IBM Unveils Portable And Embedded Databases

IBM today introduced new portable and embedded versions of its DB2 Universal database, as well as a new pricing plan for the software. The new versions, which are designed to extend IBM's E-commerce efforts, were showcased at the DB2 International User Group meeting in Orlando, Fla.

The portable system, DB2 UDB Satellite Edition, and the embedded version, DB2 Everywhere, are entering beta testing and will be available later this year, said Janet Perna, IBM's general manager of data management. "We're extending the realm of DB2 UDB to pervasive devices," Perna said. The 8-Mbyte Satellite Edition is for sales personnel and other mobile workers who require occasional connection to central databases. The 50-Kbyte DB2 Everywhere can be embedded within portable devices, such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants, that support the Palm OS and Windows CE operating environments.

Perna also said IBM is switching from a per-user pricing model for DB2 Enterprise and Extended editions to a per-processor model; prices for DB2 Enterprise Edition will begin at $12,500 per processor. IBM also introduced version 6.1 of DB2 UDB for Unix, Windows and OS/2, which features new application development capabilities--such as the ability to build Java stored procedures--increased business intelligence capabilities, access to OLE DB objects, XML support, and support for Linux and Sequent Computer's Dynix system.