By including strong data warehousing and OLAP services in its upcoming DB2 7.1, IBM is turning its database server into an end-to-end offering more complete than any other except Microsoft's SQL Server 7.0, which has similar capabilities in a somewhat easier-to-use package.
Our labs tested a beta release of the server, which is available on both Windows NT and Windows 2000. We found that the package offers companies a comprehensive, well-integrated, highly programmable database platform that, unlike Microsoft's offering, reaches from handhelds to Unix servers to mainframes. Current customers and new users alike will find the package compelling.
With its support for shared-nothing clustering, Java and SQL99 stored procedures, object-oriented database designs and pre-calculated summary tables, the sophistication of DB2's core database engine is matched only by Oracle's Oracle8i.
DB2 is substantially less expensive than Oracle8i, which doesn't include an online analytical processing server, but DB2 doesn't have a few high-end features found in Oracle, such as bit-map indexes (though DB2 can construct nonpersistent bitmap indexes from its on-disk B-tree indexes on the fly).
The software is available for a broad set of operating systems. Prices start at AU$2,285.71 per server (allows up to 4 processors, and includes 1 user) and AU$569.71 per user for DB2 Workgroup Edition, which runs on Intel-based servers only, or AU$40,268.80 per processor with unlimited users for DB2 Enterprise Edition, which runs on non-Intel platforms.
With both IBM and Microsoft now including data warehousing tools with databases, the market for third-party data movement tools from companies such as Data Junction Corp. and Sagent Technology Inc. is drying up. We found moving data between databases ââ,¬" either between DB2 platforms or between DB2 and other database products ââ,¬" easy using the new Data Warehouse Center included with DB2.
Data Warehouse Center, based on IBM's Visual Warehouse, let us define source and target databases and then extract, transform and load data between a Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 database and a DB2 7.1 database using a graphical flowchart interface.
A new DB2 OLAP Starter Kit is included with DB2 for OLAP analysis. It is a version of Hyperion Solutions Corp.'s Essbase and includes Essbase's OLAP client for Microsoft Excel or Lotus Development's 1-2-3. Building an OLAP cube using IBM's administration tools was a straightforward process, though we would like to have OLE DB for OLAP protocol support because this is an emerging OLAP standard and is what Microsoft Excel uses natively.
DB2's administration tool has some fit-and-finish improvements but doesn't yet manage DB2 summary tables.
Executive Summary
DB2 7.1 provides a comprehensive set of data management and administration tools for businesses of any size. Organisations with IBM host-based databases, or those with data warehousing or OLAP server projects, will find this release especially appealing.
Short-term Business Impact
Having data warehousing and OLAP servers in the box, along with integrated administration tools, means businesses will be able to easily provide new data analysis services to their users.
Long-term Business Impact
DB2's built-in XML (Extensible Markup Language) storage and query support and new partnerships with packaged application vendors, including Siebel Systems and SAP AG (which recently switched to DB2 from Oracle as its preferred platform), mean the database provides businesses with a solid foundation for future growth.
Pros
New data warehousing and OLAP services; XML and geographical data support; simple, easy-to-use stored procedure language.
Cons
OLAP server doesn't support OLE DB for OLAP interface; administration tool doesn't manage summary tables.
IBM DB2 Universal Database 7.1
Company: IBM
Ph: 132 426; Fax: 02 9951 9793
Price: Workgroup Edition, AU$2,285.71 per server (allows up to 4 processors, and includes 1 user) and AU$569.71 per user; Enterprise Edition, AU$40,268.80 per processor.
Rating: 4 Star
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