IBM Developing Next Release Of Data-Integration Tool

IBM is developing the next release of its WebSphere Information Integrator software, expanding its ability to manage and search both structured and unstructured data and adding tools that help business-technology managers better understand their information assets. The software, known internally as "Serrano," is expected to ship late this year.

WebSphere Information Integrator, recently renamed from DB2 Information Integrator, provides a consolidated view of data scattered across multiple, heterogeneous data sources. IBM debuted the product in June 2003.

Serrano, which is in early tests, will include new tools that make it easier for managers to understand what information assets they own and to discover relationships within that data, says Nelson Mattos, IBM's VP of information integration.

The new release also will offer expanded capabilities for managing unstructured data such as documents and E-mail, which Mattos says is increasingly important for records management tasks associated with regulatory compliance. Companies also will find it easier to develop applications with Serrano to search for both structured and unstructured data.

According to Mattos, IBM has 1,700 customers for its information-integration software.