Informatica Joins Grid Computing Group

Data integration software maker Informatica joined the Enterprise Grid Alliance (EGA), a non-profit consortium of firms pushing the adoption of grid computing.

"Server-grid functionality is integral to Informatica's enterprise data integration solution and will continue to play a prevalent role in our product direction moving forward," said a statement attributed to Informatica chief technology officer and senior vice president James Markarian. "We are looking forward to working closely with other EGA members to ensure interoperability within grid environments and maximize the value of grid computing for our customers."

Grid computing leverages pools of servers and other hardware assets, letting customers use surplus computing power to run distributed or parallel workloads. Informatica's server-grid capabilities in its PowerCenter Advanced Edition are designed to optimize and distribute workflow across multiple networked CPU nodes.

"Large-scale data integration projects require the kind of highly scalable, high-performance infrastructures that grid computing enables," Dr. Donald Deutsch, EGA president and Oracle's vice president for standards strategy and architecture, said in a statement. Informatica's experience in that area will boost the EGA's ability to meet its goals, he added.

Other EGA members include NetApp, EMC, HP, Intel, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, NEC and Fujitsu-Siemens, among others. Informatica rival Ascential, which IBM recently announced plans to acquire, also is a member.