Skip to main content


developerWorks  >  Information Management  >  IBM Data Management magazine  >

IBM Data Management magazine

Knowledge. Performance. Results.

developerWorks
Current issuePrevious issues
cover image:  IBM Data Management magazine
View the current issue of IBM Data Management magazine
Cover Story: Maintenance Makes Money by Sheryl M. Larsen
Need to trim database management costs? Look closely.
InfoSphere Guardium by Albert Cooley
How this database security and monitoring software works its magic
Industry Focus: Energy and Utilities by Cameron Crotty
A solid data architecture sparks smart grid builders
Think Inside the Box by Mirav Kapadia
Strategies for using Informix as an embedded database


From the editor

We learn and we memorize, but technology keeps advancing. New tools provide better ways to accomplish our goals, and we have to adjust. Take driving a car: If you're of a certain age, you may remember learning to pump your brakes on a slick road to keep the wheels from locking up and sending you into a skid. But in these days of antilock braking systems (ABS), that's exactly what you’re not supposed to do: when you hit an icy patch, the best way to stop is to stand on the brake pedal and let the ABS chip handle the rest.

When it comes to DBMSs... well, you can see where this is headed. I don't want to steal any thunder from Sheryl Larsen's fantastic cover story on how keeping your databases up-to-date can bring serious rewards, so go read it now! Practically every year, the development teams at IBM release new, more efficient, more effective ways to get the results that you are looking for. Do your databases and applications take advantage of those new features? Or are you still pumping the brake pedal on a car that has ABS, and paying the price in reduced performance?

Beyond Sheryl's hands-on advice, we have lots of new developments to explore. Earlier this year, IBM acquired Guardium, an organization that brings an innovative approach to real-time enterprise database monitoring and protection. In this issue, we pull back the curtain on the technical details of the Guardium solution—it's a story that you won't want to miss.

It's also turning out to be a very exciting year for Informix. You may have already heard the buzz, but skip on over to Stuart Litel's column for the full scoop. Need more Informix? Check out the feature story on preparing Informix for embedded deployments and join Lester Knutsen for Part 2 of his series on architecting data warehouses.

There's lots more to see in this issue, so I'll leave you with one last thought: If you haven't started thinking about attending the Information On Demand Global Conference this October in Las Vegas, what are you waiting for? From what I'm hearing as we plan the next issue, it’s going to be worth the trip.

Thanks for reading,
Cameron Crotty
Editor
IBM Data Management

IBM Data Management magazine digital edition


Back to top


 logo

Document options

Document options requiring JavaScript are not displayed


My developerWorks needs you!

Connect to your technical community


Special offers
On demand demos: An easy way to watch and learn
Rational tester eKit for building quality testing apps
Try Cognos 8 Business Intelligence

More offers