IBM Eases Data Analysis

Continuing the trend among database vendors to build more data-analysis capabilities directly into the database, IBM on Monday unveiled software that makes it easier to organize data for analysis using business-intelligence tools from multiple vendors.

DB2 Cube Views automates the process of creating metadata by defining, describing, and indexing information in a database. That metadata, in turn, is used by query, reporting, and analysis tools such those marketed by Cognos Inc. and Business Objects SA.

IT programmers can use DB2 Cube Views to develop a single metadata model that all business-intelligence tools can use, eliminating the need to build and maintain metadata models for business-intelligence tools from different vendors, says Karen Parrish, IBM's VP of worldwide business-intelligence solutions. The software, an add-on option for the DB2 database, will also boost the performance of data access and analysis software, she says.

"It's a very intelligent and very logical move to do more of that data manipulation at the database level," says RedMonk analyst Steve O'Grady. IBM, like rivals Oracle and Microsoft, has built a number of data-analysis capabilities directly into its DB2 database in recent years.

Several leading data-processing and business-intelligence software vendors endorsed the new technology, including Cognos, Business Objects, Hyperion, and Ascential Software. DB2 Cube View will be available on June 27, priced at $7,500 per CPU.