Rocket U2 has announced UniData 7.3. The first major UniData release since the U2 group was acquired by Rocket Software from IBM, UniData 7.3 represents over a year of work on a combination of development and QA.
A major release of UniVerse, release 11.1, was also released in 2010.
New UniData Features
In terms of new functionality, the new release delivers U2 Dynamic Objects (UDO), which enables an easier way to exchange data with web services and further extends the value of a UniData application. UDO also allows users to easily provide or consume data in JSON format. In addition, replication with External Database Access (EDA) can be used to replicate data to a SQL database on the same server. Organizations can store data in UniData, with it simultaneously replicated to Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, or IBM DB2 for data-mining or reporting. The release also includes the U2 MetaData Manager (U2 MDM), a drag and drop mapping tool that is expected to eventually replace the Visual Schema Generator that is part of UniData.
With this release, Susie Siegesmund, vice president and general manager, U2 Brand, Rocket Software, tells 5 Minute Briefing, U2 is also answering the request from some customers for data typing. Data type enforcement will provide an optional check on data written to file in order assure that only valid data is stored. The initial data type enforcement capability will be augmented with additional functionality when the 7.3.1 release comes out in June, Siegesmund notes.
Another new key offering is U2 RESTful Web Services, says Siegesmund. Rocket U2 recently changed its way of releasing clients and tools to separate them from the database delivery package. And, instead of labeling them as UniData or UniVerse, Rocket U2 now releases U2 clients and DB tools that work for both databases, and these are based on the Eclipse development platform. While not technically part of the 7.3 release, the recent tools release included the U2 RESTful Web Services that were developed alongside the 7.3 release, Siegesmund notes. "The neat thing about U2 RESTful Web Services is that it allows you to use dynamic languages to write programs that will run on UniData or UniVerse so people can use Python or Ruby on Rails, whatever they want to use to write programs. We are looking toward this being the way we are going to open the door to get younger, more modern developers to build new applications using the data servers."
Showcasing U2 at NoSQL Conference
In the NoSQL arena, the attributes of scalability, high performance, and reliability are very desirable, notes Siegesmund, pointing out, "We have a good foundation on which to make those claims." As part of an effort to be considered as an option for a NoSQL environment, Rocket U2 is sending Dan McGrath, U2 product manager at Rocket Software, to represent the company at the NoSQL Matters Conference in Cologne, Germany, in May, says Siegesmund. McGrath will present an overview of the Rocket U2 databases, the MultiValue model, and its benefits, including flexibility, performance, and automatic data encryption.
U2 University
For the first time, on day-one of the U2 University Conference in Denver, U2 will present "Rocket Day." Andy Youniss, president and CEO of Rocket Software, will be the featured keynote speaker, followed by presentations from leaders of each of Rocket's business segments. The day will include demos and the opportunity to meet Rocket experts on business intelligence and analytics; storage, networks, and compliance; application development, integration, and modernization; and database servers and tools. The goal, is to showcase the technologies that Rocket has in-house in order to offer as many of its products to as many of its customers as possible, Siegesmund explains.
Complimentary Certification Exams
As in the past, U2 certification tests are complimentary at U2U. According to Rocket, this represents a $100 value for each exam taken. Check the schedule for times and locations.
This year, U2 is offering two webinars to help attendees prepare for the exams. Certification Preparation for Rocket U2 Applications Developers (Exam 557) presented by Michael Ryan, education consultant for Rocket U2 will be held Monday, April 23 9-10 am MDT; and Certification Preparation for Rocket U2 Administration Exams presented by Joan Dunn, senior education consultant for Rocket U2, will be held Tuesday, April 24 9-10 am MDT.
For those who cannot attend the live webinar and Q&A sessions, recorded webinars will be available on the U2 website.