IBM Data Management magazine Issue 2, 2009

management
data

KNOWLEDGE. PERFORMANCE. RESULTS.

EDITOR

Cameron Crotty editor@tdagroup.com

MANAGING EDI TOR

Stephanie S. McLoughlin

ART DIRECTOR

Iva Frank

DESIGNERS

David Chan, Lalaine Gagni, Margie Preston

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Merv Adrian, Eric Ahrendt, Bonnie Baker, David Beulke, Robert Catterall, Howard Fosdick, Scott Hayes, Lester Knutsen, Cliff Leung, Tony Leung, Stuart Litel, Anil Mahadev, Ken North, Roger E. Sanders, Bob Scheier, Ray Willoughby, Kathryn Zeidenstein

EDI TORIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rick Myllenbeck (Chair), Scott M. Bisang, Felicity Carson, Jeff Jones, Kimberly C. Madia, Nancy Miller, Bob Sawyer, Kathryn Zeidenstein

AD SALES EXECUTIVE Randy Byers advertise@tdagroup.com

AD COORDINATOR

Katherine Hartlove

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IBM and the IBM logo are registered trademarks of the International Business Machines Corporation and are used by TDA Group under license.

Material published in IBM Data Management magazine copyright © 2009, International Business Machines. Reproduction of material appearing in IBM Data Management magazine is forbidden without prior written permission from the editor.

VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGY AND PROGRAMS Nicole Sommerfeld

VICE PRESIDENT, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Debra McDonald

VICE PRESIDENT, CONTENT SERVICES Paul Carlstrom

a n L i t fl

Welcome to the premier issue of IBM Data Management magazine! You may already know us as IBM Database Magazine, a dependable resource that began as IBM DB2 Magazine in 1996. But the role of the data management professional is evolving—as it always has—so we’re growing and changing to help you make the most of new opportunities.

Businesses run on data and information. Your organization depends on data owing smoothly, and your colleagues depend on information being accurate. The challenge has always been to efficiently manage that data, but today that means more than just tuning databases or developing applications. It also means creating information architectures and finding new ways to make data work to your organization’s best advantage.

Our goal is to help you meet those challenges. We’re committed to delivering he same in-depth technical content, practical advice, and expert commentary that you’ve come to expect, with a new design that’s more accessible and easier to navigate. Plus, we’ve added coverage on how data is shaping the way the world does business, and how organizations can use their information as an engine to drive business success.

But don’t take my word for it; check out the stories that we’ve gathered for this ssue. We have several angles on the big news this year so far: the announcement of DB2 9. 7 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows. Start with our cover story to explore what’s new and improved, then move on to “SQL Compatibility in DB2 9. 7,” and dig deeper with IBM Data Champion Anil Mahadev for a close look at one of the most talked-about features. Want more? Regular columnist and former IDUG president David Beulke checks in with a personal take on the new version.

David is just one of many familiar faces that longtime readers will recognize:

ester Knutsen, Robert Catterall, and Roger E. Sanders all return with hands-on technical advice and commentary. Next to these well-known favorites, we’ve added a new column, “Data Manager,” that takes a broader business view. This month, DBI Software CEO Scott Hayes joins us to explain what every business needs to know about performance tuning—and how you can reap the benefits.

Read on and discover how XML is transforming the healthcare industry, what’s ew with Informix, and why everyone from DBAs to developers will be excited about the powerful new IBM Optim Query Tuner.

We hope you enjoy our new look and find the magazine more useful, relevant, nd insightful than ever before. We invite you to tell us about how we can continue to improve by sending an e-mail to editor@tdagroup.com. And be sure to check out the magazine’s new online home at ibm.com/dmmagazine.