In IBM parlance dynamic warehousing refers to an overarching product strategy to deliver end-to-end, and real-time data warehousing and BI capabilities that incorporate a set of integrated technologies sourced from its DB2 data management products melded with other IBM information management products in its portfolio such as search, content management, text analytics, data modeling, and master data management.
The strategy also attempts to pull together structured and unstructured data analysis in a data warehouse environment, driven by the launch of IBM’s Information On Demand initiative a couple of years ago which attempts to help companies transform their information into strategic business assets.
A central part of dynamic warehousing rests on the new Viper release of DB2 that enables companies to store unstructured data (in XML format) alongside structured relational data. IBM has introduced several enhancements to the mainframe version of Viper for z/OS including SQL enhancements for real-time query and reporting and new graphical analytics and reporting tools for use on System z.
Viper is also included as part of a revamped DB2 Warehouse suite which IBM is now offered in Starter, Intermediate and Advanced Editions. Previously IBM only offered Base and Enterprise Editions.
IBM has also unveiled a new series of Balanced Warehouse appliance products that are an upgrade of its Balanced Configuration Unit that comes as a pre-configured hardware, software and storage appliance system.
The Balanced Warehouses are offered in three separate Editions that scale up from departmental data mart applications up to enterprise-class data warehousing. These editions are branded as C, D, and E classes respectively.
The primary focus of the enter-level C-class appliance is on the small to medium sized business firms dipping their toes into data warehousing and BI. It also delivers pre-integration with DB2 Warehouse Starter Edition, Novel SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and Business Objects SA’s Crystal Reports business reporting server and is targeted at SMBs bundled offering is slated for general release at the end of March.
Business Objects also plans to integrate its recently announced Business Objects Crystal Decisions mid-market reporting software into IBM’s C3000 appliance as well.
The new DB2 Warehouse Starter and Intermediate Editions also ship with the C-class appliance.
IBM said that over 30 channel partners have already signed up to make its simplified mid-market products offerings available to SMBs.
The D-class appliance is positioned as a growth solution that is intended to help companies ramp up their data warehouse deployments without the complexity and cost of a traditional enterprise data warehousing project.
To pull in unstructured data IBM has also combined search, text analytics and visualization capabilities into its latest OmniFind Analytics Edition for Customer Care software that mines customer data for patterns and trends.
IBM has also developed a new heath-plan and insurance analytic data models to give dynamic warehousing customers in these sectors a jump start on their data warehousing and BI deployments. The health-plan model is for claims, medical management and provider and network care. The insurance model focuses on compliance and risk management. Both are supported by new planning and design services from IBM’s Global Business and Technology Services divisions.
