IIUG Insider (Issue #94) April 2008

Highlights: Conference conference Informix stuff, conference, Informix stuff, Informix stuff, old and new Board members, and all sorts of stuff.

Welcome to the International Informix Users Group (IIUG) Insider! Designed for IIUG members and Informix user group leaders, this publication contains timely and relevant information for the IBM Informix community.

Contents:

Now. Turn the page… hit the ‘pg dn’ key… click down the page… whatever nods your noggin but read this issue of the IIUG Insider and then write me a note (insider@iiug.org). Do it NOW. 🙂 🙂 🙂

 


Editorial Back to top

Hi yaarr’llll. This Insider comes from the middle of the middle of the USA, from the 1st IIUG Informix conference and the largest pure Informix event since the year 2000.

This has been one heck of a conference. For a start it is a ‘full’ conference. ‘Full’ because we had to stop taking registrations before the conference opened. ‘Full’ because the program is ‘full on’. ‘Full’ because the food is fabulous.

The conference is also very well organized, especially considering all the background work has been done by a group of unpaid, Informix zealots. The conference team has done a superbly professional job. Well done team.

The conference is also very interesting. Starting with a great set of full and half day tutorials, a great exhibition, very dynamic Key Note addresses from Ambuj Goyal and Arvind Krishna, and 4 tracks of the latest, of the best of, Informix. The buzz around the conference is just incredible and exciting. The people I speak to are just having a great time and learning heaps. This is a superb conference.

I also had a lot of great feedback about the Insider. It seams a lot of you actually read this, which is the best news I have heard in a while (sure… I need to get out more but…).

And, as we have come to expect, the conference was over flowing with IBM Informix people. There were IBM’ers from the Informix architects group, developers, the support teams, marketing whatnots, product managers, execs with world wide sales, support and marketing responsibility and of – course Ambuj and Arvind. IBM stood and delivered… and delivered well.

In the last Insider Stu asked if Trev was coming to the conference. Well he is a low profile sort of bloke but I did notice him hanging around, chatti… errr… studying hard the presentations. He didn’t sing, much to the relief of all, and, to be sure, he does remain a one-eyed, fat-headed, Informix bigot. But for all that, I like him.

But all good things come to an end. The conference is near finished and so is my time as IIUG Director and Editor of the Insider. Yes. With real regret I hand in my badge and pass on the torch, so to speak, to the new editor. It has been a huge pleasure assembling and writing the Insider. I have had a lot of fun. And I have enjoyed the great positive feedback that many of you have sent in. Thank you.

Although leaving, my commitment to Informix and the IIUG remains strong. I will do whatever I can to continue to help grow this organization especially in Asia and the Pacific. And if you send me information for the Insider, I will make sure it gets to the right people, for publication.

The International Informix Users Group is undoubtedly the finest IT focused User Community on this planet. It has been, and is, instrumental in driving the development of the Informix product and the commitment of IBM to Informix. You, the members of this great organization, are the real heroes. I thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve you.

So to all my friends (and the odd enemy I made)…Hei kona ra.

Good bye. I will miss you.

David

david@iiug.org

PS. We got a true Kansas welcome to the conference… See below. Note the International Informix Users Group Race Fans. More truth in that statement than they realize. 🙂


Cool Informix stuff Back to top

Announcing Cheetah 2!!!

The next generation of IDS Cheetah was announced today at the Informix Users Group Conference, and in an IBM press release. This latest release of IDS introduces some impressive new capabilities while building upon the classic features that have made IDS so popular among its many fans.

In his keynote speech at the IIUG Conference, Ambuj Goyal, General Manager of the IBM Information Management division, formally announced the product and the new features that IDS 11.5 has to offer. This is a very strong product.

Today’s press release also showcases the excitement surrounding IDS 11.5.

“Global businesses of all sizes and across all industries are looking to gain a competitive advantage from the ability to execute uninterrupted business transactions locally and across their global enterprise,” said Inhi Cho, vice president, IBM Data Management Marketing, in today’s press release. “The new version of IDS delivers the speed, agility and efficiency to help our clients enhance their overall business performance and reduce costs as their companies grow.”

IDS 11.5 will be available worldwide to customers, developers and partners on May 6.

Find out more about IDS 11.5:

http://www.ibm.com/informix/new

Read the press release:

http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/24028.wss

You can download the conference presentations from the IIUG

The conference papers from the Conference will be available next week (sometime) from the member the area on http://www.iiug.org. You will need to log in to the member area to get them but this is easy if you use your login link at the bottom of this document.

Go get em dudes. This was one great conference and the presentations are very good. Trev.

Become a Founding Member of the Middle East user Group

Are you an Informix user residing in Egypt or the Middle East? Do you want to see more local Informix activities? Would you like to be part of the planning for an event in Cairo later this year? Then YOU can be a part of Informix history and help our family grow! We have a group of users interested in forming a local user group in this area. The Informix momentum around the world and IBM support for Informix makes this an exciting and appropriate time for Informix lovers to come together and start their own local community in the Middle East.

We are working with IBM to bring some of the technical content and speakers from the recent International Informix User Group conference to the local marketplace. Contact Cindy Lichtenauer (cindy@iiug.org) if you are interested in participating.

Reply quickly to be one of the founding members and help lay out the strategy for the Informix User group roadmap in this region. Contact Mahmoud Kassem at mahmoud.kassem@esmartsoft.com.eg.

Webcast Replay available for “Live from IIUG”

Get the Scoop on IBM Informix Cheetah 2 from the Product Architects

Hundreds registered and attended the live webcast from the IIUG conference on Tuesday, April 29th. It was a lively discussion, with Jerry Keesee leading off with details about the IDS 11.5 announcement, followed by 40 minutes of Q&A with IDS architects Kevin Brown, Madison Pruet, Jonathan Leffler, John Miller and Scott Lashley. If you missed the live webcast, you can listen to the replay at:

/url/iic2008_webcast.html

Web banner advertising for Informix

Have you seen the IDS advertisements making their appearance on various internet sites lately? Check out the following websites (and others) for rotating ads that include an “IDS 24/7” ad from IBM. If you would like to include this ad on your internet site, contact Cathy Elliott (cathyell@us.ibm.com) for more details.

Get Carlton Doe’s ebook “IBM Informix Dynamic Server 11”

Here’s a direct link to the IDS 11 e-book written by Carlton Doe, which is featured in the ad above.

/url/ids11_ebook.html

This is the updated version and incorporates the IDS 11.5 features. Very cool.

Informix for the younger audience

So is IBM reaching the kids for Informix eh??? Well…. IDS is already a part of the IBM Academic Initiative, which provides software and materials to universities and schools to encourage the use of IBM products. And IBM is ramping up the volume and awareness with some new activities in this area. For instance…

IDS SQL Game – The following game has been developed by the IBM education team to learn SQL with the use of IDS. Check out the developerWorks article and share with your young students:

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/dm-dw-dm-0804moffatt-i.html

Are you interested in being an IBM Informix ambassador at a secondary school, college or university? Contact Cathy Elliott (cathyell@us.ibm.com) if you are interested in learning more about a new outreach program for educational institutions, and if you’d like to get involved with activities in your area of the world.

Press coverage and excitement around Cheetah 2

The press is taking notice of the “Cheetah 2” announcement, and these worldwide press articles are already available:

IBM Helps Clients Reduce Data Management Costs With New Informix Dynamic Server
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0391034.htm

eWeek: IBM Uncages Cheetah 2 Data Server
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Database/IBM-UnCages-Cheetah-2-Data-Server/

In Germany:

IBM veröffentlicht Informix 11.5
/url/tripple.html

Cheetah 2 rückt Oracle auf den Pelz
http://www.computerwoche.de/index.cfm?pid=378&pk=1862347

IBM veröffentlicht Informix 11.5
/url/cebit.html

IBM erneuert Informix
http://www.silicon.de/cio/b2b/0,39038988,39190262,00/ibm+erneuert+informix.htm

IBM aktualisiert Informix Dynamic Server auf Version 11.5
/url/it-business.html

Neuer IBM Informix Dynamic Server
http://entwickler.com/itr/news/psecom,id,41754,nodeid,82.html

Plus…

IBM Database Business Keeps Growing
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Database/IBM-Database-Business-Keeps-Growing/

New IDS demos available

The IDS team had a number of new demos shown at the IIUG Conference this week. The IBM Power hardware team even provided a large bladeserver to show off the new IDS 11.5 continuous availability and clustering features. (What happens when you pull out a blade in the cluster? With IDS it all keeps running business as usual!) Recorded versions (and video!) of these demos will be available soon. Watch the IIUG website for updates!

IDS Business Partners featured on IBM’s external web pages

More and more companies are choosing to partner with IBM to offer IDS to their customers. And now, these IDS partners are featured on IBM’s external web pages! So….. read about how companies such as Bell Micro, One Point Solutions, Ardenta and Kazer are partnering with IBM to deliver leading technological solutions to customers.

Visit the web page:

http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/informix/press/

Get a “clue” about IDS with The IDS Detective Game

IBM customers and employees can now learn more about the uses and benefits of IDS with “The IDS Detective Game” featured on IBM.com. Geared toward small business owners, students, teachers/professors, or anyone wanting to gain an understanding of data management, the game is an innovative way for everyone to sleuth around and learn the technicalities and capabilities of IDS.

Play the game:

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/dm-dw-dm-0804moffatt-i.html

Webcast: Application Development Made Easier with IBM…

Featuring Data Studio and PureQuery

Calling all application developers, architects and database administrators. Take advantage of this opportunity to listen to an application development webcast this Wednesday, April 30, at 2 p.m.

This two-hour event will feature information on how to increase productivity of the development lifecycle, improve JAVA data access and development, simplify the development of new skills and improve compliance of data and applications.

A replay will be available.

For more information:

http://www.ltc-la.org/en/cev/?138

Kazer


HiT Software and Kazer Bring Informix Heterogeneous Data Replication

San Jose, California and Lee’s Summit, Missouri, March 31, 2008 – Kazer, Inc., a Premier IBM Business Partner dedicated to assisting customers design and implement solutions to manage their critical data, and HiT Software, Inc., an established player in the data integration and access (DIA) market, today announced added support for replication of IBM Informix Dynamic Servers within heterogeneous environments.

DBMoto now enables Informix administrators to incrementally and intelligently replicate IDS database transactions to all other major databases. Transactional replication enables maximum concurrency of target databases for accurate application processing or decision support in business intelligence and reporting. DBMoto supports the replication of third party database information to Informix as a target. DBMoto allows for superior data transformation via complete scripting offering intelligent, business logic-based replication. Informix administrators have never had such a powerful, flexible heterogeneous data management tool.

DBMoto also adds support for synchronization of non-transaction log-based database platforms, administration tools and script capabilities. Enhanced replication rules management allows for more efficient administration. Support for remote call of stored procedures and alternate security access enable more sophisticated replication logic. DBMoto supports replication between eighteen different relational databases including all major database platforms.

Dave McDowell, President of Kazer, an IBM Business Partner serving the Informix user community, believes that the DBMoto support for Informix will open new opportunities for Informix-based IT teams. “A number of Informix clients have the need to integrate their data into adjoining processes throughout their enterprise,” said Mr. McDowell. “DBMoto will enable these organizations to easily and cost effectively achieve these goals.”

Giacomo Lorenzin, CEO at HiT Software, explains that the latest release of DBMoto firmly anchors it as a key IT tool for every Informix IT team. “DBMoto’s support for the Informix platform is a significant need for businesses which rely on its high performance in OLTP-based applications,” said Mr. Lorenzin. “Our development teams have worked with IBM and Kazer to ensure that DBMoto offers excellent performance and manageability.” DBMoto can be downloaded immediately for a no-cost 30-day evaluation from http://www.hitsw.com. For pricing, please contact Kazer at (888) 886-7722. Current DBMoto customers with active annual maintenance and support coverage may upgrade at no additional cost.

About HiT Software, Inc.

HiT Software is an established player in the data integration and access (DIA) market. For more than a decade, HiT Software products have been providing access to critical data, enabling data availability and offering programming-free data integration across enterprise systems. HiT Software standards-based products perform real-time, bidirectional replication between all major databases; execute real-time, bi-directional transformations between XML and all major databases; and connect applications to IBM DB2 databases via .NET, OLE DB, ODBC and JDBC standards.

Founded in 1994, HiT Software is relied upon by thousands of organizations around the globe. HiT Software products are sold and supported worldwide by the HiT Software direct sales team, international subsidiaries, and authorized channel partners. Additional information is available at http://www.hitsw.com, by e-mail at info@hitsw.com, or by telephone at +1(408) 345-4001.

About Kazer, Inc.

Kazer is an IBM Business Partner specializing in IBM Data Servers, Informix and DB2. Their professionals bring the business focus, project management experience, and technology expertise required to successfully deliver business-critical technology solutions. These solutions span a breadth of platforms, devices and networks, including integration with legacy systems, development of business applications, and web-based functionality. Kazer is a Missouri Corporation established in January of 1989.

HiT Software®, DBMotoTM, are trademarks or registered trademarks of HiT Software Inc., IBM and Informix are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation. All other company, product or service names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of others.

New Jacques Roy blog up and running

This is going to have to be on your must read blog list.. check out:

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/jacquesroy

Informix training – do it now!

Test yourself with an online Information Management Certification Assessment Exam
Test your readiness on any Information Management professional certification exam from IBM. Prepare to pass on exam day with an online Assessment Exam and quickly identify areas in need of focused study. Offered through Prometric for a nominal fee of $10 USD, take an assessment exam and get ready to take your job knowledge to the next level with an IBM professional certification designation.

Prepare to pass today!

http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/education/cert-assessment.html?ca=mayiiug

Train your team affordably onsite with IBM Training!
IBM Onsite Training can deliver any classroom course in a private format – at your facility or ours! Benefit from customized content, high-quality course materials and equipment, and optional instructor mentoring. Get the same education we offer in our own classrooms for less.

Learn more:

http://www.ibm.com/services/learning/ites.wss/us/en?pageType=page&c=a0000055

Pre-order today! New Enterprise Master Data Management Book from IBM
Learn how to unlock the value of information with the exciting new book, Enterprise Data Management: An SOA Approach to Managing Core Information. Now available for preorder, this book teaches you how to solve common IT challenges such as the complex information landscape, redundancy, and silos of information.

Preorder today for delivery in June!

http://www.ibm.com/software/data/education/bookstore/#3?ca=mayiiug

Get certified at IOD and gain exclusive access to the IBM certification lounge!
Study now and relax in style later at the members’ only Certification Lounge at Information on Demand, October 2008. With three opportunities to become a member of the IBM Information Management certified elite, the time to start studying is now! Benefit from free online tutorials, certification guides, and online assessment exams.

Prepare to pass!

http://www.ibm.com/software/data/education/certprep.html?ca=mayiiug

Chart your course to IBM Professional Certification
Are you planning to earn an IBM Professional Certification this year? If so, check out the Certification Roadmaps to find out where to start with entry level certifications, and how to build on your new designation. Roadmaps also identify prerequisites for certain tests which are essential for planning.

Start planning today!

http://ibm.com/software/data/education/cert-roadmaps.html?ca=mayiiug

Now available: Spring 2008 IBM Training eCatalog
Looking for IT training? Look no further. We’ve made finding IT training simple and fast with our web-based, interactive training catalog. With one or two clicks, you can quickly locate the courses and conferences that interest you. Choose from new or updated courses in Information Management curriculum areas and money-saving offers to make training more affordable.

View the spring catalog online now!

http://ibm.com/training/us/catalog/update

IBM Press Program Manager talks books in a new podcast
Want to get the latest information on IBM Information Management Books? Information Management Books are informative assets that are critical for todays IT professionals. Listen to Susan Visser, IBM Press Program Manager for Information Management, as she updates you on what’s new in Information Management Books for certification, Informix and DB2. Listen now!

http://www.ibm.com/software/data/education?ca=apriliiug

Kate Dawson
Marketing Product Planner Education and Services Planning & Development
IBM Information Management
Read my blog: http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/katedawson

Overview of IDS migration on the Web

Overview of the IDS migration process
/url/migration_process.html

Help improve IDS version migration by taking a short survey
/news/announcements/migration_survey.php

Informix Migration Portal
/url/migration_portal.html

IBM Informix Dynamic Server V11 Trade Up promotion (expires June 30, 2008)
/url/IDS11_tradeup.php


Product announcements Back to top

Informix IDS and solidDB

In January 2008 IBM completed the acquisition of Solid Information Technology, a leading provider of in-memory database technology. This technology will soon be put at work to accelerate data access to performance critical data stored in IDS. This new addition to the IDS portfolio, solidDB Cache for IDS, will provide up to 10 time faster access to subsets of IDS data by caching it in solidDB. Changes to the cached data will be appropriately propagated to IDS maintaining data consistency. Check it out by signing up to the solidDB Cache for IDS Early Adopter Program. This initiative allows you to:

  • Get early exposure to solidDB Cache for IDS and assist IBM in defining the roadmap
  • Get access to lab resources through lab advocates to ensure successful deployment

Prototype your solutions during the Early Adopter Program, and ensure that the upcoming release will work properly in their environment when they are ready for production deployment.

The solidDB Early Adopter Program will run from April 1 through December 31, 2008. Contact Murat Demiroglu Senior Product Manager, IBM solidDB mdemirog@us.ibm.com to inquire about solidDB Cache for IDS and the Early Adopter Program.

Two things to look for in Informix IDS 11.5 (aka Cheetah 2)

The first is a big improvement to R-tree. If you use R-tree (ie live in the geo / spatial datablade world) then read the release notes. IDS 11.5 could give you some dramatic performance improvements.

The second is xml support in the text datablade. Those who “know” say that this new ‘stuff’ is very good and if you handle xml then you are on a “need to know” basis.

There is much else in Cheetah 2 but you are just going to have to read Carlton’s updated book to find out. 🙂


Informix resources Back to top

“New SQL features in IDS v11” on youtube

Informix Blogs and things

Get the real oil on Informix from:

  • The IIUG forums at /forums/technical.php **** these are very good****
  • IDS Experts at http://www-03.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/idsteam
  • Guy Bowerman at http://www-03.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/gbowerman
  • Madisons blog at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/roundrep
  • Fernando Nunes at http://informix-technology.blogspot.com/
  • Bell Micro and the Informix City at http://www.informixcity.com/ Check out their Oracle survey 🙂
  • The Informix mag at http://www.informixmag.com/
  • JGP himself at http://www.jgp.net
  • The Informix Zone at http://www.informix-zone.com
  • Jacques Roy Computing and Informix and stuff at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/jacquesroy
  • Kate Dawson’s (all you need to know to get certified) blog at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/katedawson

Calendar of events Back to top

June – 2008
Date Event Location Contact
3-6 IBM Information on Demand EMEA Conference 2008 The Hague, Netherlands
October – 2008
Date Event Location Contact
26-31 IBM Information on Demand 2008 Las Vegas, Nevada

Board News Back to top

Both June and I have now finished our tour of duty on the IIUG Board. I know that I can speak for June when I say that we thank you all for your fantastic support over the last 4 years. The IIUG community is a fabulous group and you are fantastic people. Thank you and best wishes.

June Hunt and David


Useful links Back to top

In response to your input, we have created a page on the IIUG web site containing all the links we used to include. Please find it at:

/quicklinks.html


Closing and credits Back to top

The International Informix Users Group (IIUG) is an organization designed to enhance communications between its worldwide user community and IBM. IIUG’s membership database now exceeds 25,000 entries and enjoys the support and commitment of IBM’s Data Management division. Key programs include local user groups and special interest groups, which we promote and assist from launch through growth.

Sources: IIUG Board of Directors
IBM’ers
Editors: David Fraser
Stuart Litel

For comments, ideas, information, more ideas, gossip, lies and general dudette type chatter, please send an email to david@iiug.org.

Published
Categorized as Insider

By Vicente Salvador

Board member since 2014, a user since 1989 and Informix fan. I'am software architect which allow me to combine technical and business skills.

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