CenterBoard Debuts Network-Based Data Integration Tool

CenterBoard launched a "virtual operational data store" called CenterBoard Integrator that's designed to provide access to data spread throughout organizations as if it were all in a single database, without copying the data.

The software, which combines networking concepts with database technology, identifies tables and columns in data sources and creates compact, content-based "dynamic bit vector indexes," CenterBoard said. Users can seek data from any application that generates SQL or XML queries; the tool sends queries only to data sources where the information in question actually resides. CenterBoard Integrator can squeeze 220 million pieces of information into something slightly smaller than a megabyte, CenterBoard executives said.

Integrator is designed to operate in tandem with reporting and analytical applications. It ties in with front-end tools through Microsoft's Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC) programming interface, through Java DataBase Connectivity (JDBC), or via an application's own API.

Integrator runs on Intel hardware platforms and supports both Windows and Linux. The application ranges in cost from $50,000 to $500,000, CenterBoard said. Pricing varies by the number and type of data sources being used.