Highlights: Informix 11.5 xC7 developer edition and oat 2.28 available in the IIUG member area
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:
- Editorial
- Highlights
- Education
- Developer corner
- Informix corner
- Informix events
- Informix resources
- Calendar of events
- Useful links
- Closing and credits
| Editorial | Back to top |
At The last IIUG conference in Kansas a new plan for Informix Revitalization was presented by IBM management. It was based on the following four imperatives:
Delight the install base: Enhance the Informix client relationship and improve client loyalty.
Build Strategic Differentiation: Fix the messaging and enhance the overall Informix value proposition to the market.
Create Proactive Sales Culture: Develop a proactive, high-touch culture, with expansion into growth areas (embedded, etc).
Build New, Profitable Revenue Streams: Build new revenue streams that capitalize on the strong and growing footprint of Informix.
The 100 day grace period has passed nearly a month ago and it is about time to check what has been accomplished. I decided to ask my old friend and colleague, Gibi. Gibi has always been an optimist and a fanatic Informix fan. He always encouraged me when I had doubts or bad feelings about Informix. This time when we talked he had a very long face. “What are your feelings about IBM’s plan to revitalize Informix?” I asked. “Let’s look at those imperatives one by one” answered Gibi.
“The Install base is anything but delighted. In the Informix Zone Survey (/url/informix_zone_survey.html) our membership gives a clear answer.
On the question: What is your opinion about IBM’s renewed strategy around Informix?
- 39% said: I don’t trust IBM as they’ve disappointed me too often regarding their Informix strategy.
- 50% said: I’ll remain skeptical until we see some real actions that substantiate the new Informix strategy.
- Only 11% said: I trust IBM and believe that they will “roll out” the new Informix strategy seriously.
Why are we feeling that way? The answer is very clear. IBM is ignoring its loyal install base.
You are the Insider editor, how does it look from your point of view?”
As the Insider editor it is crystal clear. There is no communication with IBM Informix Marketing – not even to promote the IOD conference.
“You see!” cried Gibi, “And it is not just the Insider. Informix in the news does not exist. DB2 is all over the place with benchmarks, press releases, articles in Data Management magazine. DB2 is positioned as the alternative to Oracle. Looking at technical reviews comparing the two products:
‘IBM DB2 Universal DataBase (DB2 UDB) provides rudimentary functionality for both high availability and data protection, and is multiple releases behind Oracle in terms of the breadth and depth of HA functionality.’
It is easy to understand why Larry Ellison is not worried. The differentiation between DB2 and Informix is the difference between everything and zero.
Let’s move to the third imperative. The IBM sales force knows and sells DB2. The internal sales trainings are focused on DB2. Informix is hardly mentioned.”
“I don’t know that,” I told Gibi, “I do not attend internal sales training.” “Well maybe you should.” said Gibi, “In any case this is not a secret. The forth imperative relies on the first three so it has no chance either.” Gibi gave a deep sigh. “What do you think?” he asked.
I did not know what to say.
Do you? If so please respond to this editorial.
Gary Ben-Israel
IIUG Insider Editor
gary@iiug.org
| Highlights | Back to top |
Informix 11.5 xC7 developer edition and oat 2.28 available in the IIUG member area
Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) V11.50 xC7 Developer Edition
Just released July 2010
This version is exclusive to IIUG members for Development purposes only. It may not be sold or used in production systems.
IBM Open Admin Tool for IDS V2.28
Just released July 2010
OpenAdmin Tool for IDS is the new GUI administration tool for IDS 11 and IDS 11.5. A PHP-based Web browser administration tool, the OpenAdmin Tool for IDS provides the ability to administer multiple database server instances from a single location. OpenAdmin Tool makes IDS administration easy by allowing you to drill down on resource usage and events, view query performance statistics, and much more. And since the tool is written in PHP and available as open source, you can customize it with your own business logic and installation requirements.
Visit the Member Area at “http://www.iiug.org.
| Education | Back to top |
Informix Remote DBA/Support Offering
Remote Technical and DBA support from Advanced DataTools helps small, medium and enterprise installations maximize their IBM Informix database performance and uptime while minimizing costs and overhead. We can help resolve and/or prevent the worst technical problems you could imagine!
Advanced DataTools’ staff of highly experienced, certified IBM Informix consultants are well trained in all levels of database performance and optimization. This allows us to offer our customers IBM maintenance and support contracts on most versions of Informix Dynamic Server, on any platform/operating system.
Top experts in the field, Art Kagel and Lester Knutsen, manage and support our team of certified IBM Informix consultants. Art and Lester each have over 28 years of Informix DBA experience and both have received the IIUG Directors Award, and the Inaugural Data Champion award by IBM.
Our Team can help save you time and money by assisting with:
- Emergency/Down Systems
- Trouble Shooting
- Vacation Coverage
- System Maintenance
- Short and/or Long Term Planning
- Upgrades/Migrations
- Passive System Monitoring
- Active System Monitoring
- One time health check
- Disaster Recovery
Support is provided for every feature of IDS including:
- High availability data replication
- Enterprise data replication
- Performance and SQL tuning
- Instance and Operating system tuning
What is available with a standard or extended Informix support agreement?
- Support for all the customer’s Informix database software and operating systems
- Initial performance review and database health check of all Informix servers
- Review of daily, weekly and monthly diagnostics and performance statistics
- 800 number telephone support with four-hour response time to resolve problems
- Three points of contact (telephone, page and email) to our Senior DBA consultants
Informix Training – Online, Onsite or in Our Classroom
Advanced Informix Performance Tuning Course by Lester Knutsen and Art Kagel
Do you want to learn how to be the FASTEST Informix DBA? This is the course our Fastest Informix DBA contest was developed from and will increase your database performance tuning skills.
This four day course focuses on techniques for optimizing an Informix Database. Labs will demonstrate more than 100% performance improvement. Each student will have a 4-core Linux server with IDS 11 and a large dataset for benchmark exercises and labs. Attend the class in person or online via our Web Training Center. Both Art Kagel and Lester Knutsen will be teaching the Advanced Classes together.
This course is for database administrators and application developers who will be responsible for managing, optimizing, and tuning an IDS database server. The focus is on skills, procedures, and scripts to improve the performance of your database server. The course will provide a toolkit of scripts and utilities to start monitoring and optimizing your IDS database server. (Cost $2,000 USD)
Course Schedule:
- September 27-30, 2010
- November 15-18, 2010
Class times are 9am to 5pm. Dress is casual.
See http://www.advancedatatools.com/OurCompany/DirectionsMapsHotels.pdf for directions and hotels near Advanced DataTools.
For more information or to register, visit http://www.advancedatatools.com/Training/InformixTraining.html or call 703-256-0267 x101.
Support
Take advantage of key benefits – ensure you renew your S&S
When you renew your Software Subscription and Support you not only compliment but protect your software investments. To help you stay ahead and innovative, renewing your S&S will ensure that you continue to benefit from:
- the latest product upgrades
- 24/7 standard global technical Support
- minimized downtime
Learn more and remember to renew today!
http://www.ibm.com/software/data/support/subscriptionandsupport?ca=augss
Congratulations to the Support experts featured in our Support Profiles program!
We are happy to announce the launch of our 2010 Support Profiles program. Please take the time to read their stories and discover the value that our Support experts have to offer.
With this program, we can share in the confidence that you have in our products when you engage our WW Support organization. By leveraging our expert skills and knowledge you can gain a deeper understanding of IBM Software, better manage your products, and quickly resolve your critical issues.
Read our profiles at http://www.ibm.com/software/data/support/profiles.html?ca=imsupport
Events
Immerse, engage and collaborate with IBM innovators
Filled with deep technical content surrounding the IBM family of products and related industry trends, the IBM Software Technical Conference 2010 is designed to deliver in depth knowledge and insight to help you succeed. From traditional lectures to hands-on lab sessions, attendees will learn about real world scenarios, case studies, implementation details and best practices from recognized leaders in the field. We’ve also included lectures from key IBM architects on the future direction of the IBM Software Group product portfolio. There are many opportunities to network with other like-minded technical experts at the Conference.
Visit the conference website to learn more: http://www.ibm.com/software/my/stc/
Books
Start your summer reading now! Save 40% off IBM Press books
IBM Press is the official publisher of IBM books for professionals and academia. Now you can save 40% off all IBM Press books and get FREE ground shipping in the US! Select from critical topics facing today’s business and technology students and professionals. IBM Press books are an informative resource for knowledge that’s critical for today’s IT professional and throughout their careers. During checkout simply enter coupon code IBMTRAINING to apply the discount to your order.
Learn more: http://www.ibm.com/services/learning/ites.wss/us/en?pageType=page&c=U418757K42919N63
Save 20% off on Books at the Information On Demand Conference 2010
The Bookstore will be open throughout the event, October 24-28, 2010, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Bayside Foyer, Level 1. The bookstore will stock over 200 titles including topics such as Business Intelligence, Database Management, Database Design, Analytics, Data Mining, XML, Modelling, SOA and more! All titles will be 20% off cover price.
Learn more: http://www.ibm.com/software/data/2010-conference/bookstore.html
Complimentary Certification Testing at the Information On Demand Global Conference
Information Management Professional Certification exams will be available to registered attendees throughout Information On Demand 2010. Attendees may take up to three IM (including SPSS, Cognos and ECM) exams at no charge; a discounted fee of $100 USD for subsequent exams will apply.
Learn more: http://www.ibm.com/software/data/2010-conference/certification-testing.html?ca=augnl
Education
US ONLY
Learn how you can obtain a complimentary netbook just by taking an eligible IBM Training Class!
Now you can receive a complimentary Lenovo S10-3 netbook after completing an eligible Information Management class. Simply enrol between now and October 29, 2010 and complete the class by December 17, 2010. Note this is a U.S. only promotion cannot be combined with other IBM discounts.
Learn more: http://www.ibm.com/training/us/swgnetbook5
Registration is now open for Pre-Conference Education at the Information On Demand Global Conference
Get an early start to building your skills at the Information On Demand Global Conference by attending one of our full day education classes. These classes will be offered on Sunday only, October 24th, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Take advantage of special pricing of US $499.00 and get a full day of education, delivered by professional IBM instructors at a discounted rate.
Learn more: http://www.ibm.com/software/data/2010-conference/pre-classes.html?ca=augnlext
Subscribe to Information Management Training RSS feeds for the latest on our new and updated courses
Now you can have all the training information you need at your fingertips with IBM syndicated feeds. Simply browse the feeds by category, and select those that are of interest to you!
Learn more: http://www.ibm.com/services/learning/ites.wss/us/en?pageType=page&c=a0015787
New Program: Profiling Young Professionals
We have just launched a new program that profiles young professionals from around the world who have made a difference in their companies using IBM Information Management products. We are pleased to introduce you to the first in the series of Young Professional interviews entitled “Nick Geib- Enhancing the Informix database to meet the changing needs of businesses today”.
Read more: https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/blogs/IM_Academic_Faculty/?lang=en
| Developer corner | Back to top |
Generating XML from the Informix server
/url/gen_xml.html
This article describes how to use the extensibility features of IBM Informix to generate XML-formatted data. Sample code is included.
| 10 Aug 2010 |
Accelerate Hibernate and iBATIS applications using pureQuery, Part 1: Using the IBM Integration Module for Hibernate and pureQuery
/url/accelerate.html
When extended with the downloadable IBM Integration Module, the IBM Optim pureQuery Runtime simplifies the process of generating DB2 static SQL for Hibernate and iBATIS applications. It does this without requiring you to make changes to your application code or to gather SQL from production workloads. The Optim pureQuery Runtime also enables Hibernate and iBATIS applications that access DB2 or Informix to benefit from the heterogeneous batching feature in pureQuery. With the heterogeneous batching feature, you can batch multiple INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE requests before sending them across the network, even when the requests reference multiple tables. This article is part one of a two part series. It describes using the IBM Integration Module with Hibernate applications. Part two will focus on iBATIS applications. This article includes a downloadable sample application that illustrates how you can easily enable both these capabilities. The article also provides informal elapsed time performance measurements.
| 12 Aug 2010 |
Embedded Informix: Think Inside the Box
/url/embedded.html
A discussion of the reliability and performance characteristics of Informix that make it an excellent candidate for use as an embedded database server, and a walkthrough of creating an embedded deployment. Informix provides features–such as the Deployment Wizard and Deployment Utility–that simplify the creation of a deployment optimized for an embedded environment.
| 30 Jul 2010 |
IIUG User View: Big News for Informix
/url/user_view.html
Stuart Litel explains how the new editions of Informix relate to each other, reports on the success of the spring 2010 IIUG Informix Conference, and gives a preview of coming events at the IBM Information on Demand 2010 Global Conference.
| 30 Jul 2010 |
Informix DBA: Building Fast Data Warehouse Schemas: Part 2
/url/dms_design.html
Lester Knutsen shows how to design dimension tables in part two of a three-part series on data model and schema design for data warehouses.
| 30 Jul 2010 |
News Bytes: IBM Data Management magazine, Issue 3 2010
/url/news_bytes.html
Get the latest data management news, including the new IBM pureScale Application System, Smart Analytics System, DB2 SQL Skin for Sybase ASE, new Informix Editions, SPSS Decision Management software, InfoSphere BigInsights, and a new look for IDUG.
| 30 Jul 2010 |
For more information go to DeveloperWorks – Informix: /url/devworks.html
| Informix corner | Back to top |
Tell IBM about it! If you are interested in sharing how Informix improves your business, IBM wants to hear from you.
“Success story” information can be used in a number of ways. One option is to produce a case study that gets posted to ibm.com. See examples here:
/url/examples.html
Additionally, it’s valuable to capture a specific quote articulating the business value of Informix. This might come from a case study, or from someone who did not have time to do a case study but wanted to share some Informix impact. A quote can be used in Powerpoint presentations or appear on ibm.com such as here: http://www.ibm.com/software/data/informix/warehouse/
The goal of case studies and quotes is to articulate tangible Informix proof points. For example: “The xxxx capability of Informix allowed us to (save yy dollars, increase performance zz%, etc.) because (we reallocated nn DBAs to new applications, we required nn% less hardware, we avoided nn hours of planned outages with rolling upgrades)”, and so on.
IBM’s client reference team will take the lead on developing the story, in full collaboration with you. Your final review and signature will be required before IBM uses any of the information you share.
If you’re ready to get started, please send an email to: IFMXwins@us.ibm.com
| Informix events | Back to top |
Discover the new face of Informix
The next “Discover Informix Event” will be held on Thursday, September 16 at the Tech Museum in San Jose. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to invite your clients to this exciting event. The session is followed by a complimentary lunch and tour.
| 8:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast | |
| 8:30 AM | Welcome & Introduction
Hassle-Free Data Management with IBM Informix – Steve Shoaf, Worldwide Sales Manager, Informix Why Informix is a better choice from a cost and performance standpoint – Jerry Keesee, Director, Informix Database Development Executive Round Table Q&A Session – Craig Humphreys, Vice President, Technical Services, PreferredPartner |
|
| 11:30 AM | Lunch followed by complimentary Tech Museum tour | |
Register today: /url/tech_museum.html
| Informix resources | Back to top |
- The IIUG forums at /forums/technical.php **** these are very good****
- Andrew Ford’s blog http://www.informix-dba.blogspot.com/ **** New *****
- Blogs, Videos, News and more at http://planetids.com
- IDS Experts at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/idsteam
- Mark Jamison at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/gbowerman
- Madison Pruet at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/roundrep
- Jacques Roy at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/jacquesroy
- Cathy Elliott at https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/blogs/InformixVoices
- Informix blogs at http://www.ibmdatabasemag.com/blog/main/archives/informix/index.html
- Kate Dawson at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/katedawson
- Fernando Nunes at http://informix-technology.blogspot.com/
- Virtual Worlds, MMOGs, Serious data – Informix Technology for Persistent Worlds http://informix4virtual.wordpress.com/
- IBM DATABASE MAGAZINE at http://www.ibmdatabasemag.com
- The Informix Zone at http://www.informix-zone.com
- The Informix mag at http://www.informixmag.com/
- IIUG Developers Desktop /devnews/Vol_1_Iss_4/Home.html
- There is an Informix group on LinkedIn. The group is called “Informix Supporter”, so anyone loving Informix can join, from current IBM employees, former Informix employees, to users. It will also be a good occasion to get in touch with others or long-time-no-seen friends. If you fancy showing the Informix logo on your profile, join. To join, simply go to: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/25049/5E4B2048E558
| Calendar of events | Back to top |
| September – 2010 | |||
| Date | Event | Location | Contact |
| 1-2 | Discover the New Face of Informix Event | Quito, Ecuador | |
| 6-7 | Discover the New Face of Informix Event | Bogota, Columbia | |
| 9-10 | Discover the New Face of Informix Event | Caracas, Venezuela | |
| 13-14 | Discover the New Face of Informix Event | Santiago, Chile | |
| 14 | Southeast Informix User Group Meeting | The Home Depot, Atlanta | Kate Tomchik – kate@iiug.org |
| 16 | Discover the New Face of Informix Event | San Jose, California | |
| 16-17 | Discover the New Face of Informix Event | Buenos Aires, Argentina | |
| 20-21 | Discover the New Face of Informix Event | Lima, Peru | |
| 22-24 | 2010 IDS 11.5 Bootcamp | Warsaw, Poland | bartlomiej.makolus@pl.ibm.com |
| 28-30 | 2010 IDS 11.5 Bootcamp | Frankfurt, Germany | BRYCH@de.ibm.com |
| October – 2010 | |||
| Date | Event | Location | Contact |
| 11-12 | Discover the New Face of Informix Event | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 18-20 | 2010 IDS 11.5 Bootcamp | Istanbul, Turkey | |
| 24-28 | IBM Information on Demand 2010 | Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| November – 2010 | |||
| Date | Event | Location | Contact |
| 9-11 | 2010 IDS 11.5 Bootcamp | Casablanca, Morroco | |
| 23-25 | 2010 IDS 11.5 Bootcamp | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Useful links | Back to top |
| 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. The 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 Corp. |
|
| Editors: | Gary Ben-Israel |
For comments, please send an email to gary@iiug.org.
