IT giant claims client demand for better performance at lower cost accelerates DB2 adoption
IT giant claims client demand for better performance at lower cost accelerates DB2 adoption
A new wave of clients and business partners in industries such as healthcare, energy and financial markets are making the switch from competitive platforms to DB2 database software, according to IBM.
To further accelerate this momentum, IBM recently announced a new 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.
Clients such US-based Pep Boys are already testing the feature to move their industry applications from Sybase ASE to DB2 to help reduce IT costs and achieve overall better performance.
SAP recently acquired Sybase for $5.8 billion (£4 billion).
Making the move from Sybase ASE
Pep Boys, an automotive aftermarket service and retail chain with more than 580 stores located in 35 states and Puerto Rico, recently started consolidating its database systems to help reduce administration costs. As a part of a beta programme, Pep Boys was able to complete a successful proof of concept by moving their special order parts application from Sybase ASE to DB2 in a matter of weeks.
"I'm excited about the possibility of IBM's compatibility features for DB2 to make it easier for Pep Boys to increase efficiencies and more effectively manage inventory across multiple suppliers," said Jim Ofalt, systems manager at The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack. "What we saw in the beta was a seamless move to DB2 requiring no changes to the application. This is really important, as we would not want to disrupt our business by changing application behaviour. In addition, Pep Boys has several applications they are evaluating for a move to DB2 to help eliminate increasing maintenance fees."
Since the release of DB2 9.7, a growing number of clients have moved their applications from Oracle Database to DB2, in some instances, in a matter of days, to gain more efficiencies and reduce costs associated with managing their IT infrastructure. They have benefited from unique DB2 innovations such as pureScale running on IBM Power Systems, that helps clients increase their database transaction capacity while reducing the risk and cost of growing their IT systems.
Migration focus speeds route to analytics
For clients moving applications from Sybase ASE, IBM said a new SQL Skin feature makes DB2 a strong choice for quickly reducing their operational costs so they can invest more on growing their business through strategic initiatives such as analytics. This integrated capability was jointly developed with ANTs Software, a database migration solutions provider. This development began more than two years ago and early adopter clients have participated in a beta programme since late 2009.
"We understand the pressures clients face to increase the overall performance of their organisations streamline their processes while also reducing costs,” said Arvind Krishna, IBM Information Management general manager. "Our continued investment in developing innovative technologies such as the new SQL Skin is a clear demonstration of our commitment to helping clients meet these challenges."
"We are proud of this partnership with IBM," said Joseph Kozak, chairman and chief executive, ANTs Software. "IBM's global reach and support coupled with the unmatched technology and cost advantages delivered by ANTs innovations creates a powerful new offering for global enterprises."
Italy's Faith Industry moves from Oracle
Faith Industry based in Isernia, Italy recently turned to DB2 to support their catalogue of men, women and children’s wear. The e-retailer, featuring designers such as Rero Design, Johnny Faith and Alta Sartoria Molisana, needed a more robust and reliable database platform that could support its web marketing activities to help potential customers find the site and support the increasing amount of content such as text and images to videos, catalogue cards, and news. As part of the project, one of the first significant steps was the company’s migration from Oracle Database to DB2 with the collaboration of business partner OneCube.
"The exceptional performance of IBM DB2, and portability from Oracle Database, has allowed us to execute the migration seamlessly while building on existing IT investments," said Arianna Perna, owner of Faith Industry. "We have also been able to achieve up to 75% reduction of space needed for data moved from the Oracle database. Now we have a system that is optimised for tracking insight on our customers to better understand their buying patterns."
DB2 SQL Skin for Sybase ASE applications is available from 28 May.
