasses the best IBM DB2 result on this benchmark with more than eight times the performance.
Posted June 02, 2010
Embarcadero Technologies, a provider of database design, development and management tools for all major database platforms, has unveiled a new line of XE branded database products that incorporate three distinguishing features - deep, native support across all major databases with a consistent user interface, centralized license management and on-demand tool access via Embarcadero ToolCloud, and an easy upgrade path to Embarcadero All-Access XE.
Posted June 02, 2010
Teradata has acquired xkoto, the creator of GRIDSCALE, an active-active solution that virtualizes the database infrastructure, enabling businesses to distribute application loads horizontally across multiple database copies for better reliability and performance.
Posted June 01, 2010
Embarcadero Technologies, a provider of database design, development and management tools for all major database platforms, has unveiled a new line of XE branded database products that incorporate three distinguishing features - deep, native support across all major databases with a consistent user interface, centralized license management and on-demand tool access via Embarcadero ToolCloud, and an easy upgrade path to Embarcadero All-Access XE.
Posted June 01, 2010
The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected the InterSystems CACHÉ high-performance object database to support the scientific processing of the Gaia mission. This mission's aim is to map the Milky Way with precision. The Gaia mission will launch in mid-2012 to conduct a census of all the billion stars in our galaxy. Gaia will observe all celestial objects down to their lowest magnitude. Each object will be observed an average of 70 times during a 5-year period, charting their positions, distances, movements and changes in brightness. Gaia is expected to discover hundreds of thousands of new objects, such as extra-solar planets and failed stars known as brown dwarfs. Within our own solar system, Gaia will be able to identify hundreds of thousands of asteroids.
Posted June 01, 2010
Varonis Systems Inc., a provider of data governance software, will soon be shipping Version 5.5 of its data management and governance toolsets. The updated editions of DatAdvantage and DataPrivilege represent the latest evolution of Varonis' Meta-data Framework, which enables customers to identify sensitive unstructured and semi-structured data on their file systems, SharePoint sites and network-attached storage (NAS) devices, find areas with excessive permissions and abnormal access activity, understand who can access, who is accessing, who shouldn't have access, and who owns the data, and remediate risk faster than traditional data protection products.
Posted June 01, 2010
IBM has announced a new DB2 feature that allows clients to more easily move their applications written for Sybase ASE to DB2, adding to the support for Oracle Database applications introduced last year. "With this new feature, we are adding the compatibility capabilities for applications that are written for Sybase ASE to run with little and in many cases no changes to the application," Bernie Spang, director of database strategy and marketing at IBM, tells 5 Minute Briefing.
Posted June 01, 2010
Bradmark Technologies, Inc., a provider of application solutions for database management, announced that its flagship product, SurveillanceDB, has been selected by Facets users, including Blue Care Network of Michigan, Kansas City, Wellpoint and others as their monitoring solution to ensure overall system efficiency by reducing the time to identify and resolve database issues and track departmental usage. Facets is TriZetto's enterprisewide software solution for health plan administration. The state-of-the-art platform, with integrated applications, automates processes across an entire enterprise and drives greater cost-efficiencies. Facets also helps organizations support the consumer-directed products demanded by today's retail healthcare market and deliver advanced care management capabilities.
Posted June 01, 2010
Embarcadero Technologies has released Rapid SQL XE, the latest version of its integrated development environment (IDE) that enables developers and database administrators (DBAs) to produce high quality SQL code faster. Rapid SQL XE includes direct native support for heterogeneous database environments from a single user interface, and debuts support for Embarcadero InterBase and the open source Firebird database, in addition to full Unicode support.
Posted May 26, 2010
SAP and Sybase, Inc. have announced that SAP's subsidiary, SAP America, Inc., has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire Sybase, in a transaction that will bring them together to enable companies to become better-run "unwired enterprises." The planned transaction is expected to close in July 2010, and, according to the companies, Sybase, based in Dublin, Calif., will be run as a standalone company under the name "Sybase an SAP company."
Posted May 26, 2010
The Rocket U2 team has announced a call for beta participants for its new product, U2 DataVu. Based on Rocket Shuttle, U2 DataVu will provide U2 developers with powerful and flexible ad hoc query, reporting and dashboard capabilities. With native access to UniData and UniVerse U2, developers can use U2 DataVu's graphical drag and drop capabilities to build visual reports and dashboards with zero programming.
Posted May 26, 2010
A major new release of PostgreSQL, the enterprise-class open source database, is now in beta, and is expected to be released into general availability this summer. PostgreSQL version 9.0 is the first version to include built-in real-time binary database replication with query scale-out, consisting of two features, hot standby and streaming replication.
Posted May 26, 2010
A major new release of PostgreSQL, the enterprise-class open source database, is now in beta, and is expected to be released into general availability this summer. PostgreSQL version 9.0 is the first version to include built-in real-time binary database replication with query scale-out, consisting of two features, hot standby and streaming replication.
Posted May 26, 2010
Oracle has agreed to acquire Secerno, a provider of database firewall solutions for Oracle and non-Oracle databases. According to Oracle, Secerno's solution adds a critical defensive layer of security around databases, which blocks unauthorized activity in real time.
Posted May 25, 2010
Continuing its investment in MySQL, Oracle unveiled the latest release of MySQL Enterprise, a comprehensive offering of production support, monitoring tools, and MySQL database software. A key component of the release is MySQL Enterprise Monitor 2.2, which delivers enhanced query performance monitoring, improved security, and time-saving integration with MySQL Support. MySQL Enterprise Monitor helps organizations more efficiently manage MySQL servers and helps reduce downtime by identifying problems before they become costly outages.
Posted May 20, 2010
Embarcadero Technologies has released Rapid SQL XE, the latest version of its integrated development environment (IDE) that enables developers and database administrators (DBAs) to produce high quality SQL code faster. Rapid SQL XE includes direct native support for heterogeneous database environments from a single user interface, and debuts support for Embarcadero InterBase and the open source Firebird database, in addition to full Unicode support.
Posted May 20, 2010
HiT Software, a provider of provider of data integration and change data capture software products, has been acquired by BackOffice Associates, a provider of data migration, data governance and master data management solutions for Oracle, SAP and other ERP vendors.
Posted May 20, 2010
Altova recently announced the availability of Version 2010 Release 3 (v2010r3) of the Altova MissionKit, an integrated suite of XML, database, and UML tools. This latest release provides a range of usability and performance enhancements as well as integration with Visual Studio 2010 and support for industry standards such as iXBRL and National Information Exchange Model (NIEM).
Posted May 20, 2010
Microsoft last week announced that volume licensing downloads for SQL Server 2008 R2 are available in all languages, including the public availability of PowerPivot functionality. Customers can now download the trial version of Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010 and the web downloads of PowerPivot for Excel and SharePoint.
Posted May 18, 2010
A major new release of PostgreSQL, the enterprise-class open source database, is now in beta, and is expected to be released into general availability this summer. PostgreSQL version 9.0 is the first version to include built-in real-time binary database replication with query scale-out, consisting of two features, hot standby and streaming replication.
Posted May 18, 2010
ParaScale, Inc. has introduced a new version of its cloud storage platform with advanced features for data security, protection and accessibility. Release 2.5 of ParaScale Cloud Storage software also includes features to efficiently address 'big data' requirements by enabling data services and application integration directly onto storage nodes.
Posted May 18, 2010
SAP and Sybase, Inc. announced Wednesday afternoon that SAP's subsidiary, SAP America, Inc., has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire Sybase for approximately $5.8 billion, in a transaction that will bring the companies together to enable customers to become better-run "unwired enterprises." The transaction is expected to close in July 2010, and Sybase will be run as a standalone company. "This is a strategic moment for SAP, for Sybase, our customers, and the IT industry," said Bill McDermott, co-CEO of SAP and a member of the SAP executive board, in a conference call for analyst and the press. "This acquisition is about accelerating growth for both businesses. This transaction is fully aligned with our strategic objectives to significantly expand our addressable market, opening up new opportunities in mobility, in-memory computing, and analytics."
Posted May 13, 2010
Ingres Corporation, an open source database management company, has entered into a strategic agreement with Bendigo Partners, LLC to promote the use of Ingres VectorWise within the financial services industry. Bendigo Partners focuses on investment and operating partner opportunities in global, technology-driven financial services. It supports product expansion, global expansion, acquisitions, or technology and operational efficiencies with both capital and expertise.
Posted May 11, 2010
Altova recently announced the availability of Version 2010 Release 3 (v2010r3) of the Altova MissionKit, an integrated suite of XML, database, and UML tools. This latest release provides a range of usability and performance enhancements as well as integration with Visual Studio 2010 and support for industry standards such as iXBRL and National Information Exchange Model (NIEM).
Posted May 11, 2010
HiT Software, a provider of provider of data integration and change data capture software products, was acquired last week by BackOffice Associates, a provider of data migration, data governance and master data management solutions for Oracle, SAP and other ERP vendors.
Posted May 11, 2010
Embarcadero Technologies has released Rapid SQL XE, the latest version of its integrated development environment (IDE) that enables developers and database administrators (DBAs) to produce high quality SQL code faster. Rapid SQL XE includes direct native support for heterogeneous database environments from a single user interface, and debuts support for Embarcadero InterBase and the open source Firebird database, in addition to full Unicode support.
Posted May 11, 2010
You're probably familiar with the old saying that "it's not what you know, it's who you know." That may have been true back in the days when conversations about competitive advantage concerned memberships at prestigious golf clubs and lavish expense accounts; in the days when data was regarded as mere records of transactions, production and inventory levels. Today's conversations about competitive advantage may still include talk of personal relationships. More frequently, though, these conversations reflect the relatively recent appreciation of the intrinsic value of enterprise data - a value seen not just by senior executives, but also by employees in virtually every department. There is broad consensus in most organizations that enterprise data, and perhaps more importantly, the ability to analyze large volumes or smaller subsets of data at will, in real time, are crucial business differentiators.
Posted May 10, 2010
Mergers and acquisitions often come quickly and when they do, it is critical to have tools and utilities capable of scaling to meet new challenges so operations continue seamlessly, customer service standards are upheld, and costs are contained. This was the case for UGI Utilities, a large natural gas and electric service provider in the eastern U.S. In 2006, UGI acquired the natural gas utility assets of PG Energy from Southern Union Company. A longtime customer of BMC, UGI found it was aligned with the right software company to provide implementation of mainframe service management solutions as well as first class support to get the job done and successfully integrate the newly acquired company's data into its environment, saving time and money.
Posted May 10, 2010
Application monitoring started off with a simple need - to help an administrator or manager of an application, monitor and manage its performance. It was narrow in scope and limited in use - to monitor a single application and provide metrics useful for managing that application only. Monitoring tools were often provided by application vendors, but the growing and complex nature of IT environments necessitated the entry of third-party monitoring tools. These were more specialized, with the ability to centrally monitor several different applications. They helped administrators gain visibility across several different applications, understand where problems occurred, and helped to quickly resolve them.
Posted May 10, 2010
It is rare to find an implemented database devoid of reference tables. Reference tables provide valid values for drop-down lists and in a slightly obtuse way, also allow for expression of a domain or user-defined data type within the database design. Nominally a reference list is but a list of values to be referenced. In practice, the implemented structure of a reference table is driven by small nuances regarding how each list is used. The signifiers may consist of a code or number that creates a short-hand way of expressing a state or value. Yet in addition to such simple codes, a "medium length" name column or even a column to contain a lengthy text description should exist in support of these codes. The names may be used in drop-down lists so that people need not memorize many code values, and the descriptions can assist help-functions by providing users with more understanding of a value's meaning or intended use. For operational applications it may be worthwhile to have an attribute expressing the order in which items should be displayed, unless alphabetical display is a preference. If codes are maintained via online screens, an indicator may be helpful in flagging values that are part of the system and not to be removed or deactivated via those online screens.
Posted May 10, 2010
One thing I really enjoy about the SQL Server community is its vibrancy. I'll give you details on the SQL Server community's explosive growth in a moment, but let's start by comparing Microsoft SQL Server's user community with those of other significant database platforms.
Posted May 10, 2010
Oracle president Charles Phillips unveiled Oracle Enterprise Manager 11g during a presentation in the Guggenheim Museum's Peter B. Lewis Theater filled with customers, analysts and the press. "Now that we can instrument the entire stack, because it is our stack, we can do things we couldn't do before," Phillips told the audience. There is value in being able to get a handle on management costs and gain more predictable environments so downtime is not a threat, and integration is not a struggle, he stressed.
Posted May 05, 2010
5 Minute Briefing had an opportunity to meet with CONFIO at the COLLABORATE 10 conference in Las Vegas. CONFIO recently launched ignite8, the database performance monitoring tool that supports the four major databases installed: Oracle, SQL Server, IBM DB2 and Sybase. CONFIO ignite8 has been extensively field tested and uses historical trend data to resolve current database performance problems.
Posted May 05, 2010
Pillar Data Systems has introduced new features to increase the performance, efficiency and ease of management for its Pillar Axiom storage system, building on the Axiom's Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities.
Posted May 05, 2010
Fulfilling its commitment to quickly integrate the Sun partner community and provide opportunities for them to grow and profit with Oracle, the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) has expanded its partner enablement resources to include new training resources and Specializations for core Sun and Oracle technologies.
Posted May 05, 2010
Composite Software, Inc., a provider of data virtualization middleware, has expanded its federal operations in response to accelerating government agency demand. The company increased its federal team with key new hires in sales, sales engineering, and services, and solidified a new GSA partnership with Carahsoft Technology Corp., a government IT solutions provider, to build upon a second consecutive year of greater than 50% revenue growth.
Posted May 04, 2010
Idera, a provider of Microsoft SQL Server management and administration tools, announced SQL virtual database 1.3, the latest release for this solution that enables backup files to look and act just like a real SQL Server database within SQL Server Management Studio and other SQL Server applications. With SQL virtual database, users can run queries, insert and delete data, run reports and perform resource-intensive checks like index fragmentation and database integrity against SQL Server database backup files.
Posted May 04, 2010
Idera, a provider of Microsoft SQL Server management and administration tools, announced SQL virtual database 1.3, the latest release for this solution that enables backup files to look and act just like a real SQL Server database within SQL Server Management Studio and other SQL Server applications. With SQL virtual database, users can run queries, insert and delete data, run reports and perform resource-intensive checks like index fragmentation and database integrity against SQL Server database backup files.
Posted May 04, 2010
Sybase has announced the availability of Sybase PowerBuilder 12. The new release of Sybase's rapid application development tool enables developers to easily and cost effectively create or migrate their business applications on the Microsoft .NET Framework, for modern and visually appealing application user experiences.
Posted April 29, 2010
Sybase has announced support for iPad and Android devices with the latest release of Afaria. With the new ability to secure and manage iPad and Android, Sybase extends its device support to a list that includes iPhone, Windows Mobile, Windows, Symbian and BlackBerry.
Posted April 29, 2010
Sybase technical experts are planning a series of Developer Days throughout the United States and Europe to showcase the latest releases of its industry-leading development software. All seminars are free and run from 8:30am - 2pm local time (timing may vary slightly by location) with breakfast and lunch included.
Posted April 29, 2010
Sybase TechWave 2010 will be held August 9-11 at the Hilton Washington, in Washington, DC. Sybase has announced it is planning to expand the event to include another day of technical training.
Posted April 29, 2010
Microsoft has announced that SQL Server 2008 R2 has been released to manufacturing and customers can expect availability in the next few weeks through Microsoft's distribution channels. According to Microsoft, SQL Server 2008 R2 represents a continued commitment to mission-critical workloads, providing a scalable platform, increased developer and IT efficiency and managed self-service business intelligence.
Posted April 27, 2010
5 Minute Briefing: Information Management visited the COLLABORATE 10 conference for Oracle users last week in Las Vegas and had an opportunity to meet with new Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) president, David Ferguson. The conference, held at the Mandalay Bay convention center in Las Vegas, was jointly sponsored by the OAUG, the Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG) and Quest International Users Group. Attendance was estimated at over 5,000 with excellent attendance at the sessions and brisk exhibit floor activity during the breaks.
Posted April 27, 2010
5 Minute Briefing had an opportunity to meet with CONFIO at last week's COLLABORATE 10 conference in Las Vegas. CONFIO recently launched ignite8, the database performance monitoring tool that supports the four major databases installed: Oracle, SQL Server, IBM DB2 and Sybase. CONFIO ignite8 has been extensively field tested and uses historical trend data to resolve current database performance problems.
Posted April 27, 2010
Panorama Software, a business intelligence solutions vendor, announced the launch of NovaView for PowerPivot, a business intelligence suite built on top of the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 PowerPivot platform. Microsoft's PowerPivot offers a managed self-service BI capability and in-memory engine.
Posted April 27, 2010
Demonstrating its continued commitment to lifetime support, new enhancements, and application innovation with the Oracle "Applications Unlimited" program, Oracle recently announced that global customers, including BP America, McDonald's, The Principal Financial Group and Standard Pacific Homes have implemented Oracle Applications.
Posted April 21, 2010
With data volumes and database instances on the rise, organizations are encountering challenges in managing and maintaining their information infrastructure, according to the results of the 2010 IOUG Enterprise Platform Decisions Survey. Participants in the survey acknowledged that steps need to be taken to control the costs and complexity of their data environments while addressing the need for continued growth. The use of advanced virtualization strategies was identified by respondents as a key to better managing these diverse environments.
Posted April 21, 2010
Oracle has announced two new products intended to enable companies to run Oracle WebLogic-based applications within virtualized environments. The first product, Oracle WebLogic Suite Virtualization Option, brings together Oracle WebLogic Server with Oracle's JRockit Virtual Edition. The second new offering, Oracle Virtual Assembly Builder, provides a framework for automatically capturing the configuration of existing software components and packaging them as self-contained building blocks known as appliances.
Posted April 21, 2010