| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 441.1 | Volume 2.4 July/August 96 | EPS::HAGGERTY | SBU ASE, Nashua NH USA | Mon Jan 27 1997 23:23 | 1226 |
| ******************************************************************
* Digital *
* --------------- *
* DATABASE MARKETING UPDATE *
* --------------- *
* DMDG's Newsletter for Sales and Sales Support Covering Digital's *
* Partnerships with Informix, Oracle, Software AG, and Sybase *
* (Formerly known as Database World) *
******************************************************************
JULY/AUGUST '96 DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY VOLUME 2.4
TABLE OF CONTENTS (this newsletter is 20 pages long)
o WHAT'S HOT!
- Sybase Sets TPC-C Record Using ALPHA 8400 5/350
- Fastest UNIX Database Backup Using Oracle7
o INFORMIX NEWS
- More about INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server 7.2
- The Informix/Illustra Partnership Revisited
- Informix and EMC Unveil Terabyte-sized Disaster-Tolerant
Database for Open Systems Environments
- Elite for Windows NT Available on Digital AlphaServer
- BFA Looks to Informix and Digital for Client/Server Solution
- Coca-Cola Producer Chooses Alphas and Informix
- Novo Nordisk Turns to Informix and Digital for Document
Management
- Digital/Informix Sales Guide on CD-ROM
o ORACLE NEWS
- Digital Joins Oracle as Preferred "Platform of Choice"
- Oracle Holds RDB Customer Advisory Council Meeting
- Oracle and Digital Win at Barclays
- Artisjus Relies on 64-bit Alpha/Oracle System to
Administer Royalties
- Oracle and Digital Win at Korea Telecom
- Digital Sponsors Summer Issue of "The Oracle Integrator"
- Oracle CPG VLM64 Demo Kit Available
o SOFTWARE AG NEWS
- OpenVMS/Natural V2.2 Beta Test -- Call for Participation
- ADABAS D Now Available for Windows NT on Alpha Systems
- Alpha Upgrade Program Extended
- Software AG Establishes Direct Presence in Mexico
- Software AG and Digital Win at STG-Coopers & Lybrand
- Buhler AG Chooses Cost-effective Turbolaser Solution
- Second Turbolaser for Biblioteca Nacional
- Digital Supports Software AG at DCI
- Joint Advertising from Digital and Software AG
- Software AG Holds Executive Symposium in Wiesbaden
- Increase Your Sales
o SYBASE NEWS
- Sybase Announces SI Pact with Digital
- New Sales in North America Show Strength of System 11
on Alpha
- Sybase and Digital Blast Competition at Barclays
- Belgacom Mobile SA Chooses Sybase on Digital's Turbolaser
o EVENTS
o RESOURCES
o CONTACTS
WHAT'S HOT!
SYBASE SETS TPC-C RECORD USING ALPHA 8400 5/350
SQL Server 11 achieves highest recorded performance on a UNIX SMP
System
EMERYVILLE, CA, July 8 -- Sybase, Inc. today announced that Sybase(R) SQL
Server 11(TM) has achieved the best TPC-C(TM) benchmark results ever
recorded for a single UNIX(R)-based symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)
system, running on Digital's 64-bit AlphaServer(TM) 8400 5/350 system.
SQL Server 11 attained 14,176.61 transactions per minute (tpmC(TM)) at
a cost of $198.37 per tpmC running the Transaction Processing
Performance Council (TPC-C) benchmark on Digital's 64-bit UNIX
operating system with ten 350-megahertz processors and six gigabytes of
memory. Sybase reached this record benchmark by utilizing the unique
features of SQL Server 11, including the Logical Memory Manager, named
caches, Data Slices, Soft Affinity, 64-bit support, and fully symmetric
networking.
Companies whose applications deploy Sybase SQL Server 11 on Digital's
AlphaServer 8000 platform can realize unequaled scalability,
performance and quality. Sybase customers can use the same operating
system and Sybase's integrated software across the entire enterprise
line of AlphaServer systems.
TPC-C is the industry's foremost OLTP workload benchmark.
FASTEST UNIX DATABASE BACKUP USING ORACLE7
Finally users can backup a terabyte -- overnight!
Oracle(R), Digital(TM), and OpenVision(R) Technologies, Inc. recently
demonstrated breakthrough capabilities in high-performance database
backup and recovery. The technology demonstration, initiated at
Digital's Enterprise Solutions Assurance Center in Salem, NH, performed
hot backups of Oracle's database at unprecedented speeds.
A follow-up test, performed at Digital's Database Technology Center in
Palo Alto, CA, demonstrated backup performance speeds exceeding 100
gigabytes per hour (with 20% CPU utilization).
Backup results were achieved using an Oracle7(TM) 320 gigabyte database
with the Oracle Enterprise Backup Utility, Digital's AlphaServer 8400
Enterprise Server with 64-bit UNIX, and OpenVision Technologies'
AXXiON(TM) NetBackup.
The new database backup capability is a key component of the
Enterprise Solutions Program, a high-end database solution offered
jointly by Oracle and Digital. The solution features Oracle's 64-bit
database and Digital's 8400 Alpha architecture, complemented by the
recently-announced Oracle Parallel Server(TM) and Digital's
TruCluster(TM)/Memory Channel(TM) technology.
Oracle Applications(TM) can immediately take advantage of this
performance gain. Future implementations of the
Oracle/Digital/OpenVision database storage solution will include
support for additional popular enterprise applications.
The solution will soon provide advanced database storage features,
including event driven storage, secure storage servers, and encrypted,
distributed parallel backup and recovery.
As today's leading technology trends continue -- rightsizing, Internet,
electronic commerce, and data warehousing -- there is increasing
pressure for scalable backup and storage solutions. This new capability
positions the Oracle/Digital/OpenVision combination as the most potent
solution available today for very large databases (VLDB) and data
warehouse applications.
***************************************************************
* PLEASE REMEMBER not to use the sales wins described in this *
* newsletter without first contacting the account manager. *
***************************************************************
-------------
INFORMIX NEWS
-------------
MORE ABOUT INFORMIX-ONLINE DYNAMIC SERVER 7.2
Informix releases product with outstanding performance and significant
enhancements
In May, Informix(R) formally announced INFORMIX-OnLine(R) Dynamic
Server(TM) 7.2, based on Dynamic Scalable Architecture (DSA), for SMP
and uniprocessor hardware configurations.
New features in this next-generation parallel database, such as large
memory addressability and parallel load, deliver outstanding
performance and scalability for both OLTP and decision support
environments, recently proven by VARs and in TPC-C results.
Client/server application software developers such as The Baan Company,
PeopleSoft(TM), Inc., and SAP(R) AG have all announced support for
Version 7.2.
In March, Informix's Version 7.2 delivered 13,646 tpmC at a
price/performance level of $277/tpmC, when running the AlphaServer
Model 8400 5/350 (see Database Marketing Update, Vol. 2.2).
"With Informix 7.2 we were able to process over 15 million rows of
customer-level financial transactions in less than 3 hours," said
Jefferson Braswell, president of Risk Management Technologies (RMT),
an Informix VAR and producer of RADAR Risk Manager Software. "Daily
analysis and management of a large bank's entire risk profile, in
cluding Value-at-Risk, Earnings-at-Risk and profitability, is now
possible."
New Features
OnLine Dynamic Server's DSA performs major database activities in
parallel, intelligently optimizing and fully exploiting the processing
power of SMP and uniprocessor hardware architectures. New features
include:
o Continuous Data Replication (CDR) -- Called "update anywhere," CDR
allows organizations to share information across geographically
dispersed locations by providing real-time, peer-to-peer
replication of data.
o Global Language Support (GLS) -- GLS enables Informix customers
worldwide to quickly receive multiple-language versions of
Informix's database software to ensure consistent releases across
the enterprise and to enable rapid customization to local languages.
o Large Memory Addressability (LMA) -- LMA provides 64-bit support,
dramatically enhancing database performance to OLTP and data
warehouse installations. LMA supports tens of gigabytes of physical
memory and hundreds of giga bytes of dynamic memory, providing
order-of-magnitude performance improvements as additional users are
added to systems.(Editorial note: Digital is the only Informix
hardware partner today that supports 64-bit LMA.)
o OnLine Backup and Recovery (On-Bar) -- On-Bar assists customers
with backing up and restoring On Line Dynamic Server databases in
parallel, while their systems are online.
o Parallel Load -- With up to a 50-gigabyte-per-hour load rate, the
parallel load utility loads and unloads data by "reading in" data
from multiple sources and converting and loading the data in
parallel.
o Year 2000 support -- With Year 2000 support, no application changes
are required at the turn of the century to ensure that the data is
correctly applied.
Availability and Pricing
OnLine Dynamic Server is generally available and is priced at $1,500
for a development license and $1,125 for a runtime version, with a
five-user minimum. Current OnLine Dynamic Server 7.x customers can
upgrade to Version 7.2 free of charge. Continuous Data Replication is
priced separately and is available as a controlled-release feature.
Version 7.2 for NT is scheduled to ship in Q3 1996, 60 to 90 days
after initial UNIX availability.
THE INFORMIX/ILLUSTRA PARTNERSHIP REVISITED
With Informix's acquisition of Illustra(TM) earlier this year, Informix
has skillfully positioned itself to meet the market's ever-increasing
need for total information management. The merger between the two
companies will culminate in the INFORMIX Universal Server, a total high
performance, scalable, parallel processing database engine able to
manipulate and manage virtually any type of rich content data.
Unlike traditional databases that deal only with alphanumeric data, the
Universal Server will be able to manage practically any kind of
information, from images to video to sound to Web pages to user-defined
rich data content.
The application possibilities are mind-boggling, and may not be
apparent to many in business today, including Wall Street investors,
who are used to dealing in two-dimensional concepts.
The July 1996 issue of "Individual Investor" highlights these, and
other, application scenarios:
o A scientist clicks on a map to pull up a visual history of carbon
dioxide levels in the skies over Wyoming
o A police officer pulls up mug shots of every suspect with brown
hair and a cleft chin
o A buyer of real estate views online pictures of houses in a
particular neighborhood and then takes a "virtual" tour of them
Combining the best of its parent companies -- the robust, parallel-
processing strengths of Informix's Dynamic Scalable Architecture, and
the flexible object technology provided by Illustra -- the
INFORMIX-Universal Server is scheduled to be available in late 1996.
Be sure to watch for more news from this exciting merger.
INFORMIX AND EMC UNVEIL TERABYTE-SIZED DISASTER-TOLERANT
DATABASE FOR OPEN SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTS
Failover test run on AlphaServer 8400 SMP systems
EMC(TM) Corporation, leading independent supplier of enterprise-wide
intelligent information storage and retrieval technology, and Informix
announced in May the completion of a joint technical project and
product qualification exercise that demonstrates the viability of each
company's technologies in a disaster-tolerant, large-scale OLTP (online
transaction processing) environment.
The companies simulated an environment in which a very large database
can survive disasters that result in the loss of a computer and its
data, by establishing two physically separated database storage
locations. The simulation included the failover of a 1.1 terabyte
(1,100 gigabytes) OLTP database running INFORMIX-OnLine Dynamic Server
7.2 on two fully configured AlphaServer 8400 enterprise SMP systems.
Each AlphaServer used two EMC Symmetrix(R) 3500 Integrated Cached Disk
Array (ICDA) storage systems remotely mirrored through EMC's Symmetrix
Remote Data Facility (SRDF).
58,000 transactions recovered in 8 minutes!
After disabling the primary site with approximately 58,000 transactions
in process, the secondary system (containing the remotely mirrored data
and its own processing power) was brought online within eight minutes.
Traditional recovery procedures would require hours, if not days, for
such a large number of transactions in a very large database to be
brought back online at an alternate remote site.
The purpose of the test was to validate the fast recovery and support
of the INFORMIX-Online Dynamic Server 7.2 64-bit database to the
one-terabyte plus level (single image), and to demonstrate the ability
of EMC's Symmetrix Remote Data Facility to provide high-availability
remotely-mirrored storage in a complete 64-bit computing environment
using a very large memory configuration.
The EMC/Informix solution is aimed at solving problems faced by a
growing number of companies moving to open systems hardware and
software and requiring a business continuance computing environment --
meaning assurances that the system will continue to function under any
circumstances -- without compromising information or performance.
ELITE FOR WINDOWS NT AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL ALPHASERVER
Includes support for INFORMIX-OnLine database
Los Angeles-based Elite Information Systems, the leading provider of
financial and practice-management systems for law firms and other
professional service firms, recently announced summer availability of
its open-architecture Elite system on the Windows NT(TM) Server
platform.
The Elite system will be fully compatible with the newly released
Digital Alpha NT Server and includes support for Informix's OnLine
database.
The Elite product suite has been "open" to multiple hardware platforms
since 1989, and many Elite users have already chosen the Digital Alpha
system as their UNIX server. With the release of the Digital NT Server,
Elite clients can seamlessly transition to the NT environment without
changing hardware or reconfiguring their networks. Users will be able
to take advantage of Microsoft(R) Windows NT on AlphaStation(TM) and
AlphaServer products, as well as on Digital's entire family of
workstation products.
Deliveries of Elite for Windows NT are expected to begin in August.
Visit http://www.elite.bsis.com for more information about Elite
Information Systems.
BFA LOOKS TO INFORMIX AND DIGITAL FOR CLIENT/SERVER SOLUTION
The BFA, the Berlin-based German Federal Social Security Agency,
administers all employee state pensions. With 22,000 employees in
Berlin alone, and 2 to 3,000 employees throughout the rest of Germany,
they are one of the country's largest IT users.
The BFA wanted to replace their existing SNI BS2000 mainframe with a
state of the art client/server architecture, freeing the SNI BS2000 for
use as a data warehouse. They had already decided to use an Informix
database for the client/server environment. Benchmark results, and
Digital's proven partnership with Informix, convinced them to choose
Digital to supply the hardware platform.
The BFA's order of more than 30 large AlphaServers running Digital
UNIX, 1200 PCs, and Project Management and installation services is
worth in the region of $10M!
For more information, contact Tobias Foester @BEO.
COCA-COLA PRODUCER CHOOSES ALPHAS AND INFORMIX
When Coca-Cola(R) International announced their decision to use SAP as
their Enterprise Management Software, Refrescos Guararapes Ltda, a
large Coca-Cola producer in Brazil, chose Price Waterhouse to implement
the SAP solution.
Competing against IBM(R) and HP(R), Digital had only one week to present a
proposal that would support the first phase of the project. Within
three weeks, Digital not only presented a proposal, but won the
agreement and delivered and installed the Alphas!
The proposal, which initially included three Alpha 1000 systems, has
been upgraded to include two Alpha 2100 systems running Digital UNIX,
an Informix database, three Prioris(TM) Servers (with Windows NT), 40
Venturis(TM), and a network that integrates, via satellite, three
factories and important points of sale. The machines are interconnected
with FDDI and have 16 gigabytes in a RAID 5 configuration with 512
megabytes of memory each. The total investment will be $4M within two
years.
For more information, contact Helder Eloy @DJO.
NOVO NORDISK TURNS TO INFORMIX AND DIGITAL FOR DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT
Novo Nordisk, one of twenty top pharmaceutical companies worldwide, is
a major producer of insulin, human growth hormone, and washing powder
enzymes. With applications to the drug regulating authorities taking
eight to twelve years to prepare at an investment of around a half a
billion dollars each, Novo Nordisk wanted a Document Management System
that could help tighten quality control and business processes, and
improve time to market.
When IBM failed to provide a viable proposal, Novo Nordisk turned to
Digital, who, in partnership with Informix, proposed and installed a
Document Management System solution within six months.
The solution consisted of an AlphaServer 6000 running Digital UNIX, and
Alpha workstations running MS Windows(R). The AlphaServer will use an
Informix database to handle all the relevant submission documents,
while client workstations will run the relevant applications.
Digital supplied consultancy services valued at $5M and expects to
supply further services, such as onsite system development and user
support, of $1M in 1996. Informix assisted in the initial installation
and has provided system support and maintenance.
For more information, contact Kjeld Wessel Wetlesen @DMO.
DIGITAL/INFORMIX SALES GUIDE ON CD-ROM
Increase your productivity
To make it easy to understand the benefits of the Digital/Informix
partnership, Digital has consolidated, on one CD-ROM, all the tools
you need to sell a Digital/Informix-based solution.
The Digital/Informix Sales Guide on CD-ROM contains literature about
the Digital and Informix products, executive videos with key messages,
customer presentations, white papers, press releases, partner
solutions, and joint successes.
This sales aid will be available in late July. Order part number
EC-N6904-53 from LOS. Contact Joe Dylewski @PAG for additional
information, or to discuss the contents.
-----------
ORACLE NEWS
-----------
DIGITAL JOINS ORACLE AS PREFERRED "PLATFORM OF CHOICE"
Signs partnership with Design Data Systems
Design Data Systems Corp., specializing in Client/Server Business
Applications for the Oracle database, inked an agreement with Digital
in May granting Design Data reseller status of Digital's latest
AlphaServer family for DDS Client/Server products. Digital joins Oracle
Corp. as Design Data's preferred "platform of choice."
Similar to Oracle's wide variety of database offerings, from Personal
Oracle7(TM) to Oracle's Universal Server, Digital offers DDS clients a
scaleable server solution from the low-end Alpha 400 series to the
high-end 300MHz, 12-processor AlphaServer 8400. Digital UNIX,
OpenVMS(TM), and Windows NT are the most popular operating systems,
with the demand for NT increasing exponentially. The multiple operating
system option is appealing to many buyers who do not want to commit to
a single system, such as UNIX, or who may want to switch from UNIX to
NT down the road.
Design Data's commitment to recommend and resell Digital's Alpha line
comes after several industry benchmarks have proven that the Alpha line
is substantially faster than other platforms. DDS recommends the
AlphaServer 1000, 2000, or 2100 to run its Oracle-based Financial
Applications, based on user load and network configuration.
"We're seeing a vast improvement in performance for our Oracle-based
applications on the Alpha series of servers," said Peter Falina,
account manager for Design Data. "Tasked with upgrading our existing
client base to our Windows release, one out of three clients is asking
about Digital's Alpha and NT benchmarks."
Major industry analysts agree. Gartner Group predicts that the Windows
NT and BackOffice(R) markets will reach $25 billion by 1999, and IDC
estimates that NT Server shipments will double on NetWare(R) within the
next three years.
Visit Design Data's web site at http://www.designdatasys.com.
ORACLE HOLDS RDB CUSTOMER ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
Oracle recently held a two-day Rdb Customer Advisory Council Meeting in
St. Louis with such council members as Bankers Trust, DIRECTV(R),
Corning, Tyson(R) Foods, Pfizer, Boeing(R) Defense & Space, Monsanto,
Eastman Kodak(R), MCI(R), NASA, Pacificare(R), Navistar, DOW(R) Chemical, New
York Mercantile Exchange, and the United States Air Force.
The event was kicked-off by Joe Meeks, Oracle's new director of product
marketing and management for the Rdb(TM) Products Division. Joe
reported that Rdb revenues are exceeding revenues of the past three
years and that Rdb currently has an eight percent market share.
Ninety-five percent of the Rdb customer base is using OpenVMS.
Digital's Wes Melling, vice president of the OpenVMS systems group,
gave a talk on "Software Products and OpenVMS," summarizing the future
of OpenVMS and Affinity.
ORACLE AND DIGITAL WIN AT BARCLAYS
Digital has sold an AlphaServer 8400 system to the corporate finance
department of investment banking firm Barclays de Zoete Wedd (BZW). The
Alpha will run the Oracle Financials application. The deal, won at the
11th hour against SEQUENT(TM) and incumbent IBM, is the first to this
department of Barclays and, like the Turbolaser(TM) sale to BZW (see
article in the Sybase News section), was the result of a benchmark
test.
For more information, contact Tony Mortimer @HHL or Adrian Williams
@HHL.
ARTISJUS RELIES ON 64-BIT ALPHA/ORACLE SYSTEM TO ADMINISTER ROYALTIES
What do pop star Michael Jackson, stage producer Andrew Lloyd Webber,
and Oscar-winning film director Istvan Szabo have in common? They all
receive royalties from Artisjus, the Hungarian Copyright Office.
Artisjus collects and distributes royalties on behalf of domestic and
foreign holders of intellectual property licenses. Sales of such
properties are growing phenomenally in Hungary.
A 64-bit AlphaServer 8400 computer from Digital Hungary enables
Artisjus to manage soaring transaction volumes without adding staff.
The data center comprises the AlphaServer 8400, an AlphaServer 1000 for
application development, and a VAX(TM) 6000 computer.
Artisjus runs its entire infrastructure on the AlphaServer 8400 and
Oracle Rdb system. The platform supports a suite of applications that
track daily purchases of registered properties, calculate royalties,
record collections, and pay rights holders via electronic funds
transfer.
The system allows staff to access ever-larger databases, quickly
execute complex transactions, and pay royalties on the same day of
transaction to protect rights holders from currency fluctuations.
As its transaction volume continues to climb, Artisjus plans to enhance
its Alpha/Oracle platform with VLM64 capability. This option will
enable it to fully exploit the power of 64-bit computing to store
virtually unlimited volumes of information in main memory.
Contact Gabor Kisfaludi @BPS for information. A customer testimonial is
available.
ORACLE AND DIGITAL WIN AT KOREA TELECOM
Korea Telecom (KT), provider of high-quality telecommunications
services to the people of Korea, has chosen Digital and Oracle to
develop state-of-the-art telecommunications technology and services.
With applications requiring files of four gigabytes and larger, KT made
their decision after benchmarks proved the price/performance advantages
of Digital's 64-bit TruCluster technology and Oracle's VLM and OPS
capabilities.
KT's business solution includes 12 AlphaServer 8400 systems, six
AlphaServer 8200 systems, Digital UNIX, StorageWorks(TM), Clustering,
VLDB/VLM64 Oracle database, and Digital Consulting services.
For more information, contact Pil-Seog Kim @DEK.
DIGITAL SPONSORS SUMMER ISSUE OF "THE ORACLE INTEGRATOR"
Digital is sponsoring the July/August issue of The Oracle Integrator,
Oracle's bimonthly journal focusing on Oracle technology and business
application partners (BAP).
Included in the summer issue is a Digital/Oracle partnership
perspective by Jim O'Gara, vice president of the Database Market
Development Group, as well as product updates and success stories.
The Oracle Integrator is distributed to over 22,000 leaders and
influences in distributed client/server systems.
For more information, contact Mary Anne LaHaise @MRO.
ORACLE CPG VLM64 DEMO KIT AVAILABLE
The Consumer Package Goods (CPG) VLM64 Demo Kit is now available. The
kit contains ten diskettes representing two live demo presentations
that showcase the power of Digital's VLM64 technology and 64-bit
Oracle7.
The demos were created using a tool called Lotus(R) ScreenCam(TM), which
generates a "movie" of the live demonstrations for playback on any
multimedia PC (a PC with sound board and speakers).
The demos query an Oracle database running on a 64-bit Digital
AlphaServer 8400 and illustrate the performance benefits and business
value of three breakthrough technologies for data warehousing:
o Oracle's Star Query optimization featured in version 7.3 coupled
with 64-bit Oracle7
o Digital's VLM64 technology showcasing the AlphaServer 8400 and
64-bit Digital UNIX
o Decision support tools from SAS(R) Institute
Order the Demo Kit through the literature order system (LOS), or from
Moore Business Forms at 800-356-6696. The part number is EE-E6882-53.
----------------
SOFTWARE AG NEWS
----------------
*******************************************************************
* Correction: The previous issue of Database Marketing Update *
* incorrectly stated that the Japanese version of ADABAS D is *
* available now. In fact, the current version of ADABAS D (V6.1) *
* supports Japanese screens and help. The full Japanese version *
* (supporting the storing of Japanese data) will be available *
* with the release of ADABAS D V6.2, due out this summer. *
*******************************************************************
OPEN VMS/NATURAL V2.2 BETA TEST CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
If your customer is interested in being a Beta test site for
Open VMS/Natural(TM) V2.2, please contact Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO.
ADABAS D NOW AVAILABLE FOR WINDOWS NT ON ALPHA SYSTEMS
(Editorial Note: The following announcement augments information that
appeared in the May/June issue of Database Marketing News.)
June 5, 1996 -- Software AG today announced the availability of its
database management system ADABAS(TM) D for Windows NT on Digital's
64-bit Alpha Systems.
ADABAS D is Software AG's relational database management system (RDBMS)
for the open systems market and the record holder of SAP's SD-benchmark
on Digital Alpha under Digital UNIX (see Database Marketing Update,
Vol. 2.2). The newly released ADABAS D V6.1 for Windows NT/Alpha is
identical in functionality to the ADABAS D UNIX version.
The combination of ADABAS D for Windows NT on Digital Alpha delivers
cost effective, distributed RDBMS technologies at a departmental and
divisional level and is open to be integrated with today's other major
RDBMS systems into enterprise-wide solutions.
ADABAS D is fully ANSI SQL92 entry-level compliant, and has been
designed for effective, highly-automated database administration,
offering features such as dynamic reorganization without the need for
administrator intervention. Software AG's open systems RDBMS is based
on ease of use, ease of administration, reduced overall cost of
ownership, industry leading price-performance, and high availability.
ALPHA UPGRADE PROGRAM EXTENDED
A number of customers were unable to take advantage of our special
U.S.-only Q4 Alpha upgrade package because of the limited time frame.
Therefore, we are extending the program to September 15. The trade-in
period for your customer's VAX is four months. The rest of the offer
remains the same:
o Free phone support from Software AG
o Demo translation of your customer's applications by Formal Systems
o Free cost of ownership study by AVNET
For more information, see Database Marketing Update, Vol. 2.3 or
contact Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO. Order the upgrade by calling 800-
843-9543, extension 918.
SOFTWARE AG ESTABLISHES DIRECT PRESENCE IN MEXICO
Software AG has announced the opening of a new branch office in Mexico
City in order to better support the market through direct operations in
Mexico. The new office will be headed by Sylvan E. Stephani, general
manager reporting directly to James H. Daly, vice president of
international operations.
Software AG has been active in the Mexican market since 1978, and has a
well established presence with Fortune 100 customers representing the
financial, telecommunication, petroleum, transportation, manufacturing,
government, education, and military sectors.
In addition to Mexico, Software AG has been marketing in Latin America
for 23 years, opening its first affiliate offices in Brazil and
Argentina. Today, the company has a presence in Argentina, Brazil,
Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay,
and Venezuela.
SOFTWARE AG AND DIGITAL WIN AT STG-COOPERS & LYBRAND
With offices in all major Swiss cities, STG-Coopers & Lybrand, part of
the Coopers & Lybrand International Consulting group, regularly
receives an annual revenue exceeding $190M.
An IBM mainframed R/2 solution, which STG used for accounting, had
become inefficient and costly. They installed an HP system as a test
R/3(TM), then invited HP, IBM, and Digital to provide a test system and
a production system for the R/3 application, and also to demonstrate
and train R/3 in the consulting department.
After stiff competition from IBM and the incumbent HP test system,
Digital delivered and installed a total solution that combined SAP and
Software AG applications with 64-bit Alpha platforms. STG Coopers &
Lybrand is now running SAP R/3 on ADABAS-D and Digital UNIX. The
production system is a centralized AlphaServer 2100 4/275, with 512
megabytes of memory and 30 gigabytes of shadowed disks, and the test
system is an AlphaServer 2100 4/275, without shadowing.
STG choose Digital to do their complete R/3 implementation -- replacing
the HP system -- because the solution fully satisfied their need for
superior technology, scalability, and integration possibilities.
For more information, contact Matthias Loertscher @ZUO.
BUHLER AG CHOOSES COST-EFFECTIVE TURBOLASER SOLUTION
Natural database part of the package
Swiss-based Buhler AG is the largest milling machinery manufacturer in
the world industry, with a significant proportion of its machinery
exported to businesses in the Far East and third worlds. The company
is a very large IBM customer.
Buhler AG's mechanical engineering production division required a new
system that could improve the efficiency and speed of their engineering
departments without sacrificing quality. The existing IBM solution was
not keeping up with the demands of the company.
Extremely price sensitive, Buhler AG choose Digital's Turbolaser
solution, which matched two AlphaServer 8400 5/300 systems running
OpenVMS and Software AG's Natural database with Buhler's own
applications. The solution met Buhler AG's demands for speed,
efficiency, quality, and cost over strong competition from IBM.
For more information, contact Kurt Sauter @ZUO.
SECOND TURBOLASER FOR BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL
Biblioteca Nacional, the National Library of Spain, has just ordered
their second Turbolaser, bringing their installation to two Alpha 8400
systems with four CPUs each. They are running ADABAS C, a flexible
database supporting more than 200 users doing high transaction
processing. A 200 gigabyte information disk is online now.
For more information, contact Isidro Cano @SQO.
DIGITAL SUPPORTS SOFTWARE AG AT DCI
The DCI Data Warehousing Show is the largest series of data
warehousing shows in the country and is held quarterly. The most recent
event was held in June in Santa Clara. Digital was the only platform
vendor in the Software AG booth and gave away a HiNote(TM) in a raffle
of booth registrants. Peter O'Grady, Enterprise Initiative ISS for the
West Coast, demonstrated the power of ADABAS D on Alpha as the ideal
platform for Software AG's complete data warehousing solution.
The next show will be held in New York on August 13-14.
JOINT ADVERTISING FROM DIGITAL AND SOFTWARE AG
This summer be sure to watch for Digital's joint advertising campaign
with Software AG. Ads will run through October in Computerworld,
Information Week, Datamation, and CIO Magazine. The ads will emphasize
ADABAS D performance on Digital's Turbolaser.
SOFTWARE AG HOLDS EXECUTIVE SYMPOSIUM IN WIESBADEN
In June, Software AG hosted an international Executive Symposium in
Wiesbaden. The event was attended by Software AG management and
customers from around the world.
Digital had notable presence at the event. A video of Bob Palmer
highlighted the global partnership between Software AG and Digital,
and the quality of Software AG products.
"Today's customers are pursuing real-time computing applications that
require instant access to massive databases. Many such applications
must handle thousands of simultaneous requests from thousands of
concurrent users," Bob said. "Strategic alliances..." like that forged
between Digital and Software AG "...offer customers the best-in-class
technology options for their business requirements."
Digital also supplied an Alpha-based Internet Server that could be
accessed by the 500 people in attendance.
INCREASE YOUR SALES
New sales tools available
A number of new tools are available to help your selling efforts,
including:
Digital/Software AG Videotape -- A videotape entitled "Breaking the
Performance Barrier, Digital VLM64 and Software AG," features Harry
Copperman, vice president and general manager, SBU, focusing on the
Software AG partnership, and Dave MacSwain, Software AG's senior VP
of technology focusing on ADABAS D and VLM64. The tape is particularly
effective in situations where we are competing with other platforms
that run Software AG products, or for prospects considering a
Turbolaser.
Order NTSC or PAL versions of the tape through VTX IR, part number
V1569V.
Digital/Software AG Customer Presentation -- A joint customer presen-
tation, entitled "Mainframe Enhancement," is an excellent vehicle for
convincing your customers to start planning to use a Turbolaser to
augment their mainframes running ADABAS.
Contact Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO or Kurt Roedszus @FRS to arrange a
presentation for your customer.
Turbolaser Demos -- A number of demos utilizing the Turbolaser are
underway in Software AG's Rightsizing Center in Reston, VA; two
include connection to their mainframe to demo interoperability. A
Turbolaser is available in Reston and another at Software AG
headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.
Contact Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO (Reston) or Kurt Roedszus @FRS
(Darmstadt) for more information.
-----------
SYBASE NEWS
-----------
SYBASE ANNOUNCES SI PACT WITH DIGITAL
Sybase has announced the formation of a systems integration alliance
with Digital that gives Digital the authorization to specify, provide,
and support Sybase's System 11(TM) product line to customers running
64-bit Alpha VLM series hardware.
Under the new relationship, Digital will sell and integrate Sybase
database, connectivity, and systems management products separately or
along with Digital hardware and networking products.
Digital will also provide systems integration expertise and full
value-added services to end-users.
Contact Dick Anderson at MSBCS::ANDERSON for more information.
NEW SALES IN NORTH AMERICA SHOW STRENGTH OF SYSTEM 11 ON ALPHA
Eight major sales closed this quarter, showing the competitive
strength of Sybase's System 11 running on Alpha. Following are
highlights of the sales.
Global Transportation Network (GTN)
GTN has responsibility for a new data warehouse application that will
track all U.S. Military transportation. The system is in early
production now, with completion three to four years out, when the data
warehouse will control a multiple-terabyte database. GTN purchased six
8400s with four processors each, 20 2100s, and 200 RZ28/29 disks.
The State of Florida Department of Labor
Florida's Department of Labor is developing a job inquiry system that
will connect 1200 PC clients to a 250-gigabyte DB2 database. They
selected System 11 and Alpha, purchasing $6M worth of hardware, MCS
services, and System Integration. Multiple 8400s are planned for FY97.
Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI)
TCI, the nation's largest cable company, selected Sybase and Alpha for
a one-terabyte marketing data warehouse that will track customer
preference at the individual level. TCI's CEO called this the most
important IT investment in the company. TCI closed on a $3M order that
includes one 8400, one 8200, and four 2100s, with FY97 plans for an
additional 8400 and several 4100s.
Fidelity
Fidelity proceeded with plans to become a Windows NT shop and closed on
a System 11/Alpha NT purchase before the product began shipping!
(Shipment of System 11 running on Alpha NT is scheduled for the fall.)
Fidelity will use the product in their production environment; they are
developing on Alpha UNIX now to get the earliest possible start. (This
is a popular model -- several other major accounts are planning
Sybase/Alpha NT solutions, either mixed with Alpha UNIX or starting
with Alpha UNIX.)
In addition, large sales were closed with Reuters(R) Information
Technology (five 8400s running Alpha OpenVMS), Foxmire Drug, Johns
Hopkins and Ameritech(R). Though these will not be in production until
later this year, customers are willing to act as references. Contact
Dick Anderson at MSBCS::ANDERSON for details.
SYBASE AND DIGITAL BLAST COMPETITION AT BARCLAYS
Benchmark results convince banking firm to drop HP for Turbolasers
Investment banking firm Barclays de Zoete Wedd (BZW) has purchased six
Turbolasers to monitor its exposure to risky "complex options" in the
debt capital markets business and derivatives divisions. The deal,
worth $2M (1.3 million pounds), includes two AlphaServer 8400 systems
and four AlphaServer 8200 machines.
United Kingdom banks trading in complex options now are required by
the Bank of England to have powerful computer systems capable of
assessing how much risk they are running. According to Tony Mortimer,
Digital's global account manager for Barclays, "It's a task made for
the Turbolaser, but Barclays was a Hewlett-Packard(R) shop through and
through."
The bank wanted to get the most from its 32-bit Sybase application.
Mortimer convinced BZW to fly to the benchmarking center in Salem,
N.H. and run tests on the Turbolaser.
The results were spectacular, with the tests running between two and 10
times faster than on the HP machine. The raw performance figures (and
the price advantage) were conclusive. "We put in the systems on a
90-day trial/buy basis," said Mortimer, "but BZW were so impressed that
they paid before the 90 days were up."
The system quickly flags risky exposure, thus allowing more aggressive
positions to be taken, which in turn can lead to greater profit. And it
satisfies the Bank of England's requirements.
For more information, contact Tony Mortimer @HHL or Adrian Williams
@HHL.)
BELGACOM MOBILE SA CHOOSES SYBASE ON DIGITAL'S TURBOLASER
Belgacom Mobile SA, a subsidiary of Belgium's largest
telecommunications company (Belgacom) and provider of worldwide mobile
communications, was looking for a platform to support their new
Customer Care and Billing System. Having already decided on a Sybase
RDBMS, they needed hardware to run the application, with a guarantee of
performance, upgradeability, and service.
Digital won the bid with partnership from Sybase. Fighting off strong
competition from HP, Cray(R), and SGI(R) that included benchmarking, the
companies delivered a complete Turbolaser and StorageWorks solution --
a networked cluster of two AlphaServer 8400s, each with two CPUs and
two gigabytes of memory, and over 250 gigabytes of data on the Sybase
database.
Belgacom Mobile relies today on an IT platform that delivers what its
competitors have future plans for -- 64-bit computing technology from
platform to database. Digital offered the best combination of available
and proven 64-bit technology, together with a highly available,
flexible, and upgradable solution. The installation is valued at
$1,500,000.
For more information, contact Christian Janfils @BRO.
------
EVENTS
------
DCI DATA WAREHOUSING SHOWS
Digital again will be the only platform vendor in SAG's booth at the
two upcoming DCI shows. Get your prospect there!
New York August 13-14
Phoenix September 17-18
DATABASE/CLIENT-SERVER CHINA 96 CONFERENCE
Digital will be participating in a panel discussion at this annual
client-server forum held from July 15 to July 17 at the China World
Hotel. The conference will feature keynote sessions, application case
studies, technology briefings, and product updates. Over 200 IT
experts are expected to attend. For more information, contact Paul Su
at CALDEC::PAULSU.
---------
RESOURCES
---------
LITERATURE AND SALES TOOLS
Digital/Informix Videotape
Order directly from Video Express at 617-449-1537 (soon to be
available through the IR).
Digital/Informix Sales Guide on CD-ROM
Literature, executive videos, customer presentations, and other sales
material consolidated on one CD-ROM. Available in late July. Order
part number EC-N6904-53 from LOS.
Oracle Training for the Field
Free Oracle Training for Digital field employees. Call 800-633-0575
for a catalog (part number C10218).
Consumer Package Goods VLM64 Demo Kit
Ten diskettes of two live demo presentations of Digital's VLM64
technology and 64-bit Oracle7. Order from LOS (part number
EE-E6882-53) or from Moore Business Forms at 800-356-6696.
The Oracle Integrator (July/August)
Oracle's technology and BAP information journal. Digital is sponsoring
the July/August issue. For more information, contact Mary Anne LaHaise
@MRO.
Digital/Software AG Upgrade Program (U.S. only)
Alpha upgrade program extended through September 15. Contact Chuck
Eichenlaub @PTO for more information or call 800-843-9534, extension
918 to order.
ADABAS D Sales Kit
Presentations, overviews, and other sales aids. Contact Sabine
Linkenbach @FRS or Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO.
Digital/Software AG Videotape
"Breaking the Performance Barrier, Digital VLM64 and Software AG."
Available through VTX IR (part number V1569V).
Digital/Software AG Customer Presentation
"Mainframe Enhancement." Schedule through Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO or
Kurt Roedszus @FRS.
Software AG Turbolaser Demos
Contact Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO or Kurt Roedszus @FRS.
Digital/Sybase Literature Kit
AlphaServer and Sybase literature. Order from LOS (part number
EE-E6892-53) or from Moore Business Forms at 800-356-6696.
Data Warehousing Video
Order from LOS or from Moore Business Forms at 800-356-6696.
EC-V6883-53 NTSC (U.S., VHS)
EC-V6884-53 SECAM
EC-V6885-53 PAL
VLM64+6 Literature Kit
Fulfillment for advertising scheduled to run in national publications
beginning Q1. Includes technology summary, press releases, and
reprints relating to Digital's AlphaServer, VLM, and six
database-focused partners. Order from LOS (part number EE-E6826-53) or
from Moore Business Forms at 800-356-6696.
DMDG Database Sales References
A list of approximately 100 sales references, updated weekly. For
internal use only. Copy the list from:
CALDEC::DMDG$PUBLIC:REF.XLS
WEB LOCATIONS
Informix
http://www.informix.com
http://www.illustra.com
Oracle
http://www.oracle.com
Software AG
http://www.softwareag.com
http://www.sagus.com
Sybase
http://www.sybase.com
--------
CONTACTS
--------
DMDG MARKETING
Sandy Day, Installed Base Initiative
DTN: 297-3853 @MRO
Steve Downes, Marketing Programs Manager
DTN: 297-2441 MROA::DOWNES
Mary Anne La Haise, Marketing Communications Manager
DTN: 297-3398 MROA::LAHAISE
Fran Murar, Marketing Manager
DTN: 297-5616 MROA::MURAR
DMDG OPERATIONS
Judie Beatrice, Business Practices Manager
DTN: 297-3135, @MRO
Pat Bernard, Operations and Planning Manager
DTN: 381-1648 ZEKE::BERNARD
Andy Schneider, Channels Development Manager
DTN: 381-1696 ZEKE::ASCHNEIDER
Chuck Stata, Hardware Management Manager
DTN: 381-1695 ZEKE::STATA
TECHNICAL
Paul Krneta, Technical Director
DTN: 543-3553 CALDEC::KRNETA
Henry McCathern, Technical Consultant
DTN: 543-3534 CALDEC::MCCATHERN
INFORMIX
Cameron Crowe, Global Business Manager
DTN: 543-3530 @PAG
Joe Dylewski, Americas Account Manager
DTN: 543-3548 @PAG
Rhodri Jenkins, Europe Account Manager
DTN: 830-6670 @BSO
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
[65] 290-7188 ZPOVC::IQBAL
Paul Su, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
DTN: 543-3491 CALDEC::PAULSU
ORACLE
Jack Duffy, Americas Account Manager
DTN: 543-3452 @PAG
Linda Eunson, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
65-290-4964 @ZPO
Walter Heil, Oracle Sales
DTN: 543-3552 CALDEC::HEIL
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
DTN: 699-7177 @TKO
Philip Louis, Europe Account Manager
DTN: 830-4560 @REO
Steve Wittenberg, Global Business Manager
DTN: 543-3533 @PAG
SOFTWARE AG
Chuck Eichenlaub, Americas Account Manager
412-733-0159 @PTO
Werner Feld, Global Business Manager
DTN: 861-3662 @FRS
Dianne Lau, Asia Account Manager
DTN: 675-7701 @ZPO
Kurt Roedszus, Technical Consultant
DTN: 861-3809 @FRS
Paul Su, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
DTN: 543-3491 CALDEC::PAULSU
Tetsuo Ueda, Japan Account Manager
DTN: 699-7177 @OSO
Axel Wiegand, Germany Account Manager
DTN: 861-3328 @FRS
SYBASE
Dick Anderson, Americas Business Manager
DTN: 297-6160 MSBCS::ANDERSON
Jim Bolton, Global Business Manager
DTN: 543-3649 @PAG
Colin Hutchins, European Account Manager,
DTN: 847-5978 @HHL
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager,
[65] 290-7188 ZPOVC::IQBAL
Paul Su, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
DTN: 543-3491 CALDEC::PAULSU
COMMENTS?
Please let us know what you think about Database Marketing Update.
Send your comments, ideas, scoops, and suggestions to:
Christine Macfarlane, Editor
VMSMKT::MACFARLANE
and
Mary Anne LaHaise, Executive Editor
@MRO or MROA::LAHAISE
Digital believes the information in this publication is accurate as of
its publication date; such information is subject to change without
notice. Digital is not responsible for any inadvertent errors.
Digital conducts its business in a manner that conserves the
environment.
Trademarks: AlphaServer, AlphaStation, Digital, DEC, HiNote, OpenVMS,
Prioris, StorageWorks, TruCluster, Turbolaser, VAX, Venturis, and the
Digital logo are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital
UNIX is an X/Open UNIX 95 branded product.
INFORMIX and INFORMIX-Online are registered trademarks and Dynamic
Scalable Architecture, Dynamic Server, and Illustra are trademarks of
Informix Software, Inc. Oracle and Oracle Universal Server are
registered trademarks, and CODASYL, Oracle7, Oracle Rdb, Oracle
Applications, Personal Oracle7, Rdb7, and Oracle Parallel Server are
trademarks of Oracle Corporation. ADABAS is a trademark of Software
AG. Natural is a trademark of Software AG of North America, Inc.
Sybase and System 11 are registered trademarks and SQL Server is a
trademark of Sybase, Inc. Windows and Windows NT are trademarks and
Microsoft, MS-DOS, and BackOffice are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. AXXiON is a trademark and OpenVision is a
registered trademark of OpenVision Technologies, Inc. Hewlett-Packard
and HP are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company. IBM is a
registered trademark of International Business Machines. Memory
Channel is a trademark of Encore Computer Corporation. R/3 is a
trademark and SAP is a registered trademark of SAP AG. tpmC and TPC-C
are trademarks of the Transaction Processing Performance Council.
Lotus is a registered trademark and ScreenCam is a trademark of Lotus
Development Corp. MCI is a registered trademark of MCI Communications
Corp. Pacificare is a registered trademark of Pacificare Health
Systems, Inc. DOW is a registered trademark of the DOW Chemical
Company. SEQUENT is a trademark of Sequent Computer Systems, Inc. SAS
is a registered trademark of SAS Institute, Inc. PeopleSoft is a
trademark of PeopleSoft, Inc. EMC is a trademark and Symmetrix is a
registered trademark of EMC Corporation. Coca-Cola is a registered
trademark of the Coca-Cola Company. NetWare is a registered trademark
of Novell, Inc. DIRECTV is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc.
Tyson is a registered trademark of Tyson Foods, Inc. Boeing is a
registered trademark of The Boeing Company. Kodak is a registered
trademark of Eastman Kodak Company. Cray is a registered trademark of
Cray Research, Inc. SGI is a registered trademark of Chemical Bank.
Reuters is a registered trademark of Reuters Ltd. Ameritech is a
registered trademark of Ameritech, Inc. UNIX is a registered
trademark in the US and other countries, licensed exclusively through
X/Open Company Ltd.
Database Marketing Update
|
| 441.2 | Volume 2.5 Sept/Oct 96 | EPS::HAGGERTY | SBU ASE, Nashua NH USA | Mon Jan 27 1997 23:25 | 970 |
| ******************************************************************
* Digital *
* --------------- *
* DATABASE MARKETING UPDATE *
* --------------- *
* DMDG's Newsletter for Sales and Sales Support Covering Digital's *
* Partnerships with Informix, Oracle, Software AG, and Sybase *
* (Formerly known as Database World) *
******************************************************************
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER '96 DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY VOLUME 2.5
TABLE OF CONTENTS (this newsletter is 16 pages long)
o WHAT'S HOT!
- Major Database Partners at Fall U.S. DECUS
- Look For "DMU Query" Column
- Data Warehouse Information Moving to the Web
- Joint Advertising from Digital and Our Partners
o INFORMIX NEWS
- Exciting Win at Circuit City
o ORACLE NEWS
- OpenWorld '96 Gala Event Set for November 3-8
- Digital Named Oracle's Asia/Pacific "Partner of the Year"
- Oracle Runs Best on AlphaServers
- Digital/Oracle7 Take the Lead in TPC-D Performance
- Building a 1-Terabyte Data Warehouse
- Ken-Air Leisure Group Travels Far with Oracle and Digital
- OAUG Fall Conference Slated for October 16-19
- GIS Asia/Pacific Conference/Exhibition
o SOFTWARE AG NEWS
- Focus on the Enterprise Information Utility
- New Affinity CD Loaded with Software AG Information
- Software AG Releases Global Player Internet Package
- Study Shows ADABAS D Offers Most Value for the Price
- IDA Ireland Chooses ESPERANT
- Software AG Chooses Alphas to Run SAP R/3 Business
- SourcePoint Beta Test Sites Needed
- Daiwa Seiko Chooses Alpha Platform with SAP R/3 and ADABAS D
- Software AG to Participate at Fall '96 European DECUS
- Helping You Sell
- Check out Software AG's New Web Pages
o SYBASE NEWS
- SQL Server 11 and AlphaServer 1000A Take Lead in Uniprocessor
TPC-C Performance
o DMU QUERY
- What Do TPC Throughput and Price/Performance Numbers Mean?
- How Do I Use TPC Results?
o EVENTS
o RESOURCES
o CONTACTS
-----------
WHAT'S HOT!
-----------
MAJOR DATABASE PARTNERS AT FALL U.S. DECUS
All four of Digital's major database partners have accepted invitations
to participate in information management sessions at Fall '96 U.S.
DECUS(TM). Each partner has submitted session topics that fit within a
Digital-defined stream of presentations, and plan to send one or more
speakers to the symposium.
Some of the sessions scheduled include: from Informix(R), "The Future of
Relational OLAP"; from Oracle(R), "Using Oracle Rdb(TM) and DBMS V7.0
VLM"; from Software AG, "How do SAG Technologies Enable C/S
Environments?"; and from Sybase(R), "High Performance Web Sites with SQL
Server(TM)."
Fall U.S. DECUS will be held in Anaheim from November 9-14. For more
information about partner participation and schedules, contact Steve
Downes, DTN: 297-2441, MROA::DOWNES.
LOOK FOR "DMU QUERY" COLUMN
New in this issue
Our new column, DMU Query, finds answers to your questions about
database markets and technology. Send your questions to either:
Christine Macfarlane
VMSMKT::MACFARLANE
or
Mary Anne LaHaise
@MRO or MROA::LAHAISE
and watch for the answers in future issues.
DATA WAREHOUSE INFORMATION MOVING TO THE WEB
The information that currently resides on the Data Warehouse infobase
($VTX DW) is being converted to an internal and partner Web site.
Development is ongoing, with completion of the conversion planned for
mid-October.
To view the Data Warehouse home page, visit:
http://sbu.mro.dec.com/hq/esi/dataware.htm (internal)
http://www.partner.digital.com/sbu/esi/ (partner site)
JOINT ADVERTISING FROM DIGITAL AND OUR PARTNERS
In the coming months, watch for strong advertising from Digital in
conjunction with our partners in Computerworld, Information Week,
Datamation, and CIO. Digital will be running ads with Software AG,
Informix, and Sybase on a rotating basis in each of these magazines.
Use the ads to demonstrate to your customer our mutual joint technology
partnerships.
***************************************************************
* PLEASE REMEMBER not to use the sales wins described in this *
* newsletter without first contacting the account manager. *
***************************************************************
-------------
INFORMIX NEWS
-------------
EXCITING WIN AT CIRCUIT CITY
Circuit City, a $7 billion consumer electronics retailer with over 400
stores, recently purchased an AlphaServer(TM) 8400 running UNIX(R) and
Informix for decision support. The company plans to use the system to
analyze customer buying patterns.
For more information, contact Paul Nimitz @RDO.
-----------
ORACLE NEWS
-----------
OPENWORLD '96 GALA EVENT SET FOR NOVEMBER 3-8
Oracle OpenWorld 1996, slated for November 3-8 at the Moscone
Convention Center in San Francisco, is Oracle's premier event for the
information technology industry. This year the event, which is expected
to draw 8,500 worldwide attendees -- and 12,000 to the exhibits --
will be held in conjunction with the Oracle Developer Conference and
International Oracle User Week. The theme for the week, "Know No
Limits," will be the foundation for the 300-company exhibit hall,
demos, breakout sessions, the learning center, and campgrounds.
Digital a "Platinum Sponsor"
Highlighting the significance of the Digital(TM)/Oracle partnership,
Digital will be one of four "Platinum Sponsors" (others are Apple(R),
HP(R), and Sun(R)). Tuesday, November 5 will be "Digital Day at Oracle
OpenWorld," with Bob Palmer presenting the keynote speech at the
morning's general session. Focusing on the explosion of corporate
databases and their increasing importance, Bob will discuss VLM64
(64-bit very large memory) technology available today from Digital and
Oracle and how companies are using this technology to enable new
applications in areas ranging from data warehousing to the Internet.
Chairman and CEO Larry Ellison, along with leading industry experts
from Oracle's other sponsoring partners, will be additional featured
keynote speakers throughout the week.
Digital's Breakout Sessions
Digital's breakout sessions will feature senior-level experts speaking
on topics such as:
o Proven Performance Leadership with Alpha and 64-bit Technology
o OpenVMS -- With an Affinity Towards the 21st Century
o Alpha NT and Integrating the Enterprise
o Digital and Oracle Applications -- Industry-leading Enterprise
Computing Solutions
o Scalable Data Warehousing Solutions from the Leaders: Digital and
Oracle
Digital's exhibit will take place in a 1,500 square foot booth with
demos designed to augment the five breakout sessions.
Be sure to bring your customers to OpenWorld '96. Registration forms
and conference information are available though Oracle's automated
fax-back information line at 408-972-4214. Information is also
available at the following Web site:
http://www.oracle.com/openworld
To receive free exhibit-only passes or complimentary copies of Oracle
OpenWorld magazines, contact Steve Downes, DTN: 297-2441,
MROA::DOWNES, or Mary Anne LaHaise, DTN: 297-3398, MROA::LAHAISE.
DIGITAL NAMED ORACLE'S ASIA/PACIFIC "PARTNER OF THE YEAR"
Almost 700 software partners attended Oracle's annual Asia/Pacific
(A/P) Business Alliance Conference, held in July in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia. Attending from around the world, the partners sought
information about the Asia/Pacific market and available distributors
and resellers.
In his opening speech, executive vice president Ray Lane emphasized
Oracle's intention to focus on Windows NT(TM) and Oracle
Applications(TM), and to work with customers to help them select the
best hardware platform for their application.
Digital was selected as Asia/Pacific "Partner of the Year," in spite
of the fact that HP is Oracle's #1 platform vendor in terms of revenue.
In addition, Digital Malaysia and Digital Taiwan received country
"Partner of the Year" awards. No other hardware vendor received awards
from Oracle.
Digital was well represented at the conference, with speakers
participating in several of the breakout sessions. Digital also
supplied all the hardware for running the event -- four desktop PCs
and 10 Notebooks, along with an AlphaServer 4100 for running demos.
Two HiNote(TM) VP Pentium Notebooks were given away in a drawing.
ORACLE RUNS BEST ON ALPHASERVERS
Record-breaking SAP R/3 performance on Windows NT
August 26, 1996 -- Digital's new AlphaServer 4100 5/400 system running
Oracle7 has achieved record-breaking performance for the SAP(R) R/3(TM)
Sales and Distribution (SD) benchmark in a Microsoft(R) Windows NT
environment.
The benchmark environment included a four-processor AlphaServer 4100
5/400 system, 4 gigabytes of main memory, 66 gigabytes of total disk
space, Windows NT 3.51, Oracle7(TM) Enterprise Server V7.2.2, and R/3
Rel. 3.0D.
The benchmark achieved throughput of 49,300 dialog steps per hour,
with an average dialog response time of 1.68 seconds. A total of 160
SD benchmark users was measured, with throughput equal to 822 SAPS.
The average CPU utilization was 99 percent.
What are SAPS?
SAPS stands for the SAP Application Benchmark Performance Standard.
100 SAPS are defined as 2,000 fully business processed order line
items per hour in the Standard SD benchmark. This is equivalent to
6,000 dialog steps and 2,000 postings per hour, or 2,400 SAP
transactions per hour.
The AlphaServer 4100 SAP benchmark was conducted at Digital's SAP
Technology Center in Viernheim, Germany and has been audited and
certified by SAP.
DIGITAL/ORACLE7 TAKE THE LEAD IN TPC-D PERFORMANCE
Digital's AlphaServer 8400 5/440 running Oracle7 has established a new
TPC-D performance record, ousting SUN who previously held the lead.
The Alpha system delivers a record-breaking 40% better TPC-D power,
26% better TPC-D throughput, and price/performance less than half the
SUN numbers.
The TPC Benchmark D (TPC-D) is a decision support benchmark that
consists of a suite of business-oriented queries and concurrent updates
using a large database. The benchmark evaluates performance by
executing sets of queries against a standard database under controlled
conditions. The TPC-D queries
o Give answers to real-world business questions;
o Are far more complex than most OLTP transactions;
o Include a rich breadth of operators and selectivity constraints;
o Generate intensive activity on the part of the database server
component of the system under test;
o Are executed against a database complying to specific population
and scaling requirements;
o Are implemented with constraints derived from staying closely
synchronized with an on-line production database.
TPC-D results are presented as two performance metrics and one
price/performance metric:
o The Power metric (QppD) measures the ability of the system to give
a single user the best possible response time by harnessing all
available resources.
o The Throughput metric (QthD) measures the ability of the system to
support a multi-user workload in a balanced way.
o The Price/Performance metric is the ratio of the total system price
divided by composite "query per hour" rating (QphD) @ Database Size.
***********************************************************************
* *
* TPC-D Benchmark Results *
* (100GB Database) *
* *
* Power Throughput Price/Perf. *
* (QppD) (QthD) (price/QphD) *
* -------------------------------------- *
* *
* AlphaServer 8400 5/440 864.3 445.4 $ 2,170 *
* 12 CPU with Oracle 7 and *
* Digital UNIX *
* *
* Sun Ultra(TM) Enterprise 625.6 351.9 $ 4,500 *
* 6000; 24 CPU with Oracle 7 *
* and Solaris(R) *
* *
* Tandem(R) NonStop Himalaya(R) 392.0 214.0 $12,303 *
* K20000-16; 16 CPU with *
* NonStop SQL and NonStop *
* Kernel D42 *
* *
* HP 9000 EPS30 243.2 121.5 $13,233 *
* 12 CPU with Oracle 7 *
* and HP-UX(R) *
* *
***********************************************************************
All published comparisons must include all metrics. The Transaction
Processing Council (TPC) discourages comparison of TPC-D results
measured against databases of different sizes.
For more information about the TPC-D benchmark, see the TPC home page
at http://www.tpc.org.
The AlphaServer 8400 5/440 TPC-D Executive Summary can be found at:
PERFOM::csgperf$:[csgperf.tpcd]
8400_5440_12cpu_tpcd_oracle_exec_summ.ps
BUILDING A 1-TERABYTE DATA WAREHOUSE?
New guide can help
If your customers need information about implementing large data
warehouses, Digital's Enterprise Solutions Assurance Center has just
the help they need. The Center's new guide, "Digital VLM64 Suite for
Oracle Data Warehousing" tells how to build a one-terabyte data
warehouse capitalizing on VLM64 technology from Oracle and Digital.
The 25 products required, including Oracle 7.3, have all been tested
together as a complete, reproducible solution. Having this framework
streamlines the process for delivering a customer solution, lowers
support costs, and enables SI firms to build on top of it.
To get a copy of this new document, contact Mary Anne LaHaise, DTN:
297-3398 @MRO.
KEN-AIR LEISURE GROUP TRAVELS FAR WITH ORACLE AND DIGITAL
Ken-Air Leisure Group Pte Ltd., a home-grown giant in the leisure
industry in Singapore, has purchased an Oracle/Digital solution for
their new Global Travel Network (GTN), a Web-based travel services
reservation system.
The solution consists of a pair of AlphaServer 2100s configured in one
of the first UNIX TruCluster(TM) systems installed in Asia, along with
the Oracle Database, OPS, and Oracle WebServer(TM).
For more information, contact Linda Eunson @ZPO.
OAUG FALL CONFERENCE SLATED FOR OCTOBER 16-19
This fall, encourage your customers to attend the Oracle
Applications(TM) Users Group Conference, scheduled from October 16-19
in San Diego. Users Group members will gather at the San Diego
Convention Center to share knowledge about implementing, integrating,
using, and customizing Oracle Applications.
Presentations and panel discussions will include introductory user
implementation sessions, advanced tips for technical staff and
experienced users, and Encore(R) presentations from the Spring '96
Conference. An Exhibit Hall and vendor presentations will showcase
products complementing Oracle Applications, while a hands-on Demo Room
will feature Release 10, including SmartClient.
For more information about the Fall Conference, including costs and
registration, contact:
Melanie Woiwode
415-506-3470 (phone)
415-506-7223 (fax)
[email protected]
The OAUG is an independent association of users governed by a Board of
Directors representing 16 user and consulting companies. Membership
information is available by calling 404-240-0897.
GIS ASIA/PACIFIC CONFERENCE/EXHIBITION
The GIS Asia/Pacific Conference and Exhibition, held this year from
September 18-20 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will provide the setting for
Digital and Oracle to demonstrate shared technologies.
Digital will have a major exhibition presence at the conference. Oracle
will participate in Digital's booth by demonstrating ESRI's Spatial
Data Engine on an AlphaServer 4100. For more information, contact
Linda Eunson @ZPO.
----------------
SOFTWARE AG NEWS
----------------
FOCUS ON THE ENTERPRISE INFORMATION UTILITY
In 1995 and 1996, Software AG underwent a number of restructuring
measures that positioned the company to capitalize on and expand its
core technology, and to focus on its vision for the future, the
Enterprise Information Utility.
Software AG defines the Enterprise Information Utility as the seamless
and transparent merging of the mainframe, client-server, and Internet
worlds into a single-image, enterprise-wide information network
The company is now concentrating on three global lines of business,
each responsible for its own product and business development:
o Enterprise Systems Software, which builds on core products, such as
ADABAS(R) and NATURAL(R), to market system software for business-critical
applications.
o Data Warehouse, which applies the ENTIRE(R) middleware toward
producing information systems for rapid decision support.
o Application Warehouse, which provides tools to connect existing
computer environments and to develop and store application
components. The ENTIRE middleware plays a key role by integrating
legacy applications, databases, and the Internet.
In addition, Software AG announced several key changes in membership
at the Board level in 1996 to strengthen and support this strategy.
NEW AFFINITY CD LOADED WITH SOFTWARE AG INFORMATION
Three thousand Software Houses and 2,000 customers worldwide have
received Digital's new Affinity tool kit on CD-ROM. The kit provides
development and marketing tools for the major Affinity Partners.
Software AG is well represented on the CD with a dedicated "adabas"
directory. The directory contains documentation, help files, HTML
files, PowerPoint(R) presentations, video, and the Personal Edition of
ADABAS D for Windows 95(R) or Windows NT.
To order the Affinity CD, send email to the following address:
[email protected]
To obtain a free copy of the Personal Edition of ADABAS D, visit
Software AG's home page at:
http://www.softwareag.com
SOFTWARE AG RELEASES GLOBAL PLAYER INTERNET PACKAGE
Joint marketing program between Software AG, Digital, and Microsoft
In August, Software AG released the Global Player Internet Package, a
bundling of products from Software AG, Digital, and Microsoft that
provides comprehensive tools for configuring an Internet Web Server or
an Intranet Server.
Included in the Global Player Internet Package are ADABAS D and WebDB
from Software AG, Digital's AlphaServer 400 4/233 hardware, and
Internet-Software from Microsoft, including Windows NT, Internet
Information Server, and Frontpage.
Developed as a joint marketing program by the three companies, the
Global Player Internet Package currently is available only in Germany,
where it will be sold by SAG Systemhaus GmbH, Software AG's
German-based sales organization. The organization is using the
Internet Package to develop and display their own Web site at
www.sag.de.
For more information about the Global Player Internet Package, or for
details about establishing the program outside of Germany, contact
Axel Wiegand, DTN: 861-3328 @FRS.
STUDY SHOWS ADABAS D OFFERS MOST VALUE FOR THE PRICE
Licensing fees for relational database management systems (RDBMS)
represent only a small part of database expenditures today. Equally
important in the buy decision are costs for consulting, training,
development, administration, and support.
Jenz & Partner, a German consulting firm based in Erlensee, compared
the total cost of ownership of several leading database vendors,
including IBM(R)'s DB2(R)/6000. The analysts studied total costs projected
over a 10-year period of use -- licenses, support, training,
consulting, administration (120 DM/hour), and development (100 DM/hour)
-- based on two typical configurations:
Type A: RDBMS within NT-net, 50 users, 2GB data volume, external
application development
Type B: RDBMS within UNIX-net, 250 users, 10GB data volume, internal
development
In a Type B environment, at a total cost of DM 7,4M ($5.0M), Jenz &
Partner found that ADABAS D offers users the best value for the price,
reflecting not only low licensing costs, but reduced expenditures for
system support and service.
For more information, contact Werner Feld, DTN: 861-3662 @FRS.
IDA IRELAND CHOOSES ESPERANT
Corporate database uses OpenVMS/VAX server
Ireland's Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has national
responsibility for securing new investments from overseas companies
and for encouraging existing ones to expand their business in Ireland.
Headquartered in Dublin, IDA Ireland has a staff of 270 people and
fifteen offices overseas.
IDA Ireland needed a database query and reporting tool that was
flexible and easy-to-use, even for non-database specialists.
"We choose ESPERANT because of its user-friendliness and because local
support was guaranteed by Software AG Ireland," explained Deirdre
McDonough, Software Development Manager for IDA. IDA's analysts will
use ESPERANT to search information from an Ingres corporate database
hosted on a Digital OpenVMS/VAX server and to generate reports about
possible investors to Ireland.
ESPERANT allows users to write queries across tables in two different
databases without needing to know anything about the databases
involved. Because ESPERANT is based on an expert system that enables
complex database queries to be generated by mouse clicking or by using
natural language, knowledge of SQL is not required.
ESPERANT is part of Software AG's Data Warehousing toolset. For more
information, contact Werner Feld @FRS.
SOFTWARE AG CHOOSES ALPHAS TO RUN SAP R/3 BUSINESS
Software AG has chosen Digital's AlphaServers to run its own SAP R/3
implementation, company-wide. The company is using one AlphaServer as
a database server (2 CPUs, 512MB memory), and another as an application
server and test system (4 CPUs, 1GB memory), with 60 gigabytes hard
disk capacity total. The configuration will use DECsafe(TM) for high
availability.
The company plans to go "live" on January 1, 1997 with the SAP modules
FI, CO, AM, SD, and HR.
SOURCEPOINT BETA TEST SITES NEEDED
If your customer is interested in being a beta test site for Software
AG's SourcePoint on Digital UNIX, contact Kurt Roedszus @FRS.
DAIWA SEIKO CHOOSES ALPHA PLATFORM WITH SAP R/3 AND ADABAS D
Daiwa Seiko, Inc., a Japanese-based producer of sporting goods,
realized early in the decision process that they wanted to use SAP R/3
for their business, but remained undecided about a hardware platform.
Despite IBM's every effort to keep its customer, Daiwa settled on an
Al- phaServer platform with the ADABAS D database. High level sales
activities and the joint cooperation of the local competence center
were directly responsible for this win.
For more information, contact Shunichi Murakoshi @TKO or Tetsuo Ueda
@OSO.
(Information about the SAP R/3 SD world record benchmark is available
on the ADABAS D Sales Kit, available through VTX IR, KEYTERM "SOFTWARE
AG".)
SOFTWARE AG TO PARTICIPATE AT FALL '96 EUROPEAN DECUS
Invite your customers to join Software AG in their own booth at this
year's fall European DECUS. Software AG will be demonstrating their
product portfolio on Digital's AlphaServer, and will have support and
marketing personnel on hand to speak with customers.
Fall '96 European DECUS will be held from October 8-10 in Barcelona,
Spain. For more information, contact Werner Feld, DTN: 861-3662 @FRS
or Volker Wagner, 49-6151-92-3183, [email protected].
HELPING YOU SELL
New "Mainframe Enhancement" presentation
Be sure your mainframe ADABAS customer sees "Mainframe Enhancement," a
new presentation, developed jointly by Software AG and Digital, that
shows how to gracefully migrate an application from a mainframe,
develop a data warehouse or Datamart on a coexistent Alpha, or
Web-enable an existing mainframe application.
To order a copy of the presentation, or to arrange for a member of the
Mainframe Solutions group to present it, contact Dick Phillips @ ALF,
770-343-2510.
The presentation will soon be available through VTX IR. The PowerPoint
version can be accessed at:
alfs03::disk$user3:[mfdpub]jtpresv6.ppt
Latin America road show
A joint road show is planned for November in Caracas, Mexico City, and
San Paulo. Software AG and Digital will present the Software AG
product iXpress on Alpha. iXpress enables Web access to mainframe
data. Seminar sessions will be held in conjunction with Software AG
major announcement seminars. Digital will be the only platform vendor
participating.
For more information, contact Carol Heller @LAC.
CHECK OUT SOFTWARE AG'S NEW WEB PAGES
Software AG has recently enhanced their Internet portfolio to include a
number of new Web pages. You can always find the latest information,
whether a description of the SAP R/3 world record benchmark or
details about ADABAS D, by checking these pages. Use the
country-specific pages to find information in your native language.
Global Home Page: http://www.softwareag.com
Product Information:
ADABAS D: http://www.softwareag.com/adabasd
Country-Specific Information:
Germany: http://www.sag.de
Portugal: http://www.software-ag.pt
Spain: http://www.sag.es
Switzerland: http://www.softwareag.com/schweiz/ch-home.htm
UK: http://www.saguk.co.uk
US: http://www.sagus.com
-----------
SYBASE NEWS
-----------
SQL SERVER 11 AND ALPHASERVER 1000A TAKE LEAD IN UNIPROCESSOR
TPC-C PERFORMANCE
August, 1996 -- Sybase SQL Server(TM) 11.0 running on Digital's new
300 MHz AlphaServer 1000A 5/300 system with Digital UNIX and BEA
Tuxedo(R) System/T V4.2, recently achieved the industry lead for
single-processor TPC-C performance.
The system attained audited TPC-C benchmark results of 1,691
transactions per minute (tpmC(TM)) at a cost of $158/tpmC, offering
better price/performance than the competing Compaq(R) ProLiant(TM) 1500
5/166 and Sun UltraServer(TM) 1 Model 170 uniprocessor systems.
---------
DMU QUERY
---------
(A column featuring answers to readers' questions about database
markets and technology. Please send all questions to the editors.
The following answers were taken from the Transaction Processing
Council (TPC) home page. For more information about TPC benchmarks and
the official TPC results list, visit http://www.tpc.org.)
Q: What do TPC throughput and price/performance numbers mean?
A: TPC throughput is a measure of maximum sustained system performance.
Specifically, TPC-C throughput is defined as the number of New-Order
transactions per minute that a system generates while executing four
other transaction types: Payment, Order-Status, Delivery, and
Stock-Level. All five TPC-C transactions have a user response time
requirement; the response time for a New-Order transaction, for
example, is set at 5 seconds. So, as an example, TPC-C throughput of
710 tpmC means that a system is generating 710 New-Order transactions
per minute while fulfilling the rest of the TPC-C transaction mix
workload.
In general, TPC benchmarks are system-wide benchmarks. That is, they
encompass almost all cost dimensions of an entire system environment,
including terminals, communications equipment, software (transaction
monitors and database software), computer system or host, backup
storage, and three-year maintenance. Therefore, if the total system
cost is $859,100 and the TPC throughput is $1,562 tpmC, the
price/performance is the price of the entire system ($859,100) divided
by the performance (1,562 tpmC), or $550 per tpmC.
Generally, the best TPC results combine high throughput with low
price/performance.
Q. How do I use TPC results?
A. Use TPC benchmark results as a yardstick for comparing systems,
rather than a precise tool for capacity planning for a given customer
application environment. Compare the TPC benchmark model (user
interaction, database design, database size, transaction complexity,
processing requirements, storage/backup tests) to the customer's
application environment. If there is a rough match, the benchmark is
probably a useful and relevant tool for comparing different systems.
Once your customer has decided on a general range of performance and
price/performance and the relative importance of each factor, you can
evaluate the merits of systems whose benchmark results fall within
this range.
Be aware that each TPC benchmark is substantially different from any
other (TPC-C from TPC-D, for example); you cannot compare the results
of different benchmarks. Also, do not accept "estimated" or
"extrapolated" TPC results, because they are not recognized by the TPC.
------
EVENTS
------
DCI DATA WAREHOUSING SHOWS
The DCI show in New York yielded over 350 leads. The upcoming show
will occur in Phoenix and, as before, Digital will be the only platform
vendor in SAG's booth.
September 17-18 Phoenix
GIS ASIA/PACIFIC CONFERENCE/EXHIBITION
September 18-20, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For information, contact
Linda Eunson, 65-290-4964 @ZPO.
FALL '96 EUROPEAN DECUS
October 8-10, Barcelona, Spain. For information, contact Werner Feld,
DTN: 861-3662 @FRS.
ORACLE APPLICATIONS USERS GROUP FALL CONFERENCE
October 16-19, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA. For
information, contact:
Melanie Woiwode
415-506-3470 (phone)
415-506-7223 (fax)
[email protected]
ORACLE OPENWORLD 1996
November 3-8, Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, CA. For
registration forms and conference information, use Oracle's automated
fax-back information line at 408-972-4214. Also see:
http://www.oracle.com/openworld
FALL '96 U.S. DECUS
November 9-14, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA. For information,
contact Steve Downes, DTN: 297-2441, MROA::DOWNES.
SOFTWARE AG/DIGITAL LATIN AMERICA ROAD SHOW
November in Caracas, Mexico City, and San Paulo. Software AG and
Digital will demonstrate iXpress on Alpha. For information, contact
Carol Heller @LAC.
---------
RESOURCES
---------
LITERATURE AND SALES TOOLS
Affinity CD
Order by sending email to: [email protected]
Personal Edition of ADABAS D
Order via Software AG's home page: http://www.softwareag.com
ADABAS D Sales Kit
Presentations, overviews, and other sales aids. Available through
VTX IR (keyword "SOFTWARE AG")
Digital VLM64 Suite for Oracle Data Warehousing
Order from Mary Anne LaHaise, DTN: 297-3398 @MROA
Mainframe Enhancement Presentation
Order from Dick Phillips, 770-343-2510 @ALF. Soon to be available
through VTX IR. Access the Powerpoint version from:
alfs03::disk$user3:[mfdpub]jtpresv6.ppt
AlphaServer 8400 5/440 TPC-D Executive Summary
Available at: PERFOM::csgperf$:[csgperf.tpcd]
8400_5440_12cpu_tpcd_oracle_exec_summ.ps
WEB LOCATIONS
Informix
http://www.informix.com
http://www.illustra.com
Oracle
http://www.oracle.com
Software AG
http://www.softwareag.com
Germany: http://www.sag.de
Portugal: http://www.software-ag.pt
Spain: http://www.sag.es
Switzerland: http://www.softwareag.com/schweiz/ch-home.htm
UK: http://www.saguk.co.uk
US: http://www.sagus.com
Sybase
http://www.sybase.com
Data Warehouse Home Page
http://sbu.mro.dec.com/hq/esi/dataware.htm (internal)
http://www.partner.digital.com/sbu/esi/ (partner site)
--------
CONTACTS
--------
DMDG MARKETING
Sandy Day, Installed Base Initiative
DTN: 297-3853 @MRO
Steve Downes, Marketing Programs Manager
DTN: 297-2441 MROA::DOWNES
Mary Anne La Haise, Marketing Communications Manager
DTN: 297-3398 MROA::LAHAISE
Fran Murar, Marketing Manager
DTN: 297-5616 MROA::MURAR
DMDG OPERATIONS
Judie Beatrice, Business Practices Manager
DTN: 297-3135, @MRO
Pat Bernard, Operations and Planning Manager
DTN: 381-1648 ZEKE::BERNARD
Andy Schneider, Channels Development Manager
DTN: 381-1696 ZEKE::ASCHNEIDER
TECHNICAL
Paul Krneta, Technical Director
DTN: 543-3553 CALDEC::KRNETA
Henry McCathern, Technical Consultant
DTN: 543-3534 CALDEC::MCCATHERN
INFORMIX
Cameron Crowe, Global Business Manager
DTN: 543-3530 @PAG
Rhodri Jenkins, Europe Account Manager
DTN: 830-6670 @BSO
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
[65] 290-7188 ZPOVC::IQBAL
Paul Su, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
DTN: 543-3491 CALDEC::PAULSU
ORACLE
Anthony Williams, Americas Account Manager
408-688-8175 @WRO
Linda Eunson, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
65-290-4964 @ZPO
Walter Heil, Oracle Sales
DTN: 543-3552 CALDEC::HEIL
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
DTN: 699-7177 @TKO
Philip Louis, Europe Account Manager
DTN: 830-4560 @REO
SOFTWARE AG
Chuck Eichenlaub, Americas Account Manager
412-733-0159 @PTO
Werner Feld, Global Business Manager
DTN: 861-3662 @FRS
Dianne Lau, Asia Account Manager
DTN: 675-7701 @ZPO
Kurt Roedszus, Technical Consultant
DTN: 861-3809 @FRS
Paul Su, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
DTN: 543-3491 CALDEC::PAULSU
Tetsuo Ueda, Japan Account Manager
DTN: 699-7177 @OSO
Axel Wiegand, Germany Account Manager
DTN: 861-3328 @FRS
SYBASE
Dick Anderson, Americas Business Manager
DTN: 223-6031 MSBCS::ANDERSON
Jim Bolton, Global Business Manager
DTN: 543-3649 @PAG
Colin Hutchins, European Account Manager
DTN: 847-5978 @HHL
Uwe Krueger, Germany Account Manager
DTN: 861-3281 @FRS
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
[65] 290-7188 ZPOVC::IQBAL
Paul Su, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
DTN: 543-3491 CALDEC::PAULSU
COMMENTS?
Please let us know what you think about Database Marketing Update.
Send your comments, ideas, suggestions, and questions to:
Christine Macfarlane, Editor
VMSMKT::MACFARLANE
and
Mary Anne LaHaise, Executive Editor
@MRO or MROA::LAHAISE
Digital believes the information in this publication is accurate as of
its publication date; such information is subject to change without
notice. Digital is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. Digital
conducts its business in a manner that conserves the environment.
Trademarks: AlphaServer, Digital, DEC, DECUS, DECsafe, HiNote, OpenVMS,
TruCluster, Turbolaser, VAX, and the Digital logo are trademarks of
Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital UNIX is an X/Open UNIX 95
branded product.
INFORMIX and INFORMIX-ONLINE are registered trademarks of Informix
Software, Inc. Oracle is a registered trademark, and Oracle7, Oracle
Rdb, Oracle Applications, and Oracle WebServer are trademarks of
Oracle Corporation. ADABAS, ENTIRE, and NATURAL are registered
trademarks of Software AG. Sybase and System 11 are registered
trademarks and SQL Server is a trademark of Sybase, Inc. Windows and
Windows NT are trademarks and Microsoft, Windows 95, and PowerPoint are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Hewlett-Packard, HP,
and HP-UX are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company. IBM
and DB2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines.
Sun and Solaris are registered trademarks and Ultra and UltraServer
are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. R/3 is a trademark and SAP is
a registered trademark of SAP AG. Tandem and Himalaya are registered
trademarks of Tandem Computers, Inc. Circuit City is a registered
trademark of Circuit City Stores West Coast, Inc. Apple is a
registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Encore is a registered
trademark of Encore Systems, Inc. tpmC and TPC-C are trademarks of the
Transaction Processing Performance Council. Tuxedo is a registered
trademark of Novell, Inc. Compaq is a registered trademark and
ProLiant is a trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation. UNIX is a
registered trademark in the US and other countries, licensed
exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd.
Database Marketing Update
|
| 441.3 | Volume 2.6 Nov/Dec 96 | EPS::HAGGERTY | SBU ASE, Nashua NH USA | Mon Jan 27 1997 23:26 | 824 |
| ******************************************************************
* Digital *
* --------------- *
* DATABASE MARKETING UPDATE *
* --------------- *
* DMDG's Newsletter for Sales and Sales Support Covering Digital's *
* Partnerships with Informix, Oracle, Software AG, and Sybase *
* (Formerly known as Database World) *
******************************************************************
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER '96 DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY VOLUME 2.6
TABLE OF CONTENTS (this newsletter is 14 pages long)
o WHAT'S HOT!
- Oracle OpenWorld Draws 15,000
o INFORMIX NEWS
- Informix Celebrates 10 Years as Public Company
- Informix and Digital Win at Igase
o ORACLE NEWS
- Dramatic Backup Results using Oracle7 Database
- Oracle Brazilian Subsidiary Recognizes Digital Brazil
- New Rdb/AlphaServer System Upgrade Seminar Program
- Oracle and Digital Deliver for Gordon Food Services
o SOFTWARE AG NEWS
- Software AG Announces New CEO
- Web-Enablement the Easy Way
- Software AG and Digital Close Destination Alpha Sales
- Software AG and Digital Keep Home Hardware Truckin'
- Software AG Helps Gmelin Institute Get the Word Out
- Product Announcements
- Advertising Continues in Major Magazines
- Enterprise Web Data Warehouse Road Show
o SYBASE NEWS
- Sybase and Digital Implement Joint Upgrade Program
- System 11 Extends Range on AlphaServer Platforms
o DMU QUERY
- "Quiz" Questions from Oracle OpenWorld '96
o EVENTS
o RESOURCES
o CONTACTS
-----------
WHAT'S HOT!
-----------
ORACLE OPENWORLD DRAWS 15,000
A great success for Digital
Oracle OpenWorld '96, held in early November, was a huge success,
drawing 15,000 people to the Moscone Convention Center in San
Francisco (12,000 were anticipated at the exhibits).
It was standing room only at the general session on Tuesday, November
5, Digital(TM) Day at Open World, which featured keynote speaker Bob
Palmer and a customer panel of senior executives from such customers as
Acxiom and Source Informatics (formerly Walsh America).
Bob's speech reached a room audience of 7,000, with more than 1,000
additional attendees watching on large screen TV outside the hall.
Clearly attendees wanted to hear about the Digital/Oracle advantage
and came out in force to get details. All five Digital sessions were
standing room only, and people had to be turned away.
Another major attraction was the video wall's 1-minute video on
Oracle's choice of AlphaServer(TM) systems to run its core business
applications. This testimonial video is closely integrated with the
print advertising currently appearing in trade and business
publications. It sends the powerful message that Oracle(R) runs best on
Digital.
Traffic in the booth was heavy, generating over 1,000 leads and making
the event the "best show ever" from Digital's perspective.
***************************************************************
* Please remember not to use the sales wins described in this *
* newsletter without first contacting the account manager. *
***************************************************************
-------------
INFORMIX NEWS
-------------
INFORMIX CELEBRATES 10 YEARS AS PUBLIC COMPANY
September 24 marked Informix's tenth-year anniversary as a public
company. Over the past decade, revenues have grown 33-fold, net income
39-fold, and the stock price has appreciated 29-fold.
In February, the Wall Street Journal Shareholder Scorecard named
Informix(R) its best five-year performer. From the period between 1991
and the end of 1995, Informix stock racked up an annual rate of return
of 121 percent.
Said Informix president, chairman and CEO Phillip White, "Our strong
performance, noted by the Wall Street Journal and others, is due to
our unwavering focus on technical innovation and best-of-breed database
technology, coupled with our strong commitment to working with
partners."
Poised for growth
In February, Informix acquired Illustra Information Technologies of
Oakland, CA and embarked on a new phase of technical innovation. By
combining the Informix and Illustra(TM) code lines, Informix is
creating a new generation of database, called INFORMIX-Universal
Server, that can store and dynamically retrieve a wide range of
multimedia content, including images, audio, 3-D graphics, and maps.
The Universal Server can also store modules of reusable application
code, providing a major productivity boost to application developers.
INFORMIX-Universal can perform all of these functions many times
faster than traditional relational databases.
According to White, "The importance of this type of database for Web
applications -- which put a premium on multimedia content -- is clear.
But we believe that a variety of other application areas, including
online transaction processing and data warehousing, will also benefit
greatly from the ability to manage complex data types and the resulting
productivity gains offered by the Universal Server."
INFORMIX AND DIGITAL WIN AT IGASE
Digital recently closed a sale with Igase, a hospital organization be-
longing to one of the largest healthcare insurance companies in Brazil.
The sale calls for the installation of three AlphaServer 1000 systems,
ten AlphaServer 400 systems, and a LAN/WAN that will connect 12
hospitals and one laboratory with Igase headquarters. All 13 locations
will use a healthcare application based on an Informix database.
Digital's revenue from this project will be $2M.
The next phase of the project will connect the Golden Med Center and
interconnect approximately 70 remote medical centers, all using
Informix.
For more information, contact Cristiane Santos @DJO, 5521 2971122.
-----------
ORACLE NEWS
-----------
DRAMATIC BACKUP RESULTS USING ORACLE7 DATABASE
500+ GB/hour on AlphaServer8400 5/300 system
Digital and Oracle along with OpenVision Technologies and Storage
Technology Corp., have achieved dramatic results in a jointly
conducted database backup demonstration. At "hot" backup speeds of 504
gigabytes per hour, the companies have established the industry's
fastest database backup time. (Most storage vendors' published backup
benchmarks are in the 5 to 20 GB/hour range; previous results at
Digital have been higher -- 40 to 80 GB/hour.)
A "cold" database backup is done with the database inaccessible to
users. A "hot" database backup is accessible to users and allows
changes to be made to the database during the backup.
Tests were conducted using an Oracle7.2 database running on an 8-CPU
AlphaServer 8400 5/300 system, Digital UNIX(R) 4.0A, OpenVision(R)
AXXiON(TM) NetBackup 2.1, and 15 StorageTek(TM) RedWood(TM) SD-3 tape
drives, with the following results:
Type GB/hour %CPU
Cold 517.19 42
Hot 504.47 44
(without transaction load)
Hot 440.14 46
(with transaction load)
The demonstration proves the viability of a multi-terabyte database
backup within a reasonable timeframe.
Additional backup/restore tests are now being performed and results
will be available soon.
For more information, contact Paul Krneta, CALDEC::KRNETA, DTN:
543-3553, Steve Downes, MROA::DOWNES, DTN: 297-2441, or Mary Anne
LaHaise, MROA::LAHAISE, DTN: 297-3398. A white paper describing the
demonstration is available at the following web site:
http://www-dmdg.pa.dec.com
ORACLE BRAZILIAN SUBSIDIARY RECOGNIZES DIGITAL BRAZIL
Awards Digital sales person for outstanding contribution
The Oracle Brazilian Subsidiary's initiative was to recognize sales
people from Oracle's Business Application Partners who most contributed
to the company's FY96 results. Their selection was based on sales made
through the BAP for Oracle in the last quarter.
Oracle selected Digital as the partner who most contributed to its Q4
results ($631,000). And for his part in this success, Digital sales
representative Cris Santos was awarded a visit to Oracle Headquarters
in San Francisco.
Digital was also recognized as the BAP partner whose "sales through"
most contributed to Oracle Brazil results during the 1996 fiscal year
-- $1.9M. The total volume of Oracle Brazil product sales on Digital
platforms for FY96 was $3.8M -- 15% of total Oracle Brazil product
sales.
The success of the Digital/Oracle relationship was recognized by
Oracle's Latin America organization. In June, Fabio Oliveira, Oracle
BAP manager in charge of the Digital partnership, received an award
for developing the best partner relationship in Latin America during
FY96: Digital and Oracle in Brazil.
NEW RDB/ALPHASERVER SYSTEM UPGRADE SEMINAR PROGRAM
A new program has been developed for Oracle Rdb(TM) and VAX(TM)
customers to illustrate the benefits of upgrading to Rdb7 and
AlphaServer systems. A complete seminar kit, including a sample
invitation, brochure, seminar presentations, seminar survey form and
telemarketing script, is now available. Seminars are underway in a
number of major European cities, and are planned for the Americas.
For further information, contact Susan Peppercorn @PKO, DTN: 223-5847.
ORACLE AND DIGITAL DELIVER FOR GORDON FOOD SERVICES
Gordon Food Services (GFS), a privately-owned wholesale food
distributor in Grand Rapids, MI, serves institutional customers, such
as hospitals and schools, throughout the Midwest and in the Toronto,
Canada area. With annual business of $1 billion and a 10% growth rate,
the company ranks sixth in its market.
When GFS's UNISYS(R)mainframe could no longer support their financial
software, GFS looked to Digital and Oracle for a solution. They chose
a 64-bit Digital UNIX environment with AlphaServer 8200, 4100, and
2100 systems, Oracle7(TM), and Lawson Financials. The solution allows
the company to handle far larger volumes of orders requiring
two-minute turn-around.
More than 60 communication ports feed into one AlphaServer system
through a terminal-server network. Approximately 2,000 customers
interface directly with GFS systems to place orders, while Gordon's
400 sales people place orders themselves for more than 250,000 cases
of food per day.
Purchase orders and sales orders are downloaded to AlphaServer 2100 or
4100 systems running the Oracle database at Gordon's automated
warehouses, where inventory levels are continually updated. In
addition, the company is now implementing a sales-history data
warehouse using the 64-bit Oracle database and Digital's VLM64
technology. GFS runs Lawson Financials, a suite of integrated
accounting applications, on an AlphaServer 8200 enterprise system.
With the scalable 64-bit solution in place, GFS is well grounded to
expand its technology in multiple directions -- including financial,
data warehousing, warehouse automation, order-entry, customer service,
and Internet/Intranet and retail applications.
For more information, contact Nancy Obrien @CLO, DTN 431-2879. A
customer testimonial is available on the IR (TE00RD).
----------------
SOFTWARE AG NEWS
----------------
SOFTWARE AG ANNOUNCES NEW CEO
Software AG has announced Dr. Erwin Koenigs as President and Chief
Executive Officer, effective November 1, 1996. Dr. Koenigs replaces
Peter Schnell, cofounder and head of the corporation since 1969.
"I am proud to be joining one of the leading companies in systems
software technology," said Dr. Koenigs. "Software AG will continue to
focus on its virtues with innovative solutions for mission-critical
enterprise information technology."
Dr. Koenigs previously was chairman of the Executive Board of
Linotype-Hell AG, Eschborn, Germany, the leading supplier of prepress
and publishing technology. Before joining Linotype-Hell in 1989, he
worked for Nixdorf AG, Paderborn for more than ten years in research
and development. Dr. Koenigs holds a doctorate in physics from the
RWTH-Aachen.
WEB-ENABLEMENT THE EASY WAY
iXpress demonstrated at Fall European DECUS
iXpress(TM), Software AG's high-performance data access server for the
Web, generated much interest at Fall European DECUS(TM), held recently
in Barcelona, Spain. Software AG had their own booth staffed by
company personnel who demonstrated iXpress and other products running
on Digital's AlphaServer system.
Based on Windows NT(TM) and available on AlphaServer systems for
workgroups, departments, or enterprises, iXpress combines existing
enterprise systems with the flexibility of industry standard browsers,
so that organizations can deliver and manage business critical
information solutions via the Internet. Customers can make existing
applications available on the Web without changing one line of code in
the legacy application.
With training of the Software AG and Digital sales forces completed,
Software AG is now scheduling customer seminars through November 20 in
Latin America and Canada. Plans for replicating the program in the US
and Mexico are underway.
For more information, contact Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO, 412-733-0159.
SOFTWARE AG AND DIGITAL CLOSE DESTINATION ALPHA SALES
PVT
The Czech Software House, PVT, four years ago installed a business
application using ADABAS(R) and NATURAL(R) at the Czech Finance Ministry.
The application handles the privatization of Czech state-owned
companies.
Earlier this year, PVT ran an application benchmark on an AlphaServer
8000 system in Valbonne to decide whether to migrate the existing VAX
server to the AlphaServer system. On the AlphaServer system,
performance improved four times compared to the installed VAX 7000.
PVT ordered an AlphaServer 8400 5/350 system with six CPUs, two
gigabytes of memory, 120 gigabytes of disk, and the OpenVMS(TM)
(unlimited license) operating system.
The total amount of the order is $1.213 million, with further orders
for networking products and software layered products expected.
For more information, contact Roman Kalny @CHK, DTN: 837-0244.
State of Nevada
Software AG and Digital recently closed a VAX to AlphaServer migration
sale at the State of Nevada's SIIS data processing group. The team,
employing members from both companies, installed two AlphaServer 8400
systems, an AlphaServer 4100 system, an AlphaServer 2100 system, and
the OpenVMS operating system for a total sale valued at $1.6 million.
Replacing a VAX 7000, one of the AlphaServer 8400 systems runs
Worker's Compensation, claims processing, and payment and accounting
applications using ADABAS C and NATURAL. The second AlphaServer 8440
system was installed for data warehousing and backup capabilities.
For more information, contact Rich Bruso @SLO, 801-944-8128 or Chet
Curtis @HLO, DTN: 225-4661.
SOFTWARE AG AND DIGITAL KEEP HOME HARDWARE TRUCKIN'
Home Hardware Stores Limited, Canada's largest dealer-owned
distribution company, keeps almost 1,000 hardware retailers
competitive with a distribution system running on a fault-tolerant
OpenVMS Cluster of AlphaServer systems.
A $CA1.3 billion ($US975 million) collaborative enterprise, Home
Hardware manages order processing and delivery for more than 60,000
SKUs (product codes). Their infrastructure includes 18 acres of
warehousing at four sites in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Alberta, and
the second-largest private trucking fleet in Canada (350 trucks).
Home Hardware started using Digital computers in the mid-1980s, when
the company's nationwide growth exhausted their existing NCR
mainframe. They choose VAX computers running the OpenVMS operating
system and ADABAS C software from Software AG.
Alpha migration pays off
Two years ago, Home Hardware upgraded from VAX systems to 64-bit
AlphaServer systems. "It was a very simple migration," says Terry
Davis, vice president of marketing and information systems. "We were
able to preserve our application investment, stay with Digital's
clustering technology, and gain the performance boost we needed."
Today, Home Hardware depends on the fault-tolerant OpenVMS Cluster of
64-bit AlphaServer systems to run all of its mission-critical
applications, including purchasing, logistics, shipping and receiving,
and order processing.
For more information, contact Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO, 412-733-0159.
SOFTWARE AG HELPS GMELIN INSTITUTE GET THE WORD OUT
In Frankfurt, Germany, the Gmelin Institute carries on work started
more than 170 years ago by scientist Leopold Gmelin -- collecting and
publishing information about inorganic chemistry. Thousands of
articles, reports, and journals are printed every year, and hundreds of
thousands of chemical compounds have been discovered since Gmelin's
time, generating massive amounts of information for the Institute to
track.
Today, the Gmelin Institute handles the load with the support of
Software AG's ADABAS database management system and NATURAL
application development environment running on Digital's AlphaServer
8000 series and OpenVMS. These systems help the Institute publish
their 720-volume Gmelin Handbook in print and over the Scientific
Technology Network and the Internet.
Digital and Software AG provide client-server solution
The Gmelin Institute, together with its sister organization, the
Beilstein Institute, began the search for the right IT solution just a
few years ago. They settled on an in-house client-server environment
consisting of 70 workstations connected through Software AG's NET-WORK
to a Digital VAX 6000-320 server running ADABAS and NATURAL.
Since the system went live in 1989, the Gmelin Institute has continued
publishing, on average, 20 volumes (6,500 pages) of the Gmelin
Handbook a year, improving production and data storage by developing
their own Gmelin Factual Database and Gmelin Electronic Card Index.
Both databases are managed by ADABAS and developed with NATURAL.
Easy Alpha migration
In 1994, seeking overall performance improvements, the Gmelin Institute
decided to migrate to Digital's AlphaServer 8000 series. According to
Dr. Gottfried Olbrich, IT manager at the Gmelin Institute, "On average,
the change from VAX to AlphaServer system tripled or quadrupled
performance; for CPU-intensive applications, the improvement was even
greater than tenfold."
He added, "When the new system was installed, the only thing we had to
transfer was ADABAS and the other databases and about ten
NATURAL-based applications to the new system. I can frankly say, we
encountered no problems whatsoever."
For more information, contact Werner Feld @FRS, DTN: 861-3662.
PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADABAS C on AlphaServer Systems running Windows NT
Software AG has announced availability of ADABAS C on AlphaServer
systems running Windows NT, with FRS scheduled for November, 1996.
With this version, Software AG now supports all Digital operating
platforms and Intel(R)/NT:
Operating System ADABAS C
Digital UNIX V2.2.3
OpenVMS/Alpha V3.2.2
OpenVMS/VAX V3.2.2
WNT/Alpha V2.2.3
WNT/Intel V2.2.3
NATURAL V2.2 on AlphaServer Systems running OpenVMS
NATURAL V2.2 is now available on AlphaServer systems running OpenVMS.
Product release occurred on October 14th.
ADVERTISING CONTINUES IN MAJOR MAGAZINES
Software AG is continuing their advertising campaign in "CIO,"
"Datamation," "Information Week," and "Computerworld" through late
December. The latest ad focuses on ADABAS D's ability to speed
decision support and data warehouse applications using VLM on
AlphaServer systems.
Furthermore, Software AG is running the "Winners" ad in all three
European editions of "DEC Professional" in the November/December
timeframe. The "Winners" ad highlights the best-ever achieved benchmark
record with an AlphaServer 8400 system running the SAP(R) R/3(TM) SD
benchmark. For more details, see the English, French, or German
edition of "DEC Professional." The full report is available in the IR
or at Software AG's web site: www.softwareag.com
ENTERPRISE WEB DATA WAREHOUSE ROAD SHOW
Software AG's world wide Enterprise Web Data Warehouse road show is
currently running through November. Besides IBM(R) and HP(R), Digital is
mentioned as the preferred hardware platform for data warehouse
projects and is included in the Strategic Partner presentation with a
video clip. During the road show, Software AG is presenting Intelligon,
its total solution approach for building enterprise-wide data warehouse
solutions. The road show is scheduled to finish on November 21 in
Mexico City.
For more information, contact Werner Feld @FRS, DTN: 861-3662.
-----------
SYBASE NEWS
-----------
SYBASE AND DIGITAL IMPLEMENT JOINT UPGRADE PROGRAM
Encourage customer move to System 11 and AlphaServer systems
Sybase(R) and Digital have joined forces in an initiative that they hope
will convince Sybase's entire customer base to move from System 10 to
System 11(R) running on AlphaServer systems. Both companies view the
migration as straight forward with huge benefits for customers.
As Sybase's highest performing, highest reliability product, System 11
holds all TPC(TM) records for single node systems. Combined with
AlphaServer systems, the result will yield even greater performance
and lower service costs.
Digital is already one of Sybase's top three installed platforms.
System 11 is available now on AlphaServer systems running Digital UNIX
and OpenVMS, and will soon be available on Windows NT (it is not
supported on VAX systems).
On November 7th, Digital and Sybase presented a Migration Teleseminar
where customers learned about the Migration initiative and support,
and where they discussed special requirements. In Anaheim at Fall
DECUS, the Sybase booth focused on customer migration; seven
presentations in the DECUS program described the plans.
By the end of November, a broad customer survey will be completed and
developed into a tailored Sybase/Digital Migration Package. Both
companies are committed to providing an efficient path, tailored to
customer-specific requirements, to move customers to the AlphaServer
system of their choice.
For more information, contact Dick Anderson, MSBCS::ANDERSON, DTN:
223-6031.
SYSTEM 11 EXTENDS RANGE ON ALPHASERVER PLATFORMS
OpenVMS, Digital UNIX, and Windows NT are targets
With user demands for more useful data growing, and large-scale
decision-support databases increasing in size, database power and
scalability are hot topics. System 11 running on AlphaServer systems is
demonstrating that it delivers the tremendous performance and
scalability capabilities enterprises require.
System 11 is winning acclaim with its technology advances and
resulting outstanding benchmarks, proving itself to be an excellent
choice for deployment in data warehouses, data marts, on line
transaction processing (OLTP) systems, and decision support systems
(DSS).
Running on AlphaServer 8000 and AlphaServer 4100 systems with VLM64,
System 11 now supports both Digital UNIX and OpenVMS. Optimized for
performance on these systems, System 11 has unique features, such as
Logical Memory Manager and named caches, that can deliver significant
advantages to enterprise database systems.
Expanding into the Windows NT realm, especially with data marts,
System 11 offers another dimension in scalability, offering customers
additional choice and additional flexibility in system platforms.
Windows NT availability is slated for December.
For more information about Sybase products see their web site:
http://www.sybase.com
---------
DMU QUERY
---------
(A column featuring answers to readers' questions about database
markets and technology. Please send all questions to the editors.
The following "quiz" questions and answers were taken from a major
presentation given at Oracle OpenWorld '96.)
Q: What Digital family of high performance servers for Data Warehouse
applications has the fastest growth rate in the industry?
A: AlphaServer 8000.
Q: According to the 1996 Systems and Servers Study by Management
Insight Technologies, what server attribute was ranked Most Important
by customers?
A: System Reliability.
Q: While other platform vendors are struggling to produce Clustering
technology, Digital has years of leadership and experience in
Clustering, with over how many clusters installed worldwide since
1983?
A: 60,000.
Q: For what internal applications(s) does Oracle Corporation use
AlphaServer systems?
A: Core Business Applications (for example, Financial and Email
systems).
------
EVENTS
------
ENTERPRISE WEB DATA WAREHOUSE ROAD SHOW
Software AG's worldwide road show will conclude on November 21 in
Mexico City. Contact Werner Feld @FRS, DTN: 861-3662 for details.
ASIAN MARKETING DATA WAREHOUSING ROAD SHOW SEMINARS
Asian Marketing, together with Software AG and Informix, are presenting
Data Warehousing seminars in November in Singapore, Thailand, and the
Philippines. Keynote address by Dr. Karl Dederichs of Software AG. For
more information, contact Ronald Boon @ZPO, DTN: 675-7764.
ORACLE RDB/ALPHASERVER UPGRADE PROGRAM SEMINARS AND KIT
Seminars are underway in Europe and planned for the Americas. Complete
kit available. Contact Susan Peppercorn @PKO, DTN:223-5847.
IXPRESS CUSTOMER SEMINARS
Customer seminars are currently underway, with additional seminars
planned. For more information, contact Chuck Eichenlaub @PTO,
412-733-0159.
---------
RESOURCES
---------
LITERATURE AND SALES TOOLS
White Paper
"Backup/Recovery Demonstration for Very Large Database (VLDB)
Environments" available at: http://www-dmdg.pa.dec.com
System Enhancement Guide
Key sales tool for justifying upgrades to VAX and AlphaServer systems.
Recently revised and available from VTX LOS (part number EC-N7090-93),
or view electronically at: http://sbu.mro.dec.com/ibi/
Oracle Rdb and Digital's OpenVMS AlphaServers
Available in IR, or order from VTX LOS (part number EC-F7081-93).
Advertising
Software AG advertising campaign continues through December in "CIO,"
"Datamation," "Information Week," and "Computer World." The "Winners"
ad appears in November/December in "DEC Professional." A full report is
available in the IR or at: http://www.softwareag.com
Oracle Videos
"Oracle Flies on Digital's AlphaServers" - One-minute video
highlighting why Oracle chose Digital's AlphaServer 8500 systems to run
their core business. Available from VTX IR (order number VI56AU)
"Oracle Flies on Digital's AlphaServers" - Five-minute version
additionally includes interviews with Oracle's CFO and CIO. Available
from VTX IR (order number VI56AV)
InFORM
Special issue for Oracle OpenWorld available from VTX LOS (order
number EC-N7265-53)
WEB LOCATIONS
Informix
http://www.informix.com
http://www.illustra.com
Oracle
http://www.oracle.com
Software AG
http://www.softwareag.com
Germany: http://www.sag.de
Portugal: http://www.software-ag.pt
Spain: http://www.sag.es
Switzerland: http://www.softwareag.com/schweiz/ch-home.htm
US: http://www.sagus.com
Sybase
http://www.sybase.com
Data Warehouse Home Page
http://sbu.mro.dec.com/hq/esi/dataware.htm (internal)
http://www.partner.digital.com/sbu/esi/ (partner site)
--------
CONTACTS
--------
DMDG MARKETING
Steve Downes, Marketing Programs Manager
DTN: 297-2441 MROA::DOWNES
Mary Anne La Haise, Marketing Communications Manager
DTN: 297-3398 MROA::LAHAISE
Fran Murar, Marketing Manager
DTN: 297-5616 MROA::MURAR
DMDG OPERATIONS
Judie Beatrice, Business Practices Manager
DTN: 297-3135, @MRO
Pat Bernard, Operations and Planning Manager
DTN: 381-1648 ZEKE::BERNARD
Andy Schneider, Channels Development Manager
DTN: 381-1696 ZEKE::ASCHNEIDER
TECHNICAL
Paul Krneta, Technical Director
DTN: 543-3553 CALDEC::KRNETA
Henry McCathern, Technical Consultant
DTN: 543-3534 CALDEC::MCCATHERN
INFORMIX
Cameron Crowe, Global Business Manager
DTN: 543-3530 @PAG
Bob Moorhead, Americas Account Manager
415-574-9017 @WRO
Rhodri Jenkins, Europe Account Manager
DTN: 830-6670 @BSO
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
[65] 290-7188 ZPOVC::IQBAL
Paul Su, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
DTN: 543-3491 CALDEC::PAULSU
ORACLE
Anthony Williams, Americas Account Manager
408-688-8175 @WRO
Linda Eunson, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
65-290-4964 @ZPO
Walter Heil, Oracle Sales
DTN: 543-3552 CALDEC::HEIL
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
DTN: 699-7177 @TKO
Ken Lewis, Global Account Manager
DTN: 543-3533 @PAG
SOFTWARE AG
Chuck Eichenlaub, Americas Account Manager
412-733-0159 @PTO
Werner Feld, Global Business Manager
DTN: 861-3662 @FRS
Dianne Lau, Asia Account Manager
DTN: 675-7701 @ZPO
Kurt Roedszus, Technical Consultant
DTN: 861-3809 @FRS
Paul Su, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
DTN: 543-3491 CALDEC::PAULSU
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
DTN: 699-7336 @TKO
Axel Wiegand, Germany Account Manager
DTN: 861-3328 @FRS
SYBASE
Dick Anderson, Americas Business Manager
DTN: 223-6031 MSBCS::ANDERSON
Jim Bolton, Global Business Manager
DTN: 543-3649 @PAG
Colin Hutchins, European Account Manager
DTN: 847-5978 @HHL
Uwe Krueger, Germany Account Manager
DTN: 861-3281 @FRS
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
[65] 290-7188 ZPOVC::IQBAL
Paul Su, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
DTN: 543-3491 CALDEC::PAULSU
COMMENTS?
Please let us know what you think about Database Marketing Update.
Send your comments, ideas, suggestions, and questions to:
Christine Macfarlane, Editor
VMSMKT::MACFARLANE
and
Mary Anne LaHaise, Executive Editor
@MRO or MROA::LAHAISE
Digital believes the information in this publication is accurate as of
its publication date; such information is subject to change without
notice. Digital is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. Digital
conducts its business in a manner that conserves the environment.
Trademarks: AlphaServer, Digital, DEC, DECUS, OpenVMS, TruCluster, VAX,
and the Digital logo are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.
Digital UNIX is an X/Open UNIX 95 branded product.
AXXiON is a trademark and OpenVision is a registered trademark of
OpenVision Technologies, Inc. StorageTek and RedWood are trademarks of
Storage Technology Corp. UNISYS is a registered trademark of Unisys
Corporation. Hewlett-Packard and HP are registered trademarks of
Hewlett-Packard Company. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel
Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines. Oracle is a registered trademark, and Oracle7 and Oracle Rdb
are trademarks of Oracle Corporation. Windows and Windows NT are
trademarks and Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. Informix and INFORMIX-Online are registered
trademarks and Illustra is a trademark of Informix Software, Inc.
Sybase is a registered trademark of Sybase, Inc. ADABAS and NATURAL
are registered trademarks and iXpress is a trademark of Software AG.
R/3 is a trademark and SAP is a registered trademark of SAP AG. tpmC
and TPC-C are trademarks of the Transaction Processing Performance
Council. UNIX is a registered trademark in the US and other countries,
licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd.
Database Marketing Update
|
| 441.4 | Volume 3.1 Jan/Feb 97 | EPS::HAGGERTY | SBU ASE, Nashua NH USA | Mon Jan 27 1997 23:28 | 1131 |
| ******************************************************************
* DIGITAL *
* --------------- *
* DATABASE MARKETING UPDATE *
* --------------- *
* DMDG's Newsletter for Sales and Sales Support Covering DIGITAL's *
* Partnerships with Informix, Oracle, SOFTWARE AG, and Sybase *
* *
******************************************************************
JANUARY/FEBRUARY '97 DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY VOLUME 3.1
TABLE OF CONTENTS (this newsletter is 19 pages long)
o WHAT'S HOT!
- DIGITAL Supports Oracle's Product Strategy for Java
o INFORMIX NEWS
- INFORMIX-Universal Server Gains DIGITAL's Support
o ORACLE NEWS
- Oracle Database Products to be Removed from DIGITAL Price File
- Oracle/DIGITAL Increase TPC-D Leadership
- Record-Shattering Backup Performance Using Oracle7 Database
- Oracle and DIGITAL Participate in GEMMS Road Show
- Oracle A/P Focuses on Platform Vendors
- Oracle Rdb7 Seminar Series Now in U.S.
- Oracle Rdb VAX Customer Survey Completed
- New Oracle Web Site
- Fannie Mae Banks on Oracle and DIGITAL
- ASCE Moves From UNISYS Mainframe to Alpha Server Solution
- Bank Austria Launches Electronic Banking Services
o SOFTWARE AG NEWS
- SOFTWARE AG and Sybase Work Together to Provide DCOM-based
Solutions
- SOFTWARE AG Runs Internal SAP R/3 Systems on DIGITAL Systems
- SOFTWARE AG Activities
- Department of Transportation Charts Future Course with
SOFTWARE AG and DIGITAL
- State of Wyoming Chooses CRIS Running on ADABAS D
- Third AlphaServer 8400 System for Biblioteca Nacional
o SYBASE NEWS
- Sybase System 11 Now Available on Alpha OpenVMS and NT Systems
- Sybase and SOFTWARE AG Work Together to Provide DCOM-based
Solutions
- TCI Subscribes to Sybase/DIGITAL Data Warehousing Solution
- Sybase Customer References
o DMU QUERY
- Questions about TPC-D Benchmark Specification and "Decision
Support"
o EVENTS
o RESOURCES
o CONTACTS
-----------
WHAT'S HOT!
-----------
DIGITAL SUPPORTS ORACLE'S PRODUCT STRATEGY FOR JAVA
At the recent Internet World conference in New York, Oracle(R)
extended its commitment to Java(TM), providing support for corporate
enterprises building mission-critical applications across all tiers of
Network Computing Architecture(TM).
"We see Oracle's support of Java in Network Computing Architecture as a
step forward for all enterprise customers," said James O'Gara, vice
president of the Database Market Development Group at DIGITAL(TM).
"Java plays an important role in DIGITAL's strategy to bring
enterprise-strength Internet solutions to customers. DIGITAL is also
extending its CORBA ObjectBroker(TM) Technology to support Java. The
combination of Oracle and DIGITAL products will enable customers to
quickly move into the era of network computing."
Oracle's Product Strategy
Oracle's product strategy for Java commits to:
o Deliver a comprehensive set of Java-based servers, tools, and
applications across all tiers of Network Computing Architecture,
supporting the development of scaleable enterprise systems
o Deliver a complete set of Java-based development tools, supporting
the integration and evolution of current applications to the Web
o Enhance existing products through Java-enablement
A proven leader in Java support and development, Oracle has already
demonstrated its commitment in the client and application server tiers
by implementing support for Java in such products as Oracle
WebServer(TM), Project Apollo Merchant Server, and Oracle
Developer/2000(TM) Web Cartridge.
At Internet World, Oracle announced unprecedented integration between
Java and the database by introducing J/SQL, Thin-Client JDBC, and
Java-stored database procedures.
For more information about Network Computing Architecture, visit
Oracle's Web site at:
http://www.oracle.com/nca/
***************************************************************
* Please remember not to use the sales wins described in this *
* newsletter without first contacting the account manager. *
***************************************************************
-------------
INFORMIX NEWS
-------------
INFORMIX-UNIVERSAL SERVER GAINS DIGITAL'S SUPPORT
In December, DIGITAL announced its intention to support the
INFORMIX(R)-Universal Server, a high-performance, scalable parallel-
processing engine designed to change the way companies store, retrieve,
manage, and use information assets.
Optimized for DIGITAL's family of DIGITAL AlphaServer(TM) systems, the
INFORMIX-Universal Server will enable customers to develop solutions
for the World Wide Web, financial markets, data warehousing, and other
evolving, complex data markets. Customers will be able to integrate
their core business systems and traditional data with new and emerging
data types such as times series, geospatial, multimedia, and HTML. The
AlphaServer system/Universal Server combination will also aid customers
who need to independently customize a database, by allowing them to
easily extend and adapt the database to support any new data type.
In addition to investing in training and development initiatives,
DIGITAL and Informix(R) have jointly engineered Informix products,
including Universal Server, to run on DIGITAL's family of AlphaServer
systems.
The INFORMIX-Universal Server is currently scheduled for April release.
-----------
ORACLE NEWS
-----------
ORACLE DATABASE PRODUCTS TO BE REMOVED FROM DIGITAL PRICE FILE
Effective February 24, 1997, DIGITAL will no longer resell the Oracle
database offerings as standalone products. The Oracle database
offerings consist of the Oracle7(TM) products and the Oracle Rdb(TM)
products.
DIGITAL will continue to resell Oracle database products as part of a
networked business solution through Network & System Integration
Services (NSIS). There is no change in this process. DIGITAL has also
sold other Oracle products as part of the NSIS value-added services,
and this, too, will continue unchanged.
Selling Information
Customers who require standalone Oracle database products can obtain
them from their application developer, or from Oracle Corporation, or
from an Oracle reseller, such as Avnet, Pioneer or Wyle in the U.S. (A
complete list of Oracle resellers will be distributed within 30 days.)
Also, in those cases where the sale of the Oracle database products
will be through an Oracle reseller, Oracle's reseller hot-line
(800-323-SELL) is available for inquiries such as names of resellers,
pricing and configuration.
Networked business solutions (i.e., value-added services from DIGITAL
NSIS) will continue to include Oracle products when required. Sales
credit for selling the Oracle database products as part of a networked
business solution will remain the same: the sales representative
receives sales credit towards his or her focus incentive.
Effective Date
The elimination of the Oracle Rdb products and the Oracle7 database
products from the DIGITAL price file is effective February 24, 1997.
Please note, however, that DIGITAL will honor all quotations issued
through February 21, 1997, and all orders that are in backlog as of
February 21, 1997.
For more information, contact Judie Beatrice@MRO, DTN 297-3135,
508-467-3135 or Andy Schneider at ZEKE::ASCHNEIDER, DTN 381-1696,
603-881-1696.
ORACLE/DIGITAL INCREASE TPC-D LEADERSHIP
Best price/performance for decision support
DIGITAL and Oracle once again broke TPC records by delivering
leadership price/performance TPC-D(R) benchmark results and the
highest single-system throughput and power measurements in the
industry.
DIGITAL's AlphaServer 8400 system running Oracle7.3 delivered from two
to six times better price/performance than all SMP and MPP vendors.
DIGITAL leads in single-system performance, delivering 360% better
power and throughput than HP(R) at one sixth the cost, between 25 and
40% better performance than Sun(R) for one half the cost, and 30%
better performance than IBM(R) (a 96-CPU MPP system) at one third the
cost. Only NCR(R), with a 160-CPU MPP system, leads in performance at
a staggering six times price premium with only a 1.5 to 2.3 times
performance gain. DIGITAL expects to claim all-around leadership with a
TruCluster(TM)-based TPC-D measurement in the near future.
TPC-D is the industry standard benchmark for measuring system
performance and price/performance for a decision support environment in
which complex ad-hoc queries are submitted against a large database.
For more information, see the column "DMU Query" in this newsletter,
and the WWW site at:
http://www.tpc.org
**********************************************************************
* TPC-D Benchmark Results *
* (100 GB Database) *
* *
* Power Throughput Price/Perf *
* (QppD) (QthD) (price/QphD) *
* --------------------------------- *
* *
* AlphaServer 8400 5/440 972.90 506.40 $2,058 *
* 12 Alpha CPUs, Oracle7.3 *
* *
* Sun Ultra(TM) Enterprise 6000 625.60 351.90 $4,500 *
* 24 UltraSPARC(TM) CPUs, *
* Oracle7.3 *
* *
* IBM RS 6000 SP Model 306 755.30 384.40 $6,935 *
* 96 PowerPC(R) CPUs, *
* DB2(TM) PE 1.2 *
* *
* Tandem(R) K-20000-16 392.00 214.00 $12,303 *
* 16 MIPS R4400 CPUs, *
* NonStop(R) *
* *
* HP 9000 EPS30 243.20 121.50 $13,233 *
* 12 PA7150 CPUs, Oracle7.3 *
* *
* NCR Worldmark(TM) 5100M 1441.90 1150.40 $13,365 *
* 160 Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPUs, *
* Teradata(R) *
**********************************************************************
RECORD-SHATTERING BACKUP PERFORMANCE USING ORACLE7 DATABASE
Numbers achieved with Alexandria Backup Librarian Software
Spectra Logic's new Alexandria(TM) Backup Librarian Software has
demonstrated record-shattering backup performance with the Oracle7
database, AlphaServer 8400 enterprise server, and StorageTek(TM) tape
products.
Alexandria backed up an online ("hot") Oracle7 database at 505.5
GB/hour with less than 10% CPU overhead, and did an off-line ("cold")
backup at 542 GB/hour with less than 3% overhead. In both cases, the
configuration consisted of an AlphaServer 8400 system with eight 300
MHz CPUs, 8 GB of memory, 440 GB StorageWorks(TM) Disk Subsystem and
15 StorageTek Redwood(TM) tape drives. The "hot" backup utilized
Oracle's Enterprise Backup Utility(TM) (EBU) with Alexandria.
The low CPU usage not only leaves the system available for transactions
and other applications, but also demonstrates further capacity to
scale. On an AlphaServer system, Alexandria has CPU headroom for a
projected transfer rate of more than 1.5 Terabytes-per-hour.
The demonstration underscores the need for high-performance backup in
an era of explosive data growth. Data warehousing, data mining, and
VLDB management are pivotal business concerns, and the ability to back
them up in time, or at all, is of paramount concern to users, RDBMS
vendors, and system hardware providers. Fast, live backup and low CPU
utilization permits users, for the first time, to complete more
frequent backups without impacting database access or performance.
Oracle7 customers running mission-critical databases can now perform
hot backups without compromising their service levels.
A white paper with complete data and configuration information is
available at:
www.spectralogic.com
REELbackup joins the "500 club"
In an unrelated performance test, REELbackup V4.0 (developed by
StorageTek and marketed by SCH Technologies) has performed "hot"
database backups at a rate of roughly 500 GB/hour (497.68 exactly) with
11% CPU utilization. The tests were performed at DIGITAL's benchmarking
lab using an AlphaServer 8400 server, DIGITAL UNIX, 250 GB Oracle7
database, SCH Technologies' REELbackup and dbBRZ software, 60 disk
drives running in parallel, and 15 StorageTek RedWood tape drives. Data
was restored at a rate of 78.2 GB/hour (using two drives) at 4% CPU
capacity.
The test confirms that off-the-shelf software can achieve dramatic
performance results on an AlphaServer 8000 series system, allowing
companies to perform hot backups and restores under full transaction
loads without noticeably affecting users.
For more information, see the SCH Technologies web site at:
http://www.sch.com
ORACLE AND DIGITAL PARTICIPATE IN GEMMS ROAD SHOW
Oracle and DIGITAL, together with Datalogix, participated in GEMMS
(Global Enterprise Manufacturing Management System) seminars held in
November and December in Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines,
Thailand, and Malaysia. Speakers from all three companies presented,
along with a consultant from Gartner. The event generated 35 solid
leads.
For more information, contact Pradipto Pal@ZPO, DTN: 675-7884 or 65
2907884.
ORACLE A/P FOCUSES ON PLATFORM VENDORS
Hires Matt Shaw to concentrate on DIGITAL exclusively
Oracle's tremendous growth in Asia Pacific, coupled with DIGITAL's
growth in platform share on Oracle (118% in the last fiscal year), has
spurred the company to place more focus on platform vendors such as
DIGITAL.
Consequently, Oracle has hired Matt Shaw to assume the position of
DIGITAL Business Development Manager for its Asian/Pacific countries,
effective January 1977. (Oracle's A/P countries are the same as
DIGITAL's, with the exception of Oracle Japan, which reports directly
to the U.S.)
Matt brings to Oracle over ten years experience with DIGITAL in
Canada, mainly in channels sales and marketing. He will be located in
Singapore and will work closely with Linda Eunson, his counterpart at
DIGITAL.
ORACLE RDB7 SEMINAR SERIES NOW IN U.S.
The Oracle seminar series, "Know No Limits with Rdb7 and
AlphaServers," will begin in the U.S. on February 4 and run through
mid-March. Seminars are also planned in Germany, Greece, Israel, the
Netherlands, the UK, and Switzerland.
For the latest U.S. seminar schedule, contact Ron Matviya@TAY, DTN:
227-3548 or 508-952-3548, or check the OpenVMS Web page at:
http://sbu.mro.dec.com/ibi
For information about upcoming seminars in Europe, contact Bob
Pattison@REO, DTN: 830-4110 or 44 1734204110.
ORACLE RDB VAX CUSTOMER SURVEY COMPLETED
A survey of Oracle Rdb VAX(TM) customers in the U.S. and Canada was
conducted in December to better understand buying trends and barriers
to upgrading. Of the 100 customers surveyed, 92 percent are using or
are planning to implement Windows NT(TM) in their computing
environments. Sixty percent of these customers are using or planning
to move to UNIX.
For more information, contact Susan Peppercorn@PKO, DTN: 223-5847 or
508-493-5847.
NEW ORACLE WEB SITE
Oracle now has a Web site with information about product availability,
current releases and version numbers, OpenVMS(TM), UNIX(R), and Alpha
NT at:
http://www.oracle.com/platforms/
Click on DIGITAL to find out about releases on DIGITAL platforms.
FANNIE MAE BANKS ON ORACLE AND DIGITAL
Result is cost-effective performance, smarter decision support
Fannie Mae is the largest financial institution in the world, and the
largest issuer of debt after the United States Treasury. More than 11
million American families today live in homes that Fannie Mae helped
finance. A model of efficiency, Fannie Mae manages more than $600
billion in assets -- with just 3,300 employees.
Today, the company is pursuing even greater efficiency, as it applies a
new DIGITAL Alpha-based data warehouse to help collect, validate,
organize, and analyze vast amounts of information about its loans,
borrowers, customers, and properties. The data warehouse is built on a
DIGITAL UNIX-based AlphaServer 8400 system running the Oracle7 database
and SAS(R) System Software.
Moving Beyond Mainframes
"We have data on 20 million loans with historical information going
back to 1979 -- plus data from nearly 70 external sources," explains
Mary Ann Francis, director of database systems development at Fannie
Mae. "In the past, this data resided on mainframes and was not easily
accessible to our economists and policy makers. We sometimes spent
weeks spinning through tapes to gather information about a particular
cohort of loans for research."
Fannie Mae's search for a mainframe alternative focused on three key
criteria: performance, availability, and affordability.
"Our new system had to support parallel processing and relational
databases," says Francis. "For the database, we did a structured
competitive benchmark, and Oracle won based on company strengths and
test execution. After that, DIGITAL did a benchmark for us of Oracle
on Alpha. In some cases, the AlphaServer produced results that were an
order of magnitude faster that the other platform we considered.
Clearly, that level of performance would make it easier to manage our
large data sets. Also, we felt confident that the AlphaServer's SMP
architecture and DIGITAL's TruCluster technology could keep up with
our growth." The company has 500 GB of raw data today, and generates
an additional 10 GB per month for new loans.
Once Fannie Mae made its platform decision, it moved quickly. "With
the AlphaServer, it took just three months to get the system running
and integrated into our environment, our systems people trained, and
the data loaded and accessible to users," says Francis.
Fannie Mae's solution includes a DIGITAL UNIX-based AlphaServer 8400
system with ten processors, six GB of system memory, 350 GB of DIGITAL
StorageWorks-based disk storage, Oracle7 database, and SAS System
Software.
For more information, contact Don McGinnis@ZKO, DTN: 381-0225 or
603-881-0225.
ASCE MOVES FROM UNISYS MAINFRAME TO ALPHA SERVER SOLUTION
Uses Oracle7 database
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the world's largest
professional organization for civil engineers. Growing rapidly and
looking to provide more innovative service offerings for its members,
the ASCE has chosen a new 64-bit Alpha server infrastructure to
achieve its strategic objectives for expansion and member support.
Just one year ago the Society ran its operation on a UNISYS(R) A12
mainframe. Experts told them that it would take three years to convert
their mainframe-based application, ProMaps, to an open system. With
only seven months to go before their UNISYS software license expired --
and no desire to renew it -- the pressure was on. With the help of two
DIGITAL business partners, J. H. Leskin Associates, Inc. and Openware
Technologies, the ASCE designed the new solution and migrated the
Unisys application to the Alpha server solution, beating the clock.
ACSE's new 64-bit enterprise platform comprises DIGITAL UNIX and the
Oracle7 database on two AlphaServer 8200 systems in a clustered,
dual-processor configuration. The solution includes DIGITAL's
TruCluster technology for high availability, and VLM64 and StorageWorks
technologies for ultra high-speed access to data.
Says Joe Defiglia, ASCE's CIO and IT Director, "For the price of
renewing our mainframe software license, $1.3 million, we have an
entirely redundant data center based on the industry-leading 64-bit
DIGITAL UNIX platform. We gained a high-performance, scalable, and
virtually non-stop solution plus training, start-up support, and five
years of on-site warranty support from DIGITAL's Multivendor Customer
Services."
For more information about Unisys-to-Alpha server migration, contact
DIGITAL's Unisys Migration Manager, John McDonnell@PKO, DTN: 223-5622
or 508-493-5622.
BANK AUSTRIA LAUNCHES ELECTRONIC BANKING SERVICES
Uses Oracle Rdb, OpenVMS AlphaServer Systems, and RTR
When Bank Austria first decided to launch new electronic-banking
services, it clearly understood the underlying system requirements
needed to attract customers and keep them happy: excellent reliability
and availability, easy integration with customers' computer systems,
and a secure and positive environment for transaction completion.
Their choice? To configure several OpenVMS systems in a geographically
distributed cluster, and build custom electronic-banking applications
based on the Oracle Rdb database and the DIGITAL Reliable Transaction
Router(TM) (RTR). Through this system, the bank now offers services
that enable treasurers and CEOs to manage corporate finances -- and
individuals to manage personal finances -- from the convenience of
their workplace or home.
"The cluster provides the availability, security, and performance that
our customers expect, along with an easy growth path that enables us
to meet increased demand for services." says Johannes Koller, manager
of strategic planning for OpenVMS and NT systems at Bank Austria. "We
recently added two AlphaServer 8400 systems to the cluster to
accommodate our growing customer base, and to provide new database
capabilities."
The system supports more than 80,000 commercial and retail customers,
who each day perform over 10,000 transactions with a total value of
more than US$100 million.
For more information, contact Hans Flecker@AUI, DTN: 754-3810 or
43-1866300.
----------------
SOFTWARE AG NEWS
----------------
SOFTWARE AG AND SYBASE WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE DCOM-BASED SOLUTIONS
In November, SOFTWARE AG and Sybase(R) jointly announced their
intention to provide customers with the ability to develop and deploy
distributed enterprise solutions based on the Microsoft(R) Distributed
Component Object Model (DCOM). The solutions will span nomadic devices,
desktops, workstations, and mainframes within an enterprise business
environment.
The combination of SOFTWARE AG's expertise in mainframe-based
mission-critical systems, and Sybase's client/server expertise, can
provide customers with the full range of products needed to create and
maintain a component-based architecture that can truly span an entire
business.
The Sybase Powersoft(TM) family of development tools for client/server
and Internet/intranet components will provide the basis for customers
to rapidly develop enterprise-scale, DCOM-enabled applications.
SOFTWARE AG's DCOM-based technology will provide the mechanisms for
efficiently deploying application components and guaranteeing their
interoperability on any platform in the enterprise.
According to David Litwack, Sybase executive vice president of
products, "By making it possible for all elements in any given
information system to work together more efficiently and effectively,
Sybase Inc. and SOFTWARE AG can enable customers to conduct business
globally, 24 hours a day."
Said Romin Neumeister, member of the Executive Board at SOFTWARE AG,
responsible for sales and finance, "We are excited to work together
and help extend the Sybase Inc. platform to DCOM. The products that
come from our partnership will mean that all companies, large and
small, will be empowered to reach across the many environments in
complete, enterprise-wide systems."
Sybase and SOFTWARE AG's enterprise data management solutions span all
possible deployment platforms and scenarios from the nomadic user to
large-scale, distributed data warehousing implementations. The
companies possess expertise and product offerings in the areas of
middleware, connectivity, and data warehousing. Through this
expertise, the relationship can enable businesses and software vendors
to build robust, data-intensive systems for deployment in any
DCOM-based client/server and Internet/intranet environment.
SOFTWARE AG RUNS INTERNAL SAP R/3 SYSTEMS ON DIGITAL SYSTEMS
Uses DIGITAL UNIX on AlphaServer 2100 systems
In May 1996, SOFTWARE AG decided to move its internal legacy systems
to a SAP(R) R/3(TM) implementation serving SOFTWARE AG headquarters,
SAG Systemhaus GmbH (German subsidiary), and SQL Datenbank GmbH. The
application is fine tuned according to SOFTWARE AG's three global
lines of business: Enterprise Systems Software, Application
Warehouse, and Data Warehouse.
The company is installing the following SAP R/3 modules:
o FI - Financial
o CO - Controlling
o HR-PA - Human Resources
o SD - Sales and Distribution
The module HR will go "live" in January, with the other modules
following through the end of March.
The SAP R/3 application is installed on two AlphaServer 2100 systems,
each with 1 GB of main memory and running DIGITAL UNIX and the
ADABAS(R) D database. One server uses two CPUs, and the other server
three. The AlphaServer systems are installed for high availability with
DIGITAL DECsafe(TM) to minimize downtime. In total, the application is
using 70 GB of storage.
The installation supports up to 150 users of PC desktops with the
SAP-GUI front end. The PCs are connected through TCP/IP to the
AlphaServer systems.
EDP Manager Thomas Stutz has been very pleased with DIGITAL's support,
AlphaServer system performance, and the high availability capability
of DECsafe, and has offered to be a reference site for SAP R/3 with
ADABAS D.
For more information, contact Werner Feld@FRS, DTN: 861-3662 or 49
6103-383-662.
SOFTWARE AG ACTIVITIES
For more information about these recent activities, contact Chuck
Eichenlaub@PTO, 412-733-0159.
Seminars and Road Shows
In November and December, SOFTWARE AG (SAGNA) participated in DIGITAL
Solution Seminars held in the South, North, East, and Latin America
areas. (Solution Seminars are a new forum within the DIGITAL Americas
organization whose purpose is to train the entire Field in three-day
sessions every six months.)
Likewise, DIGITAL participated in SOFTWARE AG Datawarehouse Seminars,
and in the DCI Datawarehouse Show held in Phoenix in September. The
Phoenix event, as well as the earlier DCI show held in New York,
generated numerous leads, which DIGITAL is now tracking through
telemarketing activities.
iXpress
iXpress(TM), SOFTWARE AG's leadership Web-enablement application, has
been ported to Alpha NT and is available now. The port to DIGITAL
UNIX is scheduled for January and is the first port to any vendor's
UNIX software.
iXpress customer seminars were held in November and December in San
Paulo, Rio, Caracas, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver.
Fall DECUS
SOFTWARE AG participated at DIGITAL's Fall DECUS(TM) in Anaheim.
Seminars, which included "Enterprise Integration with SOFTWARE AG
Technology," "Using ENTIRE Broker ActiveX(TM) Control," and
"Effectively Planning for Client/Server Deployment," were very well
received.
VAR Mailing
A recruitment mailing has been sent to 1200 VARs across the U.S.
informing them about new opportunities involving SOFTWARE AG products
running on DIGITAL systems.
AlphaServer 2100 Demo Unit
SOFTWARE AG has purchased a large AlphaServer 2100 seed system to be
used as a demonstration unit in their Mexico City office.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CHARTS FUTURE COURSE WITH SOFTWARE AG
AND DIGITAL
What supports 1.7 million financial transactions each month, helps
employees pay vendors an average of $27 million a day, and is used
daily by approximately 2000 employees worldwide to process all
departmental accounting information?
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Departmental Accounting and
Financial Information System, DAFIS.
Originating from a single-agency accounting system in the mid-1980s,
DAFIS has been developed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
into a centralized financial network that today serves all nine
agencies of the Department of Transportation. Housed within the FAA
regional offices in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, today's DAFIS
windows-based client/server environment was built with the help of
SOFTWARE AG and DIGITAL.
Herculean programming effort
Developed over the past decade through the monumental efforts of a
team of almost 55 programmers and 30 accounting staff, DAFIS features
approximately 1600 separate accounting and financial modules that
serve the unique financial reporting requirements of each of the nine
agencies. There is also an extremely large database of financial
information. Anticipating cost savings on hardware and maintenance,
the Department of Transportation outsourced the data to a vendor but,
with costs steadily rising over time, they sought a more affordable
alternative.
Client/server environment
In late 1993, the team began to explore a client/server, windows-based
environment for DAFIS. Despite budget constraints, they were able to
win support and secure funds to buy the first of three DIGITAL
AlphaServer 2100 systems.
To aid them in converting the online portion of DAFIS from mainframe
COBOL to a client/server environment, the team selected SOFTWARE AG's
NATURAL(R) LightStorm to create the new client and server components,
and combined these components with Microsoft's NT-server software
packages. Even though the NATURAL software was new to the market at
the time, the team liked the versatility of its applications for
portability, scalability, and interoperability across multiple
platforms.
The team worked for a year to build a prototype. After a formal
presentation to representatives from the nine agencies, the team
received the go-ahead to transform DAFIS into a windows-based system.
All new software development took place on the previously purchased
AlphaServer 2100 system. A second AlphaServer 2100 system was
purchased to handle the Department's "GEM" system, a UNIX-based system
used to perform upfront critical accounting string edits prior to
interfacing with DAFIS. The team selected the DIGITAL UNIX operating
system and SOFTWARE AG's ADABAS C to manage the data. A third
AlphaServer system was purchased to run the department's Management
Information Reporting (MIR) system. In July, 1995 the team began
entering all new financial data into the MIR and are now undertaking
the task of loading all previous financial data stored on the
outsourced mainframe.
While the high-speed pace of their reprogramming has yet to slow, the
DAFIS team has already cut the amount of time spent on the outsourced
mainframe and speeded invoice processing and checking for their
employees.
Full implementation of the windows-based DAFIS is slated for 1999,
when all nine agencies are expected to be up and running in the new
environment.
For more information, contact Chuck Eichenlaub@PTO, 412-733-0159.
STATE OF WYOMING CHOOSES CRIS RUNNING ON ADABAS D
First Windows NT implementation
In a joint sales effort, SOFTWARE AG and DIGITAL have closed the first
Windows NT-based Client Rehabilitation Information System (CRIS)
project at the State of Wyoming Vocational Rehabilitation Department
in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The system is deployed in a true client/server
environment consisting of two DIGITAL Prioris(TM) Servers and
approximately 35 DIGITAL Celebris(TM) workstations. Previously CRIS
was available only on UNIX and mainframe platforms.
Developed by SOFTWARE AG, CRIS is a comprehensive client, case
management, and administration system that provides state vocational
rehabilitation agencies with instant, accurate access to business- and
client-critical information. It is a completely open solution, working
against any ODBC-compliant database and most popular operating system
platforms.
The State of Wyoming system uses the ADABAS D relational database.
ADABAS D was the Target Award Winner 1996 in "DIGITAL News and Review"
and received the National Institute of Standards and Technology
certification for SQL compliance on Windows NT. License revenue for
the sale was approximately $475K.
Additional CRIS projects are already underway. For more information,
contact Chuck Eichenlaub@PTO, 412-733-0159.
THIRD ALPHASERVER 8400 SYSTEM FOR BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL
Uses ADABAS C
Biblioteca Nacional, the National Library of Spain, has just ordered --
ahead of schedule -- their third AlphaServer 8400 system. Citing the
smoothness of their project implementation, the Library was able to
place the order earlier than originally planned. They are using the
AlphaServer systems to run ADABAS C. (Volume 2.4 of Database Marketing
Update reported on their second AlphaServer 8400 system purchase last
summer.)
For more information, contact Salvador Garcia@SQO, DTN: 874-4210 or
34-15834100.
-----------
SYBASE NEWS
-----------
SYBASE SYSTEM 11 NOW AVAILABLE ON ALPHA OPENVMS AND NT SYSTEMS
Sybase has announced the availability of System 11(R) on Alpha for
OpenVMS and Alpha for Windows NT systems. The OpenVMS version started
shipping in November, and the NT version in December. Sybase plans to
support pre-System 11 versions for 12 months following an
"end-of-life" announcement for those products.
For more information, contact Susan Peppercorn@PKO, DTN: 223-5847 or
508-493-5847.
SYBASE AND SOFTWARE AG WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE DCOM-BASED SOLUTIONS
Be sure to see the article in the "SOFTWARE AG" section that discusses
joint plans between Sybase and SOFTWARE AG for providing distributed
enterprise solutions based on Microsoft's Distributed Component Object
Model (DCOM).
TCI SUBSCRIBES TO SYBASE/DIGITAL DATA WAREHOUSING SOLUTION
With 20,000 employees and a $6.8 billion business, Denver-based
Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI) is the largest cable television
operator in the world. Approximately one in four U.S. homes subscribe
to the company's services, either directly or through one of TCI's
subsidiaries, which also provide satellite broadcasting, Internet,
telephone, and data access services for their customers.
TCI wanted to gather better data about their customers' needs to
improve services and to develop a stronger marketing program. Their
existing HP T500 systems were neither reliable enough nor powerful
enough to handle the data warehousing application, and provide
information to the business units in a timely fashion.
TCI turned to Sybase and DIGITAL for the solution. They chose a Sybase
database residing on two DIGITAL UNIX TruCluster AlphaServer 8400 5/350
systems. Their cluster has 6 GB of memory, six 350 MHz Alpha
processors, and 800 GB of StorageWorks disk arrays. TCI additionally
purchased three AlphaServer 2100 systems for miscellaneous tasks.
Competing against Hewlett-Packard(TM), Sun Microsystems, and SGI,
Sybase and DIGITAL won TCI's business largely due to the superior
price/performance and availability capabilities of the AlphaServer
systems and UNIX TruCluster technologies. Also key to the sale were
systems integration services provided by Sybase, and by DIGITAL's
Network and Systems Integration organization and DIGITAL's
Telecommunication Expertise Center.
The solution is valued at $2 million. For more information, contact
Doug Anderson@DVO, DTN: 553-3322 or 303-649-3322.
SYBASE CUSTOMER REFERENCES
Following are some of the many customers who depend on Sybase products
running on AlphaServer systems. For more information about these and
other customer applications, contact Dick Anderson@PKO, DTN: 223-6031
or 508-493-6031.
o Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, OR
o Consolidated Edison, Buchanan, NY
o Walt Disney Pictures & TV, Burbank, CA
o NutraSweet(R), Mt. Prospect, IL
o NY State Throughway Authority, Albany, NY
o Polaroid(TM), Needham, MA
o Shared Medical Systems, Malvern, PA
o Thrifty Foods, Saanichton, SC Canada
o University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
o U.S. Department of Commerce, Silver Spring, MD
---------
DMU QUERY
---------
A column featuring answers to readers' questions about database markets
and technology. Please send all questions to the editors.
The following questions and answers were taken from the Transaction
Processing Council (TPC) home page at http://www.tpc.org.
Q: What is the current revision of the TPC-D Benchmark Specification?
A: The current revision of the Specification is version 1.2, released
to the public on December 19, 1995.
The latest version of the TPC-D Benchmark Specification is available
on the TPC's World Wide Web server at:
http://www.tpc.org/dspec.html
Q: What does TPC-D model?
A: TPC-D models a decision support environment in which complex ad hoc
business-oriented queries are submitted against a large database. The
queries may access large portions of the database and typically
involve one or more of the following characteristics:
o Multi-table joins
o Extensive sorting
o Grouping and aggregation
o Sequential scans
The purpose of TPC-D is to assess cost/performance of a particular
system which supports this type of application. TPC-D can be scaled
such that the size of the database can be tailored to the processing
capacity of the system. The system should be available for queries on
a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per-week basis and support background
"trickle" or periodic batch updates to the database. In addition to a
set of read-only queries, the benchmark also includes two update
functions to model this database maintenance activity.
Q: What does TPC-D mean by "decision support"?
A: Decision Support is a term used to describe the capability of a
system to support the formulation of business decisions through
complex queries against a database. It can also specifically refer to
a database that is intended for this purpose, as opposed to one that
primarily supports on-line transaction processing operations.
Decision Support is different from OLTP. OLTP applications are
update-intensive and generally consist of shorter transactions that
access a small portion of a database, often through a primary key or
index. Decision support applications typically consist of long and
often complex read-only queries that access large portions of the
database.
Decision support databases are updated relatively infrequently, either
by periodic batch runs, or by background "trickle" update streams. The
database need not contain real-time or up-to-the-minute information,
since decision support applications tend to process large amounts of
data that usually would not be affected significantly by individual
transactions.
------
EVENTS
------
INTERNATIONAL SYBASE USER GROUP
Scheduled for May 5-9, San Diego, CA. For information, contact Steve
Downes at [email protected], DTN: 297-2441 or 508-467-2441.
SOFTWARE AG USER GROUP MEETING
Scheduled for June 1-3, Philadelphia, PA. For information, contact
Steve Downes at [email protected], DTN: 297-2441 or 508-467-2441.
SOFTWARE AG "NATURAL" TELEMARKETING SURVEY
Scheduled for Q3 in Europe. DIGITAL and SOFTWARE AG are planning a
joint telemarketing survey to NATURAL customers in Germany to assess
upgrade needs. For information, contact Susan Peppercorn@PKO, DTN:
223-5847 or 508-493-5847.
INFORMIX WW USER CONFERENCE
Scheduled for July 22-25, San Francisco, CA. For information, contact
Steve Downes at [email protected], DTN: 297-2441 or 508-467-2441.
ORACLE OPEN WORLD
Scheduled for September 21-26, Los Angeles, CA. For information,
contact Steve Downes at [email protected], DTN: 297-2441 or
508-467-2441.
ORACLE RDB7 SEMINAR SERIES
Beginning on February 4, "Know No Limits with Rdb7 and Alpha" seminars
are scheduled in various locations in the U.S. For more information,
contact Ron Matviya@TAY, DTN: 227-3548 or 508-952-3548.
For information about European seminars, contact Bob Pattison@REO, DTN:
830-4110 or 44 1734204110.
ORACLE NCA ROAD SHOW
Q3/Q4. Oracle is planning a multivendor road show focusing on the
their Network Computing Architecture (NCA). DIGITAL will participate.
Watch for details.
---------
RESOURCES
---------
LITERATURE AND SALES TOOLS
White Paper
"Spectra Logic, DIGITAL, Oracle, and Storage Technology Corporation
Perform Hot Oracle Backup at 505 GB/Hour" available at:
http://www.spectralogic.com
TPCD-D Benchmark Specification
The latest version is available at: http://www.tpc.org/dspec.html
WEB LOCATIONS
Informix
http://www.informix.com
http://www.illustra.com
Oracle
http://www.oracle.com
http://www.oracle.com/platforms/
SOFTWARE AG
http://www.softwareag.com
Germany: http://www.sag.de
Portugal: http://www.software-ag.pt
Spain: http://www.sag.es
Switzerland: http://www.softwareag.com/schweiz/ch-home.htm
U.S.: http://www.sagus.com
Canada: http://www.sagcanada.rdn.com
Sybase
http://www.sybase.com
Data Warehouse Home Page
http://www.partner.digital.com/sbu/esi/ (partner site)
--------
CONTACTS
--------
DMDG MARKETING
Steve Downes, Marketing Programs Manager
[email protected] DTN: 297-2441 or 508-467-2441
Mary Anne La Haise, Marketing Communications Manager
[email protected] DTN: 297-3398 or 508-467-3398
Fran Murar, Marketing Manager
[email protected] DTN: 297-5616 or 508-467-5616
DMDG OPERATIONS
Judie Beatrice, Business Practices Manager
[email protected] DTN: 297-3135 or 508-467-3135
Pat Bernard, Operations and Planning Manager
Pat Bernard@ZKO DTN: 381-1648 or 603-881-1648
Andy Schneider, Channels Development Manager
Andy Schneider@ZKO DTN: 381-1696 or 603-881-1696
TECHNICAL
Paul Krneta, Technical Director
Paul Krneta@PAG DTN: 543-3553 or 415-617-3553
Henry McCathern, Technical Consultant
Henry McCathern@PAG DTN: 543-3534 or 415-617-3534
INFORMIX
Cameron Crowe, Global Business Manager
Cameron Crowe@PAG DTN: 543-3530 or 415-617-3530
Bob Moorhead, Americas Account Manager
Bob Moorhead@WRO DTN: 521-6434 or 415-574-9017
Isabel Queiros, Europe ISV Account Manager
Isable Queiros@XIP DTN: 799-8051 or 351 13818000
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
Iqbal Marican@ZPO DTN: 675-4916 or 65 2904916
ORACLE
Anthony Williams, Americas Account Manager
Anthony Williams@WRO DTN: 521-6823 or 408-688-8175
Rhodri Jenkins, Europe ISV Account Manager
Rhodri Jenkins@REO DTN: 830-4305 or 44 1734 204305
Linda Eunson, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
Linda Eunson@ZPO DTN: 675-4964 or 65 2904964
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
Takaaki Hoshino@TKO DTN: 699-7336 or 81-3-5349-7336
Ken Lewis, Global Account Manager
[email protected]
SOFTWARE AG
Chuck Eichenlaub, Americas Account Manager
Chuck Eichenlaub@PTO 412-733-0159
Werner Feld, Global Business Manager
Werner Feld@FRS DTN: 861-3662 or 49 6103-383-662
Dianne Lau, Asia Account Manager
Dianne Lau@ZPO DTN: 675-7701 or 65 2907701
Kurt Roedszus, Technical Consultant
Kurt Roedszus@FRS DTN: 861-3809 or 49 61033830
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
Takaaki Hoshino@TKO DTN: 699-7336 or 81-3-5349-7336
Axel Wiegand, Germany Account Manager
Axel Wiegand@FRS DTN: 861-3328 or 49 61033830
SYBASE
Dick Anderson, Americas Business Manager
Dick Anderson@PKO DTN: 223-6031 or 508-493-6031
Jim Bolton, Global Business Manager
Jim Bolton@PAG DTN: 543-3649 or 415-617-3649
Colin Hutchins, European Account Manager
[email protected] DTN: 830-5978 or 44 1734868711
Uwe Krueger, Germany Account Manager
Uwe Krueger@FRS DTN: 861-3281 or 49 61033830
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
Iqbal Marican@ZPO DTN: 675-4916 or 65 2904916
COMMENTS?
Please let us know what you think about Database Marketing Update.
Send your comments, ideas, suggestions, and questions to:
Christine Macfarlane, Editor
VMSMKT::MACFARLANE
and
Mary Anne LaHaise, Executive Editor
[email protected]
DIGITAL believes the information in this publication is accurate as of
its publication date; such information is subject to change without
notice. DIGITAL is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. DIGITAL
conducts its business in a manner that conserves the environment.
Trademarks: AlphaServer, Celebris, DIGITAL, DEC, DECsafe, DECUS,
ObjectBroker, OpenVMS, Prioris, Reliable Transaction Router,
StorageWorks, TruCluster, VAX, and the DIGITAL logo are trademarks of
Digital Equipment Corporation. DIGITAL UNIX is an X/Open UNIX 95
branded product.
Informix and INFORMIX are registered trademarks of Informix Software,
Inc. Oracle7, Oracle Rdb, Oracle WebServer, Oracle Deveoper/2000,
Enterprise Backup Utility, and Network Computing Architecture are
trademarks and Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation.
iXpress is a trademark and ADABAS and NATURAL are registered
trademarks of SOFTWARE AG. Powersoft is a trademark and Sybase and
System 11 are registered trademarks of Sybase, Inc.
Alexandria is a trademark of SpectraLogic Corporation. NCR is a
registered trademark of NCR Corporation. Tandem and NonStop are
registered trademarks of Tandem Corporation. Intel and Pentium are
registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Hewlett-Packard and HP are
registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company. IBM and PowerPC are
registered trademarks and DB2 is a trademark of International Business
Machines. Windows, Windows NT, and ActiveX are trademarks and
Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. NutraSweet is a registered trademark of The NutraSweet
Company. Polaroid is a trademark of Polaroid Corporation. Ultra, Java,
and SPARC are trademarks and Sun is a registered trademark of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. R/3 is a trademark and SAP is a registered trademark
of SAP AG. StorageTek and RedWood are trademarks of Storage Technology
Corp. SAS is a registered trademark of SAS Institute, Inc. UNISYS is a
registered trademark of Unisys Corporation. Worldmark is a trademark
of NCR Corporation. Teradata is a registered trademark of NCR
International, Inc. tpmC, TPC-C and TCP-D are registered certification
marks of the Transaction Processing Council. UNIX is a registered
trademark in the US and other countries, licensed exclusively through
X/Open Company Ltd.
Database Marketing Update
|
| 441.5 | Vol 3.2 Mar/Apr 97 | 26002::HAGGERTY | Kevin, NSIS, Stow MA USA | Thu Apr 10 1997 04:12 | 1307 |
|
From: Mary Anne LaHaise, Marketing Communications Manager
[email protected], DTN 297-3398, 508-467-3398
******************************************************************
* DIGITAL *
* --------------- *
* DATABASE MARKETING UPDATE *
* --------------- *
* DMDG's Newsletter for Sales and Sales Support *
* Covering Partnerships with Informix, Microsoft, *
* Oracle, SOFTWARE AG, and Sybase *
* *
******************************************************************
MARCH/APRIL '97 DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY VOLUME 3.2
TABLE OF CONTENTS (this newsletter is 21 pages long)
o WHAT'S HOT!
- Japanese Department Store Puts Sybase IQ to Work
- New DMDG Home Page Now Available
- New ERP Technology Center Web Site
- DMDG Participates at Business Partner Executive Seminar
- INTERSOLV Ships DataDirect for DIGITAL Alpha Platform
o INFORMIX NEWS
- Informix Announces Record Q4 Revenue
o MICROSOFT NEWS
- The DIGITAL Data Mart Solution
- Microsoft/SAP/DIGITAL Sponsor Executive Seminar
- Microsoft SQL Server Hits Two Million-User Milestone
o ORACLE NEWS
- Oracle European OpenWorld 1997
- Oracle and Destination Alpha
- From 80 GB/Hour to 410 GB/Hour
- Oracle Parallel Server Included in TruCluster Production
Server Package
- Oracle Rdb Seminars
- Interested in Speaking at Oracle OpenWorld?
- PRECIOSA a.s. Turns to DIGITAL and Oracle for Processing Power
o SOFTWARE AG NEWS
- SOFTWARE AG and SAP Form Joint Consulting Company
- Field Test Sites Needed for ADABAS C on DIGITAL UNIX
- Winfried M. Blasius to Head Corporate Marketing
- SourcePoint V2.1.1 Now Available on DIGITAL UNIX V4.0
- Ad Campaign Extended
- SOFTWARE AG Products Shown at DB World and IT Expo '97
- ADABAS Solution Used by Merck
- State of Ohio Chooses CRIS
- ADIG Investment Moves to Alpha NT
- ADABAS D Installed YAMAHA Motor
o SYBASE NEWS
- DIGITAL to Exhibit at Sybase North American Conference
- DIGITAL Sponsors April/May Issue of "Sybase Connections"
- System 11 Update
- New Global Transportation Network Solution for U.S.
Department of Defense
- GTECH Counts on Sybase/DIGITAL Solution
o DMU QUERY
- Questions about DIGITAL UNIX
o EVENTS
o RESOURCES
o CONTACTS
-----------
WHAT'S HOT!
-----------
JAPANESE DEPARTMENT STORE PUTS SYBASE IQ TO WORK
First IQ sale in Asia
Marui Imai, a major Japanese department store with over US$1 billion in
annual sales, has just selected Sybase IQ running on a DIGITAL UNIX
AlphaServer 8200 system to help them implement their new data mart, a
critical component of their micro-marketing strategy. The seven-store
chain, founded in 1872, is replacing its older system, which was too
slow, even for a single user, and too expensive to run. Using IQ, Marui
Imai managers will now be able to analyze point of sale and customer
data in ways not possible before.
Using a customized GUI front end running on Microsoft Windows 95 client
systems, managers can focus on receiving data, sales, budget,
merchandise tracking, and customer information.
This new IQ system provides the ability for several managers to run
concurrent fixed formed unique analysis queries at high speed, and to
do ad hoc queries against in-depth levels of information, getting the
data they need when they want it. It means they can capitalize on the
who, when, where, and what of customer buying patterns, and target
their marketing very specifically.
Overall, the new DIGITAL AlphaServer system/Sybase IQ data mart is
going to work to enable managers at Marui Imai to make flexible,
timely, business-actionable decisions, giving them an important edge
against their competition.
For more information, contact Kazuhiko Hinata at:
[email protected]
NEW DMDG HOME PAGE NOW AVAILABLE
Be sure to visit the new Database Market Development Group home page
located at:
http://www-dmdg.pa.dec.com
The page has been redesigned to provide timely information about DMDG
and our database partners. It is an excellent resource for current
news and partner updates.
NEW ERP TECHNOLOGY CENTER WEB SITE
How do you size DIGITAL AlphaServer systems for Enterprise
Applications? Do you need help implementing a highly available
Enterprise Application? Do you have a customer who wants to understand
the DIGITAL relationship with a particular Business Application
provider?
Check out the ERP Technology Center Web Site, now open for business at:
http://www-ase.zko.dec.com/
The site provides valuable information and resources for strategic
Business Applications partners:
o Baan
o JD Edwards
o Oracle Applications
o PeopleSoft
o SAP
o SAS Institute
o SSA
Send your comments through the Web site FEEDBACK facility.
DMDG PARTICIPATES AT BUSINESS PARTNER EXECUTIVE SEMINAR
The Database Market Development Group (DMDG) participated at the 18th
annual DIGITAL Business Partner Executive Seminar held in February in
Orlando, Florida.
DMDG vice president Jim O'Gara, supported by Richard French, vice
president of Oracle's Enterprise Platforms Division, and David
Bucknam, director of Oracle's DIGITAL Global Alliance, presented to a
standing room only audience at the Oracle Alliance Forum breakout
session. This session focused on the benefits partners can receive
from the comprehensive relationship built between Oracle and DIGITAL
over the past 20 years. The audience learned how
o Oracle's complementary database, tools, and application software
are highly tuned to yield industry-leading price/performance in
DIGITAL UNIX, Windows NT, and DIGITAL OpenVMS markets
o DIGITAL and Oracle market development programs can help them achieve
their business goals
DMDG also staffed a kiosk in the Business Connections Expo. Here
partners learned about the world-class solutions offered by Informix,
Microsoft, Oracle, SOFTWARE AG, and Sybase on DIGITAL AlphaServer
platforms. Oracle demonstrations on Alpha were presented in the Data
Warehousing and High Performance Computing kiosks.
For more information, contact Steve Downes at:
[email protected]
DTN: 297-2441 or 508-467-2441
INTERSOLV SHIPS DATADIRECT FOR DIGITAL ALPHA PLATFORM
INTERSOLV has announced shipment of its DataDirect middleware
technology for DIGITAL's high-performance Alpha workstations. The
DataDirect ODBC Drivers enable DIGITAL Alpha platform developers to
rapidly develop and deploy ODBC-compliant applications, providing
fast, standards-based data connectivity to business information across
the enterprise.
Previously, customers running ODBC-enabled applications on DIGITAL
Alpha NT workstations had no common method for accessing relational
databases such as Oracle and Informix. Now, with DataDirect ODBC
Drivers for Alpha NT, customers can access Oracle, Informix, Sybase,
and Microsoft SQL Server from any ODBC-enabled DIGITAL Alpha NT client
application.
INTERSOLV DataDirect simplifies data access in complex environments by
providing high performance, standards-based data connectivity for the
client, server, or Web, scalable from small projects to the enterprise
level. Organizations achieve complete flexibility in solving data
connectivity issues with DataDirect's comprehensive support for such
industry standards as ODBC, JDBC, ActiveX, and OLE DB.
The DataDirect Windows NT ODBC Drivers for DIGITAL's family of Alpha
workstations are available immediately for $99. For more information,
see the INTERSOLV Web site at:
http://www.intersolv.com
or contact Ray Mascola at:
[email protected]
DTN: 297-1313 or 508-467-1313
***************************************************************
* Please remember not to use the sales wins described in this *
* newsletter without first contacting the account manager. *
***************************************************************
-------------
INFORMIX NEWS
-------------
INFORMIX ANNOUNCES RECORD Q4 REVENUE
Year End Database License Revenues Increase 48% Over 1995
MENLO PARK, CA (February 4, 1997) - Informix Corporation today
announced results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December
31, 1996. Results for the year earlier periods (the quarter and year
ended December 31, 1995) have been restated to reflect the
acquisitions of Stanford Technology Group in November, 1995, and
Illustra Information Technologies, Inc., in February, 1996. The
acquisitions have been accounted for as poolings of interest.
"1996 was a good year, with database license revenues growing 48% over
1995. We continue to gain market share in our core database business,"
said Informix CEO Phil White. "The acquisition of Illustra and the
on-schedule integration and shipment of INFORMIX-Universal Server
demonstrate that Informix is driving the database market agenda. In
order to continue the database growth, we have substantially invested
in R&D and service in 1996 and will continue to build our Company in
sales and marketing in 1997."
Total revenue in the fourth quarter, ending December 31, 1996, was
$270,828,000, an increase of 23% over 1995. For the full year ending
December 31, 1996, total revenue increased by 32% to $939,311,000.
To see the complete report, visit Press Releases through the "News
Room" button found on the Informix home page at:
http://www.informix.com
--------------
MICROSOFT NEWS
--------------
THE DIGITAL DATA MART SOLUTION
For Windows NT Server-Based Platforms
DIGITAL now offers DIGITAL Data Mart, a comprehensive service package
containing software licenses and systems integration services that
provide customers with a complete solution for designing and deploying
data marts running on Windows NT Server-based platforms.
DIGITAL has joined with Business Objects, Informatica Corp., and
Microsoft to provide all the software and consulting services needed
to design, install, test, and manage this total data mart solution.
DIGITAL Data Mart is the first complete service in the industry to
focus on delivering a data mart solution based on Microsoft SQL Server
on Windows NT.
A seminar series highlighting how the DIGITAL Data Mart can help
customers use corporate information to maximize revenues and minimize
expenses is planned for major U.S. cities in April and May.
Details about the DIGITAL Data Mart solution, including sales
presentations, sales guide, and a brochure, are available at:
http://csse.mro.dec.com/silib/pc/infoman/ddm/ddm.html
MICROSOFT/SAP/DIGITAL SPONSOR EXECUTIVE SEMINAR
"Simplifying Your Enterprise Application Implementation with SAP,
Windows NT, and DIGITAL"
Invite customers and potential customers to join Microsoft, SAP, and
DIGITAL for an informative, half-day, executive briefing on the
high-availability R/3 and Windows NT solution that works with DIGITAL
systems to effectively implement SAP programs. Together, the three
companies will offer a perspective on how they combine their strengths
to provide the information control necessary to accelerate the
implementation of Enterprise Business Software (ERP).
This step-by-step briefing will show customers how to profit from the
experiences of
o SAP's implementation partners
o More that 1,200 R/3 installations on DIGITAL's servers
o Over four years of performance evaluations and characterization
efforts
Seminars will be held throughout March and early April in the following
cities: Atlanta, Dallas, Cleveland, Irvine, CA, Foster City, Seattle,
Phoenix, and Denver.
For registration and location details, call 800-372-1998.
MICROSOFT SQL SERVER HITS TWO MILLION-USER MILESTONE
Exceptional Growth Rate Continues at More Than 100 Percent
In December 1996 Microsoft reported that sales of Microsoft SQL Server
grew over 100 percent in fiscal year 1996, bringing the total number
of users to more than two million and making Microsoft SQL Server the
industry's fastest-growing database. According to International Data
Corp., Microsoft SQL Server led in sales for databases running on the
Windows NT Server network operating system, with over 57 percent of
unit volume for 1995.
Developer interest has fueled sales growth as well. In a recent survey
by "VARBusiness" magazine, VARs named Microsoft SQL Server the
best-selling database for the second year in a row.
The growth rate of Microsoft SQL Server is being driven by customer
demand for line-of-business applications, data warehousing solutions,
and applications for the Internet and corporate intranets. A recent
survey of Microsoft SQL Server customers found that more than 50
percent are using the product for data warehousing or other
query-intensive applications.
For the full text of the press release, see the Press section of the
Microsoft home page at:
http://www.microsoft.com
-----------
ORACLE NEWS
-----------
ORACLE EUROPEAN OPENWORLD 1997
DIGITAL to be Platinum Sponsor
Wednesday, April 9 will be "DIGITAL Day at Oracle OpenWorld" in Vienna,
Austria, with Mike Gallup, vice president of worldwide marketing,
presenting the keynote speech at the morning's general session.
Focusing on the explosion of corporate databases and their increasing
importance, he will discuss VLM64 (64-bit very large memory) technology
available today from DIGITAL and Oracle and how companies are using
this technology today to enable new applications in areas ranging from
data warehousing to the Internet.
Breakout Sessions
Be sure to bring your customers to the DIGITAL breakout sessions at
OpenWorld to hear senior-level experts speaking on topics such as
o Proven Performance Leadership with Alpha and 64-bit Technology
o OpenVMS - With an Affinity Towards the 21st Century
o Alpha NT and Integrating the Enterprise
o DIGITAL and Oracle Applications - Industry-leading Enterprise
Computing Solutions
o Scalable Data Warehousing Solutions from the Leaders: DIGITAL
and Oracle
For more information, contact Rhodri Jenkins at:
[email protected]
DTN:830-4305 or 44 1734 204305
ORACLE AND DESTINATION ALPHA
Beginning immediately in Europe, Oracle has committed support in
closing Destination Alpha opportunities where an Oracle database is
involved.
If you know of a Destination Alpha opportunity involving an Oracle
database and require help from Oracle, contact Bob Pattison at:
[email protected]
DTN 830-4110 or 44 1734204110
FROM 80 GB/HOUR TO 410 GB/HOUR
DIGITAL "Turbocharges" SAP Backup of Oracle Database
A joint effort among DIGITAL DMDG/DBTC in Palo Alto, CA; Oracle;
DIGITAL SAP Center in Walldorf; and Open Vision Technologies has
achieved an outstanding 410 GB/hour backup rate of a live SAP/Oracle
database. Tests were conducted using a 201 GB database on a DIGITAL
AlphaServer 8000 series system running DIGITAL UNIX 4.0B.
This result shows the capability of the DIGITAL AlphaServer system to
handle all aspects of very large databases (VLDBs), in both online
transaction processing and data warehousing environments. It compares
well with previous backup/restore results of 504 GB/hour using an
8-CPU DIGITAL AlphaServer 8400 system and an Oracle7.2 database (see
the November/December '96 issue of "Database Marketing Update").
Using SAP and the 201GB Oracle database (file system-based, not raw
partitions) and 50 sales and distribution (SD) users running with a
response time of 1.05 seconds (well below the SD-specified two
seconds), the tests have not only created a realistic customer
situation, but have also outperformed the former SAP "backup/restore
ceiling" of 80 GB/hour by more than five times (500%).
SAP is in the process of defining the Backup and Restore Benchmark;
DIGITAL is the first vendor to deliver the results. DIGITAL's key
competitors in the SAP market (HP and IBM) cannot deliver a similar
solution.
A press release and white paper with configuration information and
tuning guidelines will be available shortly at the following Web
sites:
http://www-dmdg.pa.dec.com
http://www.ov.com
For more information, contact Paul Krneta at:
[email protected]
DTN 543-3553 or 49 8995910
ORACLE PARALLEL SERVER INCLUDED IN TRUCLUSTER PRODUCTION SERVER
PACKAGE
DIGITAL's Value-added Implementation Services (VIS) has developed a set
of prepackaged, highly integrated clusters, preconfigured to perform
as available and production database servers. Clusters can be built
from DIGITAL AlphaServer 100A, 4100, and 8400 systems. Each is
completely integrated and tested at the factory, to ensure application
deployment readiness from day one.
The TruCluster Production Server supports Oracle's Parallel Server. It
distributes database processing throughout the cluster, while giving
all users concurrent database access. In addition to failover
capability, this cluster leverages the application scalability over
DIGITAL Memory Channel interconnect. Overall, it provides more data
for more users, faster and more efficiently.
For more information on DIGITAL TruCluster Solutions and AlphaServer
systems, visit the following Web sites:
http://www.unix.digital.com/cluster
http://www.digital.com/info/alphaserver
ORACLE RDB SEMINARS
Joint marketing activities with Oracle Rdb in Europe are resulting in a
number of major wins and sales opportunities. Five major sales have
been closed in Finland, and major opportunities are also being worked
in Israel, the Netherlands, Germany, UK, Greece, and Hungary.
The Americas' "Know No Limits with Rdb and Oracle" seminars ran through
March 19th. Cosponsored by DIGITAL and Oracle, the seminars addressed
the benefits of moving to DIGITAL Alpha and Oracle Rdb7 with DIGITAL
OpenVMS. Oracle discussed future versions of Oracle Rdb.
For more details, visit:
http://www.openvms.digital.com/openvms/seminars/index.html
or contact Ron Matviya at:
[email protected]
DTN: 227-3548 or 508-952-3548
or Susan Peppercorn at:
[email protected]
DTN: 223-5847 or 508-493-5847
INTERESTED IN SPEAKING AT ORACLE OPENWORLD?
We invite you to submit a paper for presentation and publication at
Oracle OpenWorld to be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from
September 21 - 26.
For more information, contact Steve Downes at:
[email protected]
DTN: 297-2441 or 508-467-2441
PRECIOSA A.S. TURNS TO DIGITAL AND ORACLE FOR PROCESSING POWER
PRECIOSA, the second largest costume jewelry manufacturer in the world,
recently closed a $3.9 million contract with DIGITAL Czech Republic.
The contract calls for DIGITAL to deliver the hardware platform, the
WAN infrastructure, and a wide set of services. DIGITAL will draw from
the joint skills of its subcontractor, Internet CZ (Czech
representative of EUnet).
The project is planned for 1,200 SAP R/3 users. The information system
will be built on DIGITAL AlphaServer systems running DIGITAL UNIX and
the Oracle database. The PRECIOSA SAP R/3 application will be the
second largest R/3 installation in the Czech Republic (and the largest
in the manufacturing segment) and, as such, is delivered and
controlled directly by SAP Czech Republic.
DIGITAL won the contract against competition from IBM and HP.
For more information, contact Lenka Kamenicka at:
[email protected]
DTN: 837-0239 or 42 261108111
or Daniel Dusek at:
[email protected]
DTN: 837-0316 or 42 261108111
----------------
SOFTWARE AG NEWS
----------------
SOFTWARE AG AND SAP FORM JOINT CONSULTING COMPANY
On February 10, 1997, SOFTWARE AG and SAP announced the founding of SAP
Systems Integration (SAP-SI), a new consulting company that will focus
on the SAP R/3 market. The company will offer technology consulting,
implementation work, and training in the SAP R/3 market place, as well
as data warehousing solutions, document management, and ABAP/4
application development.
SAP-SI will become operational in April, 1997 with 150 employees
located in Alsbach (the company's headquarters), Duesseldorf, and
Muenchen.
The new company has been formed with 60% equity held by SAP and 40% by
SOFTWARE AG. It will be managed by Mr. Hartmut Engel from SAP, and Mr.
Peter Ohl from SOFTWARE AG.
FIELD TEST SITES NEEDED FOR ADABAS C ON DIGITAL UNIX
SOFTWARE AG is seeking field test sites for their newly completed
SMP-version of ADABAS C on DIGITAL UNIX. If you know of interested
customers, please contact Kurt Roedszus at:
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3809 or 49 61033830
or Werner Feld at:
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3662 or 49 6103-383-662
WINFRIED M. BLASIUS TO HEAD CORPORATE MARKETING
Effective March 1, 1997, Winfried M. Blasius will head SOFTWARE AG's
Corporate Marketing organization. Blasius has worked in the computer
industry since 1978 in a variety of integration, sales, and marketing
jobs with such companies as Kienzle Datensysteme and the
Rhein-Main-Rechenzentrum, a large computer service center in
Frankfurt. Most recently he worked as Marketing Manager of
Linotype-Hell.
Blasius will report to Romin Neumeister, SOFTWARE AG executive board
member responsible for sales and marketing.
SOURCEPOINT V2.1.1 NOW AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL UNIX V4.0
SOFTWARE AG has released SourcePoint V2.1.1 (Agent) and it's
subproduct, Natural Extract Service V2.1.1, on DIGITAL UNIX V4.0. The
SourcePoint package consists of the UNIX Agent, the Administration
Interface on PC, and an Extraction Server component.
SourcePoint is an automated data warehouse manager that significantly
reduces the effort of identifying, coordinating, and scheduling the
extraction, transformation, transportation, and loading of data into a
data warehouse. It is server-based and independent of protocol,
platform, and target DBMS. It supports all major databases, including
ADABAS D, Informix, Sybase, and Oracle. For more information, contact
Werner Feld at:
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3662 or 49 6103 383-662
AD CAMPAIGN EXTENDED
SOFTWARE AG's advertising campaign "You won't just go faster. You'll go
faster all the time." has been extended to Mexico and Germany.
Beginning in March and April 1997, the ad will be placed in business
journals such as "Manager Magazin," and will highlight the advantage of
VLM and 64-bit technology for decision support and datawarehousing.
The ad will also be placed in the English, German, Spanish, and French
editions of the "Software Report," a SOFTWARE AG periodical for its
installed base.
SOFTWARE AG PRODUCTS SHOWN AT DB WORLD AND IT EXPO '97
SOFTWARE AG and DIGITAL are jointly funding DB World and IT Expo '97,
where SOFTWARE AG products will be shown on two workstations running
Windows NT and DIGITAL UNIX.
DB World was held from March 19 - 20, in London, England; IT Expo '97
will be held from June 24 - 26 at NEC, Birmingham, England. For more
information, contact Martin Wilson at:
[email protected]
DTN: 830-2030 or 44 1256370000
ADABAS SOLUTION USED BY MERCK
Merck KGaA, a chemical and pharmaceutical company in Darmstadt,
Germany, is currently expanding its SA-7 laboratory information and
management system originally developed in 1993. The group is using
NATURAL LightStorm and ADABAS C running on a DIGITAL AlphaServer 2100
system with DIGITAL OpenVMS, and is adding a user-friendly GUI to the
SA-7 system.
Merck's SA-7 system runs as a centralized database and application
server. The clients are PCs running a Windows 3.11 or Windows NT user
interface.
Merck uses ADABAS to manage the standards and individual testing
parameters of products subject to testing, and to coordinate some 50
decentralized laboratories that execute subtests on submission of a
test order. The system currently operates with 8,000 detailed product
standards, with the number expected to increase to 15,000 by 1997. Two
hundred and fifty employees process up to 150 test orders daily.
The SA-7 system collects and processes the results from the
laboratories and links the results via Ethernet-DECnet and ENTIRE
NET-WORK to the DIGITAL AlphaServer system, where they are recorded
and further processed. The system handles up to 5 GB of master and
transaction data a year, with an average response time of less than one
second for the most complex queries.
The SA-7 system is also linked to a SAP R/2 system running on a
mainframe where inspection lot orders can be directly accessed from
commercial SAP standard software. Individual test data is moved
automatically to SAP's material and inventory accounting system, and
analysis costs are also automatically transferred to the SAP system.
The end products of a testing order, the analysis certificates that
serve as Merck's quality guarantee, are automatically generated after
the order is completed, and filed in the central certification
logistics systems with the ENTIRE NET-WORK. Certificates that once
took up to a day to generate are now accessed in minutes.
The SA-7 system has been deployed at Merck by DIGITAL reseller Concat
GmbH, Seeheim-Jugenheim. It can easily be adapted to other customer
requirements and used on DIGITAL OpenVMS, DIGITAL UNIX, and Windows NT
systems. For more information, contact Rainer Califice at:
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3332 or 49 61033830
For a Merck Case Report prepared by SOFTWARE AG, available in either
hard copy format or as a PDF file, contact Werner Feld at:
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3662 or 49 6103-383-662
Case Reports are also available on the following two customer
applications previously summarized in "Database Marketing Update:"
o PVT, Czech Securities Exchange. A mission-critical application that
handles the buying and selling of securities. The application runs
on a DIGITAL AlphaServer 8400 5/350 system with DIGITAL OpenVMS;
the installation represents the largest FDDI OpenVMS cluster in
Central-Eastern Europe. (See the November/December '96 issue of
"Database Marketing Update.")
o FAA Federal Aviation Administration: DAFIS. The Departmental
Accounting and Financial Information System has successfully been
converted from a COBOL-based mainframe environment to a client-server
based environment with NATURAL Lightstorm and ADABAS C running on a
DIGITAL AlphaServer system and DIGITAL UNIX. (See the January/
February '97 issue of "Database Marketing Update.")
STATE OF OHIO CHOOSES CRIS
SOFTWARE AG and DIGITAL have closed another Client Rehabilitation
Information System (CRIS) project, this time for the State of Ohio,
where the CRIS system is deployed in a client/server environment
consisting of a DIGITAL AlphaServer 8400 system running DIGITAL UNIX
and connecting approximately 300 PCs. The State of Ohio's plans call
for purchasing two AlphaServer 4100 systems in mid '97 and replacing
the existing 300 PCs at a later time.
The CRIS application is written in SOFTWARE AG's 4GL NATURAL
LightStorm, and uses ENTIRE BROKER as middleware and ESPERANT as the
graphical query and reporting tool. The application uses an Oracle
database.
DIGITAL's NSIS organization was the prime contractor. The NSIS portion
of the order is worth $2.3 million, of which $1.5 million is
subcontracted to SOFTWARE AG. License revenue was just over $1
million, with Professional Services of about $500 thousand. The State
of Ohio has budgeted an additional $1.2 million for NSIS work in July.
CRIS was originally developed for the State of Washington, and is now
available on DIGITAL UNIX and Windows NT platforms. (See the
January/February '97 issue of "Database Marketing Update" for
information about the first NT implementation of CRIS, purchased by
the State of Wyoming.)
For more information, contact Chuck Eichenlaub at:
[email protected]
412-733-0159
ADIG INVESTMENT MOVES TO ALPHA NT
ADIG Investment, an investment house owned jointly by Commerzbank and
Bayerische Vereinsbank, has made the first move to a DIGITAL
AlphaServer 4100 system running Windows NT.
Using mainframes running the VSE operating system, SOFTWARE AG's 4GL
NATURAL, and the ADABAS C database, ADIG decided to move to an open
system environment with Windows NT or UNIX as the platform of choice
for their SOFTWARE AG products.
The company selected DIGITAL and Windows NT, in competition with the
UNIX and NT approaches proposed by Compaq, IBM, HP, and SUN. The
DIGITAL AlphaServer 4100 system represents ADIG's first step in
building a new client/server environment and will serve as the
development system for their new applications.
Coming months will show how well Windows NT and AlphaServer systems can
provide the robust and stable environment necessary for building
enterprise-wide applications able to replace installed mainframes.
For more information, contact Axel Wiegand at:
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3328 or 49 61033830
ADABAS D INSTALLED AT YAMAHA MOTOR
YAMAHA Motor Co. Ltd. is one of the world's best known manufacturers
and sellers of motorcycles and engines. Headquartered in Japan, the
company last year had consolidated sales of 733.8 billion yen (US$ 6
billion).
YAMAHA's production system consists of: a database server with two
DIGITAL AlphaServer 8400 5/300 systems, 1 GB memory, and a database of
approximately 80 GB; and an application server with one DIGITAL
AlphaStation 5/300 system and one DEC3900 system, each with 512 MB of
memory.
Their development system consists of: a database server with two
DIGITAL AlphaServer 2100 4/200 systems, 512 GB memory, and a database
of approximately 10 GB; and an application server with one DEC3700
machine with 256 MB memory. YAMAHA has used the SAP R/3 application
extensively.
After feasibility studies and trial tests were completed in the last
quarter of 1996, YAMAHA decided to migrate their database to ADABAS D.
They chose ADABAS because of the increased performance gains resulting
from ADABAS's support of full 64-bit functionality. The actual
migration required less than two weeks and was completed with no
problems.
For more information, contact Werner Feld at:
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3662 or 49 6103 383-662
-----------
SYBASE NEWS
-----------
DIGITAL TO EXHIBIT AT SYBASE NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE
This year's annual International Sybase User Group North American
Conference (ISUG) is being held from April 6 - 10, in the Orange
County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. ISUG will feature
General Sessions, Partner Sessions, User Group Meetings, and breakouts.
Approximately 200 exhibitors and 3,000 software professionals are
expected to participate.
DIGITAL's theme is "Information Access beyond the Year 2000." The main
booth attraction will be an informational theater featuring a large
screen display. Presentations will focus on:
o Information Access with Sybase IQ
o Continuous Computing/High Availability
o VLM/VLDB
o Internet/Intranet
Theater presentations will promote awareness and understanding of
DIGITAL/Sybase solutions. They will be reinforced by endorsements from
several VLDB customers who will attest to the viability of
DIGITAL/Sybase platforms, both in the exhibit booth and in sessions.
There will be an actual demonstration of DIGITAL AlphaServer/Windows NT
cluster fail-over capabilities.
In addition, there will be daily drawings in conjunction with a partner
passport contest.
For more information, contact Steve Downes at:
[email protected]
DTN: 297-2441 or 508-467-2441
DIGITAL SPONSORS APRIL/MAY ISSUE OF "SYBASE CONNECTIONS"
DIGITAL is sponsoring the April/May edition of "Sybase Connections,"
the company's bimonthly magazine distributed to over 10,000 technical
and business management contacts at Sybase partner companies, and
Sybase executives, sales representatives and staff. DIGITAL's
contribution to this issue includes an executive perspective by DIGITAL
vice president Jim O'Gara, a product story, and a number of
DIGITAL/Sybase joint success stories.
The April/May issue will also be distributed at the Sybase User Group
North American Conference, held from April 6 - 10 in Orlando, Florida.
Reprints are available from LOS (part number EC-Y7746-53).
SYSTEM 11 UPDATE
System 11 is now available on DIGITAL OpenVMS for Alpha systems and on
Alpha NT systems.
For technical questions about System 11 on DIGITAL OpenVMS for Alpha
systems, contact Steve Zalewski at:
[email protected]
For technical questions about System 11 on Alpha NT systems, contact
Hadia Ghandour at:
[email protected]
DTN 543-3486 or 415-617-3486
NEW GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK SOLUTION FOR U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE
DIGITAL and Sybase Support Lockheed-Martin Solution
The problems of coordinating and tracking massive troop, supply, and
weapons movement experienced during the Gulf War led the U.S.
Department of Defense (DoD) to launch a new offensive designed to
streamline, expedite, and control huge amounts of transportation
information required for peacetime, contingency, and wartime efforts.
Designing the Global Transportation Network (GTN) to integrate data
captured by the many disparate DoD systems involved in this joint
program required a hard look into existing technologies at the
systems, database, application, and network levels. Challenged by the
massive amounts of information required to be stored in the proposed
GTN data warehouse and the exceptionally large number of estimated
transactions per day, Lockheed-Martin, the architect of the new
system, needed to assemble a high-performance, integrated solution to
ensure this program's success.
The GTN Project, with Lockheed-Martin as prime contractor, brought
together some of the most powerful players in the data warehousing
arena:
o Sybase, known for its industry-leadership middleware, selected
because it could provide software that met the DoD's critical
specification for pulling together terabytes of data from
heterogeneous sources
o DIGITAL, chosen for its high-performance AlphaServer systems
featuring VLM64 (64-bit very large memory) technology
During the acceptance test, the DIGITAL/Sybase combination exceeded the
minimum acceptance criteria established by the DoD, executing at a
rate of over 3 million transactions per day. The new GTN is now
receiving and storing data from many DoD commands and agencies.
Sybase is optimized to leverage DIGITAL AlphaServer systems' 64-bit
capabilities. Together they deliver outstanding OLTP performance on
the solutions' eight AlphaServer 8400 systems and eight AlphaServer
2100 systems. And the DIGITAL and Sybase combination satisfies
sensitive security issues by providing high-speed classified and
unclassified access to GTN information from locations around the
world, 24 hours per day, seven days per week, even under peak load
conditions.
Thanks to the DIGITAL and Sybase partnership, the solution developed by
Lockheed-Martin has given the DoD an improved ability to manage the
Defense Transportation System - helping put supplies, people, and
resources where they need to be when they need to be there.
For more information, contact Karla Kutz at:
[email protected]
DTN: 445-6343 or 314-991-6343
GTECH COUNTS ON SYBASE/DIGITAL SOLUTION
From Massachusetts to Malaysia, from Denmark to Argentina, GTECH is the
choice for popular gaming systems and their facilities management. In
fact, of the 100 lotteries in countries on every continent, GTECH
solutions support 79.
GTECH has standardized on the DIGITAL/Sybase platform as part of a very
complex solution set. In 1996 alone this represents the deployment of
over 120 DIGITAL AlphaServer 2100 systems running the Sybase database,
along with DIGITAL AlphaStation workstations for development and
management systems.
Recently, GTECH's subsidiary, RACIMEC, signed a contract to provide
online lottery services and technology to CAIXA, Latin America's
largest financial institution, which runs Brazil's National Lottery.
The lottery will become one of the world's largest online systems.
Having had outstanding success with the DIGITAL AlphaServer 2100
system, GTECH confidently chose AlphaServer 8400 systems and
departmental level AlphaServer 4100 systems with Sybase SQL Server 11
and Open Server CONNECTIONS software as the best solution to run the
Brazil National Lottery.
A key strength of the DIGITAL/ Sybase solution is the interoperability
of the Open Server product, enabling the relational database to pull
foreign, non-relational data from the online transaction processing
systems. This is one of Sybase's strong suits, as a leader in
middleware. And together DIGITAL and Sybase deliver leadership
transactions per minute benchmarks and outstanding price/performance.
Besides gaming and entertainment, GTECH's automation expertise with
DIGITAL/Sybase solutions supports the distribution of public
assistance funds, online fish and wildlife licensing systems, and many
government services.
For more information, contact Dave Johnson at:
[email protected]
DTN: 238-4590 or 617-676-6590
---------
DMU QUERY
---------
A column featuring answers to readers' questions about database markets
and technology. Please send all questions to the editors.
The following questions and answers were drawn from a report prepared
by Donald Z. Harbert, UNIX Business Segment, in response to a Gartner
Group report critical of DIGITAL UNIX. For more information about
DIGITAL UNIX, see the DIGITAL UNIX home page at:
http://www.unix.digital.com/index.html
Q: What is the expected market growth for UNIX systems?
A: The market for UNIX Systems worldwide continues to grow at a healthy
pace of 20% per year. With the total UNIX market estimated at $30-35
billion per year, a 20% growth in a market which leverages high margin
sales of software, applications, consulting, and services is a market
where DIGITAL currently ranks #4. DIGITAL UNIX is recognized as one of
the three strategic areas of growth for the company.
Q: What percentage of sales does DIGITAL UNIX account for?
A: Currently DIGITAL UNIX accounts for
- 50% of the Alpha workstation sales
- 50% of Alpha server sales
- 80% of Alpha Internet Sales
- 85% of Alpha sales to government agencies
- 90% of DIGITAL's new cluster sales
- 90% of DIGITAL's new OLTP sales
- 90% of DIGITAL's new sales to telecom accounts
- 90% of DIGITAL's new sales involving VLM/VLDB and data warehousing
DIGITAL has substantially more than 100,000 DIGITAL UNIX systems
installed, and over 105,000 ULTRIX systems installed.
Q: What other vendors offer a 64-bit UNIX operating system?
A: Although all other major UNIX vendors are working on 64-bit UNIX
operating systems and hardware, only DIGITAL offers a complete 64-bit
solution.
In addition, when and if HP, IBM, and SUN deliver complete 64-bit UNIX
solutions, they will be based on LP64 programming practices, insuring
that 64-bit applications will be cross-platform compatible. Since
DIGITAL already programs to LP64 standards, users can be assured
DIGITAL UNIX is not another proprietary version of UNIX.
We expect that DIGITAL UNIX will have had five years of production
systems, enterprise-class experience and maturity by the time other
major UNIX vendors can install first version 64-bit UNIX solutions.
------
EVENTS
------
MICROSOFT/SAP/DIGITAL EXECUTIVE SEMINAR
"Simplifying Your Enterprise Application Implementation with
SAP/Windows NT/DIGITAL" - March through April at selected cities in
the U.S. Sponsored by SAP, Microsoft, and DIGITAL. For registration
and location details, call 800-372-1998.
ORACLE EUROPEAN OPENWORLD 1997
April 6 - 11, Vienna, Austria. For information, contact Rhodri Jenkins
at:
[email protected]
DTN: 830-4305 or 44 1734 204305
ORACLE OPENWORLD
September 21 - 26, Los Angeles Convention Center. For information,
contact Steve Downes at:
[email protected]
DTN:297-2441 or 508-467-2441
IT EXPO '97
June 24 - 26, IT Expo '97, NEC, Birmingham, England. Jointly funded by
DIGITAL and SOFTWARE AG. For information, contact Martin Wilson at:
[email protected]
DTN: 830-2030 or 44 1256370000
DIGITAL AFFINITY PARTNER SEMINARS
Ongoing in locations throughout the U.S. Series of full day seminars
sponsored by DIGITAL, Oracle, and Microsoft. Addresses the DIGITAL
strategy for growth, and the capabilities and directions of Windows NT
and Oracle products. Breakout sessions on mail, office, DIGITAL
OpenVMS, and partner capabilities. For information, including a
seminar schedule, visit:
http://www.openvms.digital.com/affinity/seminars/index.html
or contact Red Crossman at:
[email protected]
DTN: 381-6164 or 603-881-6164
SYBASE USER GROUP NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE
April 6 - 10, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. For
information, contact Steve Downes at:
[email protected]
DTN:297-2441 or 508-467-2441
---------
RESOURCES
---------
LITERATURE AND SALES TOOLS
"Microsoft SQL Server on DIGITAL Systems" Product Brief
Available from LOS (part number EA-B7505-53)
"Microsoft SQL Server Configuration and Tuning for DIGITAL AlphaServer
Systems"
Available at: http://digital.freerange.com/information/dec1.htm
or by sending mail to: [email protected]
Microsoft SQL Server/DIGITAL Customer Testimonials
Available at: http://digital.freerange.com/digital/stories/default.htm
"DIGITAL Data Mart" Sales Materials
Available at: http://csse.mro.dec.com/silib/pc/infoman/ddm/ddm.html
SOFTWARE AG Ad Campaign
"You won't just go faster. You'll go faster all the time."
Watch for advertising in magazines in Mexico and Germany, and in the
company worldwide periodical "Software Report."
SOFTWARE AG Case Reports
Case Reports are available for the following companies: Merck, PVT
(Czech Securities Exchange), and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration:
DAFIS). The reports are available in hard copy or as PDF files. To
request a Case Report, contact Werner Feld at:
[email protected], DTN: 861-3662 or 49 6103-383-662
"Sybase Connections" Magazine
April/May issue sponsored by DIGITAL; reprints available from LOS (part
number EC-Y7746-53)
SAP Backup Benchmark Results
Press release and white paper available soon at:
http://www-dmdg.pa.dec.com and http://www.ov.com
WEB LOCATIONS
DMDG
http://www-dmdg.pa.dec.com
Informix
http://www.informix.com
http://www.illustra.com
Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com
Oracle
http://www.oracle.com
http://www.oracle.com/platforms/
SOFTWARE AG
http://www.softwareag.com
Germany: http://www.sag.de
Portugal: http://www.software-ag.pt
Spain: http://www.sag.es
Switzerland: http://www.softwareag.com/schweiz/ch-home.htm
U.S.: http://www.sagus.com
Canada: http://www.sagcanada.rdn.com
Sybase
http://www.sybase.com
Data Warehouse Home Page
http://www.partner.digital.com/sbu/esi/ (partner site)
--------
CONTACTS
--------
DMDG MARKETING
Steve Downes, Marketing Programs Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 297-2441 or 508-467-2441
Mary Anne LaHaise, Marketing Communications Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 297-3398 or 508-467-3398
Fran Murar, Marketing Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 297-5616 or 508-467-5616
DMDG OPERATIONS
Judie Beatrice, Business Practices Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 297-3135 or 508-467-3135
Pat Bernard, Operations and Planning Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 381-1648 or 603-881-1648
Andy Schneider, Channels Development Mgr.
[email protected]
DTN: 381-1696 or 603-881-1696
TECHNICAL
Paul Krneta, Technical Director
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3553 or 49 8995910
Henry McCathern, Technical Consultant
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3534 or 415-617-3534
INFORMIX
Cameron Crowe, Global Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3530 or 415-617-3530
Bob Moorhead, Americas Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 521-6434 or 415-574-9017
Isabel Queiros, Europe ISV Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 799-8051 or 351 13818000
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 675-4916 or 65 2904916
MICROSOFT
LeeAnn Stivers
[email protected]
DTN: 548-8569 or 206-562-8569
ORACLE
Anthony Williams, Americas Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 521-6823 or 408-688-8175
Rhodri Jenkins, Europe ISV Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 830-4305 or 44 1734 204305
Linda Eunson, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 675-4964 or 65 2904964
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 699-7336 or 81-3-5349-7336
Ken Lewis, Global Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3533 or 415-617-3533
SOFTWARE AG
Chuck Eichenlaub, Americas Account Manager
[email protected]
412-733-0159
Werner Feld, Global Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3662 or 49 6103-383-662
Dianne Lau, Asia Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 675-7701 or 65 2907701
Kurt Roedszus, Technical Consultant
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3809 or 49 61033830
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 699-7336 or 81-3-5349-7336
Axel Wiegand, Germany Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3328 or 49 61033830
SYBASE
Dick Anderson, Americas Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 223-6031 or 508-493-6031
Jim Bolton, Global Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3649 or 415-617-3649
Colin Hutchins, European Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 847-5978 or 44 1718318282
Uwe Krueger, Germany Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3281 or 49 61033830
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 675-4916 or 65 2904916
COMMENTS?
Please let us know what you think about "Database Marketing Update."
Send your comments, ideas, suggestions, and questions to:
Christine Macfarlane, Editor
[email protected]
and
Mary Anne LaHaise, Executive Editor
[email protected]
DIGITAL believes the information in this publication is accurate as of
its publication date; such information is subject to change without
notice. DIGITAL is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. DIGITAL
conducts its business in a manner that conserves the environment.
Trademarks: AlphaServer, DIGITAL, DEC, DECnet, DECUS, OpenVMS,
TruCluster, VAX, and the DIGITAL logo are trademarks of Digital
Equipment Corporation. DIGITAL UNIX is an X/Open UNIX 95 branded
product.
Informix and INFORMIX are registered trademarks of Informix Software,
Inc. Windows and Windows NT are trademarks and BackOffice, Microsoft,
and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Oracle
Rdb, Rdb7, Oracle Applications, and Oracle Parallel Server are
trademarks and Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation.
ESPERANT is a trademark and ADABAS, ENTIRE, and NATURAL are registered
trademarks of SOFTWARE AG. SQL Server and Sybase IQ are trademarks and
Sybase and System 11 are registered trademarks of Sybase, Inc.
DataDirect is a trademark and INTERSOLV is a registered trademark of
INSERSOLV, Inc. PeopleSoft is a trademark of PeopleSoft, Inc. SAS is a
registered trademark of SAS Institute, Inc. COMPAQ is a registered
trademark of Compaq Computer Corp. OpenVision is a registered
trademark of OpenVision Technologies, Inc. Hewlett-Packard and HP are
registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company. IBM and AS/400 are
registered trademarks of International Business Machines. Sun is a
registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. R/3 is a trademark and
SAP is a registered trademark of SAP AG. tpmC, TPC-C and TCP-D are
registered certification marks of the Transaction Processing Council.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the US and other countries, licensed
exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd.
For Internal Use Only
|
| 441.6 | Vol 3.3 May/June 97 | 26002::HAGGERTY | Kevin, NSIS, Stow MA USA | Fri May 30 1997 21:39 | 1168 |
|
******************************************************************
* DIGITAL *
* --------------- *
* DATABASE MARKETING UPDATE *
* --------------- *
* DMDG's Newsletter for Sales and Sales Support *
* Covering Partnerships with Informix, Microsoft, *
* Oracle, SOFTWARE AG, and Sybase *
* *
******************************************************************
MAY/JUNE '97 DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY VOLUME 3.3
TABLE OF CONTENTS (this newsletter is 19 pages long)
o WHAT'S HOT!
- DIGITAL and Oracle to Deliver Windows NT Clustering
Technology
- DIGITAL Offers Database-Ready TruCluster Packages
o INFORMIX NEWS
- Informix Expands Information Superstores Program to U.S.
- Informix and DIGITAL Win Sales at ASM, BFA
o MICROSOFT NEWS
- Microsoft and DIGITAL Demonstrate Windows NT for the
Enterprise
- Outstanding TPC-C Results
- Instant Sports Brings Live Baseball Action to the Web
- Windows NT/SQL Server Help SABRE BTS Fly
- GEC Marconi Standardizes on Windows NT
o ORACLE NEWS
- Oracle Announces NT-based Data Mart Solution
- DIGITAL/Oracle Web Site Available
- 64-bit Oracle7 Now on DIGITAL OpenVMS for AlphaServer
Systems
- DIGITAL and Oracle -- The Winning Combination
- ESCO Uses Oracle and DIGITAL Solution to Break Information
Barriers
- K.E.M.I. Manages Growth with Help from DIGITAL and Oracle
- North Arundel Community Hospital Updates Prescription for
Patient Care
o SOFTWARE AG NEWS
- SOFTWARE AG/DIGITAL FY98 Planning Meeting
- SOFTWARE AG Presents Strategy for 1997
- SOFTWARE AG Enters Joint Marketing Agreement with Centura
- Dr. Peter Rainer Mossack Appointed Director of Development
- Christian Wedell Joins SOFTWARE AG Supervisory Board
- DIGITAL to Participate at SAG International Symposium and
Exposition
- SMP Beta Test Sites Needed for ADABAS C
o SYBASE NEWS
- Sybase SQL Server Aids Performance Breakthrough for
Communications Industry
- Sybase to Integrate Databases under Adaptive Server Concept
o DMU QUERY
- Questions about Database Market Growth
o EVENTS
o RESOURCES
o CONTACTS
-----------
WHAT'S HOT!
-----------
DIGITAL AND ORACLE TO DELIVER WINDOWS NT CLUSTERING TECHNOLOGY
Expand Enterprise-Scale Windows NT Solutions
MAYNARD, Mass., May 12, 1997 -- DIGITAL today announced support for
Oracle cluster solutions on Windows NT-based Prioris servers and
AlphaServer systems.
DIGITAL is working closely with Oracle to support Oracle Parallel
Server for Windows NT. Oracle Parallel Server provides users with
standards-based, open technology to support highly scalable, reliable,
available, and manageable enterprise-class clustered solutions.
Combined with DIGITAL's highly scalable Intel-based Prioris servers and
AlphaServer systems, Oracle Parallel Server delivers cost-effective,
high-performance computing solutions.
Additionally, DIGITAL will provide significant enhancements to Oracle
cluster solutions, including such functionality as enhanced management
capabilities, high-speed interconnects, failover capabilities, and
increased operational performance.
"Oracle and DIGITAL have an outstanding track record of delivering
scalable cluster solutions to our customers," said Richard French, vice
president of Oracle's Enterprise Platforms Division. "The Oracle
Parallel Server on DIGITAL Clusters' long-standing world record TPC-C
is evidence of our success. With the availability of Oracle Parallel
Server on DIGITAL's Intel and Alpha NT systems, Oracle provides leading
scalable database cluster solutions for all DIGITAL platforms."
DIGITAL will begin shipping Intel-based Prioris servers with the
capability to support Oracle Parallel Server for Windows NT within 30
- 60 days of Oracle's first customer shipment. DIGITAL is aggressively
developing support for Oracle Parallel Server for its Windows NT
AlphaServer systems, and will deliver product in calendar year 1997.
For more information, contact Nanette Haile, [email protected], DTN:
543-3552 or 415-617-3552.
DIGITAL OFFERS DATABASE-READY TRUCLUSTER PACKAGES
In March, DIGITAL initiated a worldwide program that offers
database/application-ready AlphaServer TruCluster packages from the
factory. The TruCluster can be configured as an Available Server (ASE,
HA environment), which provides failover software for high
availability, or as a Production Server (Parallel Database), which
provides application scalability over DIGITAL Memory Channel, in
addition to failover capability.
For ordering details, see The AlphaServer TruCluster Cluster
Configuration Guide, part number EK-TRUCL-CG in LOS.
The March/April Database Marketing Update (Volume 3.2) contains
additional information about Production Server support for Oracle's
Parallel Server.
***************************************************************
* Please remember not to use the sales wins described in this *
* newsletter without first contacting the account manager. *
***************************************************************
-------------
INFORMIX NEWS
-------------
INFORMIX EXPANDS INFORMATION SUPERSTORES PROGRAM TO U.S.
For Customers Who Seek Proof of Concept
In April Informix announced the expansion of its worldwide Informix
Information Superstores program into the United States.
Information Superstores are quick-start technology centers where
customers work side by side with experienced Informix consultants and
industry-leading partners to create solutions based on Informix
scalable connectivity, database, and tools technology. After a short
stay at an Information Superstore -- usually three to four weeks --
customers leave with a working prototype that can be used as the basis
for a large-scale implementation in the enterprise.
The first two U.S. Information Superstores are now open in Denver,
Colorado and Edison, New Jersey. Facilities will open in Menlo Park,
California and New York City by mid-year, and in Chicago, Illinois and
Dallas, Texas by the end of 1997.
Information Superstores currently offer a comprehensive methodology for
building data warehousing solutions. Over the next year, Informix will
add new development and deployment methodologies, including programs
for DataBlade modules, INFORMIX-Universal Server, Internet/intranet
solutions, application migration, and vertical market solutions.
Says Jim O'Gara, DIGITAL Database Marketing Development vice president,
"DIGITAL's support of the Informix Information Superstores is great
news for our customers. DIGITAL and Informix have established a
successful track record for delivering comprehensive solutions to
customers that capitalizes on the unique strengths and capabilities of
both companies. The Informix Information Superstores represents an
innovative technology initiative, and DIGITAL's support of it marks
another step forward in our long-standing relationship with Informix."
More information about Informix Information Superstores is available
at:
www.informix.com/superstores
INFORMIX AND DIGITAL WIN SALES AT ASM, BFA
ASM Assembly Automation Ltd.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, ASM Assembly Automation Ltd. manufactures
semiconductor equipment and leadframes. The company needed to shorten
product-to-market lead time to achieve technology and price
competitiveness.
Competing against IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Sun, and SNI, DIGITAL won the
sale with multiple AlphaServer 8200 5/440 and 2100 5/300 systems
running DIGITAL UNIX; the systems serve as database, application, and
development servers. Informix supplies the database software.
For more information, contact Coby Lo, [email protected],
852-2805-3731.
BFA Orders Continue to Grow!
The July/August 1996 issue of Database Marketing Update (Volume 2.4)
reported on the BFA, the Berlin-based German Federal Social Security
Agency. Their initial order of 30 DIGITAL AlphaServer systems and 1,200
PCs continues to grow! As of April 1997 the number of AlphaServer
systems ordered has reached 85 and the number of PCs 2,800. The company
uses an Informix database for their client/server environment.
For more information, contact Tobias Foester,
[email protected], DTN: 859-3187 or 49 30390830.
--------------
MICROSOFT NEWS
--------------
MICROSOFT AND DIGITAL DEMONSTRATE WINDOWS NT FOR THE ENTERPRISE
Showcase Terra-Server Project
On May 20th, Microsoft invited 400 press and analysts to New York to
demonstrate Windows NT capability for the enterprise. The event
included demonstrations of ground-breaking enterprise-scale
applications using Very Large Memory (VLM) and Very Large Database
(VLDB) scalability.
Demonstrations showcased a beta version of Windows NT 5.0 supporting
64-bit addressing on a DIGITAL AlphaServer 8400 system, and VLDB
scaling to one terabyte using the Microsoft SQL Server on a DIGITAL
AlphaServer 4100 system with StorageWorks disks -- the "Terra-Server"
project.
By choosing DIGITAL AlphaServer systems, Microsoft implemented the
terabyte database on the highest performance, most scalable, and
reliable Windows NT platform in the industry.
The Terra-Server Project
The result of close collaboration between Microsoft and DIGITAL, the
Terra-Server project establishes the scalability of Windows NT server
and Microsoft SQL Server to store and manage one terabyte of data
through an application on the Internet.
Terra-Server is a real application that contains a terabyte of
satellite and aerial imagery, supplied by the U.S. Geological Survey
and declassified Russian military imagery from Aerial Images of North
Carolina. Data is stored in a SQL Server 7.0 database for downloading
to a client system. The database resides on a four-processor DIGITAL
AlphaServer 4100 system with 324 StorageWorks disks in a RAID 5
configuration.
By searching or zooming in on a location, users can view high
resolution satellite images of urban areas worldwide. The application
will be connected to the Internet for general access later this year.
For more information, contact LeeAnn Stivers, [email protected], DTN:
548-8569 or 206-562-8569.
OUTSTANDING TPC-C RESULTS
Windows NT and the Microsoft SQL server running on a DIGITAL
AlphaServer 1000A system recently achieved record TPC-C results against
Compaq's ProLiant 2500 6/200 processor. The AlphaServer system
delivered 3264 tpmC at a price/performance level of $60/tpmC against
Compaq's results of 2502 tpmc at $72/tpmC.
The configuration included a single-processor DIGITAL AlphaServer 1000A
5/500, Windows NT 4.0, and Microsoft SQL Server 6.5.
For more information, contact LeeAnn Stivers, [email protected], DTN:
548-8569 or 206-562-8569.
INSTANT SPORTS BRINGS LIVE BASEBALL ACTION TO THE WEB
Microsoft and DIGITAL Team Up to Provide the Solution
Instant Sports, Inc. of Austin, Texas, is a small company with a big
idea. Founded by self-described baseball fanatic Dave Barstow, the
company's Instant Sports World Wide Web site lets fans track the
progress of baseball games and information about favorite players as it
happens.
Using Microsoft products running on DIGITAL AlphaServer systems,
Instant Sports has built a series of patent-protected, Web-database
applications to cover Major League Baseball games and player statistics
almost as fast as the plays happen on the field. The site also provides
Instant Fan Pages, where users can receive personalized information
about their favorite teams and players, and has plans to provide
Instant Fantasy Manager for those who want to manage their own
"fantasy" baseball teams.
The company uses an SQL Server database to hold sports information sent
by direct lease line from STATS, a sports statistics information
provider. A Java-based application then turns the data into animated
players on a baseball field, recreating the event in close to real
time.
Instant Sports had been running their site on an IBM RS/6000, but for
their new offerings decided to move to Windows NT and related Microsoft
products because they offered easier personalization, powerful
performance, and seamless, easy access to the SQL Server database for
real-time updates. Windows NT Server with Internet Information Server
(IIS) runs on both Intel and Alpha RISC-based platforms, giving Instant
Sports a choice of hardware and the advantage of the upward scalability
of DIGITAL AlphaServer systems to meet the company's anticipated
growth.
Says Instant Sports president Tom Fornoff, "Microsoft and DIGITAL have
offered a clear, well-defined road map covering both our current
requirements and what we need for the future."
The company's client/server architecture includes a DIGITAL AlphaServer
4100 system running Windows NT Server 4.0, Microsoft Internet
Information Server, and Microsoft SQL Server. The AlphaServer system
supports up to four Alpha RISC microprocessors with 8GB memory, 16
64-bit PCI slots, and a 240 GB disk for more than 7.5TB total.
Check out Instant Sports at:
www.instantsports.com
For more information, contact LeeAnn Stivers, [email protected], DTN:
548-8569 or 206-562-8569.
WINDOWS NT/SQL SERVER HELP SABRE BTS FLY
DIGITAL AlphaServer Systems Provide the Wings
Licensed to more than 29,000 travel agencies and subscribers in 76
countries, The SABRE Group's SABRE reservation system is the largest
online transaction processing system in the world. At its busiest,
SABRE serves more than 120,000 connected terminals at once, with peak
transaction rates of up to 4,900 messages per second.
Wanting to extend the power of SABRE directly to corporate customers,
The SABRE Group two years ago launched SABRE Business Travel Solutions
(SABRE BTS). They planned to offer both a software-only product for
customers wanting to run the application on their own servers, and a
service bureau option so that customers could access the application on
a SABRE-hosted platform.
That required tremendous latitude in scaling from large to small, and
gave SABRE new challenges in dealing with issues of flexibility,
modularity, and compatibility.
SABRE BTS defined a three-tier client/server architecture in which the
top tier uses a multiplatform client supporting Windows 95 or an
Internet browser, the middle is an application server, and the backend
a multiplatform database server. The design separates the business
logic from the customer's data, making the SABRE BTS application very
flexible and modular.
After evaluating a number of options, SABRE BTS selected Microsoft
Windows NT and the Microsoft SQL Server database management system for
the second and third tiers of the system, choosing them for
flexibility, scalability, reliabilty and performance.
Working closely with DIGITAL's consulting organization, SABRE BTS
selected five DIGITAL AlphaServer 4100 systems to host its service
bureau business, choosing the DIGITAL AlphaServer platform because of
its outstanding performance and scalability, and also because of the
strong relationship between DIGITAL and Microsoft.
"The Microsoft-DIGITAL alliance was a critical part of our decision to
use DIGITAL AlphaServers," says Eric Garcia, chief technology officer
for SABRE BTS. "DIGITAL's staff of Microsoft-Certified Engineers were
Windows NT and SQL Server experts capable of understanding and
deploying our architecture and making sure Windows NT ran superbly on
AlphaServer platforms."
The two database servers are also DIGITAL AlphaServer systems.
Research on early users of SABRE BTS show that the system can reduce
corporate travel costs by up to 30 percent. For end users, SABRE BTS
reduces average booking time from 15 minutes to five minutes or less.
For more information, contact LeeAnn Stivers, [email protected], DTN:
548-8569 or 206-562-8569.
GEC MARCONI STANDARDIZES ON WINDOWS NT
GEC Marconi is one of Europe's largest defense electronics suppliers.
Their products range from avionics systems to underwater weapons and
sonars, radars, terrestrial and satellite communications, guided
missiles, warships, electronic warfare systems and data transmission
systems. Business is conducted on a world-wide basis.
In 1995, GEC Marconi reviewed its network operating systems,
predominantly Novell-based, with the intention of establishing a global
corporate standard for its 46,000 employees. With DIGITAL's help, GEC
chose Windows NT. The sale also included DIGITAL Prioris, Alpha
Workstations, and other AlphaServer systems.
In a deal worth ?45K (US$73.7K) to NSIS for Systems Integration
services, DIGITAL won the contract to supply a new referencing system,
as well as an initial ?22K (US$36K) for the design of the NT
environment in the Dynamics division. A further ?40K (US$65.5K) deal is
expected to be added for the roll-out beyond the pilot.
For more information, contact Lawrence Gilbert,
[email protected], DTN: 830-2360 or 44 1734868711.
-----------
ORACLE NEWS
-----------
ORACLE ANNOUNCES NT-BASED DATA MART SOLUTION
On March 31 Oracle announced an NT-based data mart solution in
conjunction with several platform vendors, including DIGITAL. The
solution is available on DIGITAL Prioris servers now, with Alpha NT
support to follow in late Q4/early Q1.
Packages include the hardware, software, and support services needed
for businesses to implement a single-subject, function-specific
decision-support solution. They include:
o Oracle Data Mart Suite software
o Oracle7 database software and supporting tools
o Windows NT operating software
o DIGITAL Alpha or Intel-based server software
o StorageWorks subsystem
o Portfolio of system integration and support services
Installed Oracle7 and Oracle Rdb databases are supported as source
databases for the data mart.
For more information, contact Peter Hodge, [email protected], DTN:
223-4638 or 508-493-4638 or Jane Wilson, [email protected], DTN:
227-3529 or 508-952-3529.
DIGITAL/ORACLE WEB SITE AVAILABLE
Be sure to visit the new Americas DIGITAL/Oracle Information Site, now
available on the World Wide Web. The site provides product
descriptions, technical specifications, and advantages of the range of
DIGITAL AlphaServer systems, as well as detailed descriptions of Oracle
relational databases and Oracle applications for finance,
manufacturing, and human resources.
Visitors can find answers to commonly asked questions, read
testimonials from customers implementing Oracle/DIGITAL solutions,
access performance comparisons, and find the appropriate DIGITAL
contacts for each region and the Americas.
Access the site at:
www.digital.got.net
For more information, contact Anthony Williams,
[email protected], DTN: 521-6823 or 408-688-8175.
64-BIT ORACLE7 NOW ON DIGITAL OPENVMS FOR ALPHASERVER SYSTEMS
Oracle has released 64-bit Oracle7 for DIGITAL OpenVMS AlphaServer
systems, with Very Large Memory (VLM) support. The new release
accommodates memory-resident databases extending into the multigigabyte
range, enabling customers to load most -- if not all -- of their
database into memory. The result is dramatic performance improvement,
especially for high-end applications such as data warehousing.
For more information, see the "Oracle7 on Alpha OpenVMS" white paper
at:
http://www.oracle.com/platforms/dec
or contact Susan Peppercorn, [email protected], DTN: 223-5847 or
508-493-5847.
DIGITAL AND ORACLE -- THE WINNING COMBINATION
DIGITAL Keynote Address Taped at Oracle European OpenWorld
For a brief look at "DIGITAL Day" at Oracle European OpenWorld, be sure
to see the new video "DIGITAL and Oracle: The Winning Combination."
The video opens with a short testimonial by Oracle explaining why they
chose DIGITAL AlphaServer systems to run their core business
applications, then continues with the keynote presentation given by
Mike Gallup, vice president of DIGITAL's Worldwide Systems Business
Unit.
Gallup discusses what makes the DIGITAL and Oracle solution the winning
combination as customers move their enterprise computing environments
into the 21st Century. The presentation includes a demonstration of
DIGITAL VLM64 technology and Oracle's robust database working together
to meet the challenges of a typical customer business problem.
To order the video, choose part number VI56BR from the Web IR.
ESCO USES ORACLE AND DIGITAL SOLUTION TO BREAK INFORMATION BARRIERS
ESCO, a privately-held steel and alloy manufacturer and a major player
in earth-engaging equipment, is forging ahead with a plan to give its
worldwide employees a single, reliable source of corporate information.
Armed with a DIGITAL UNIX AlphaServer 8400 system and the full suite of
Oracle Applications, the company will break through the time and
geographical barriers that can separate people from information.
ESCO is consolidating volumes of data from eight mainframes at sites
around the world into one central database of mission-critical
information. Users throughout 25 sites in 13 countries will have
instant access to current and consistent data, which will reside on the
DIGITAL AlphaServer system at ESCO's Portland, Oregon headquarters.
DIGITAL partnered with Oracle Corporation and Pioneer, a DIGITAL
reseller, to deliver the solution. Within just six months, ESCO
implemented Oracle General Ledger worldwide, while building a global
client/server network based on DIGITAL Alpha and DIGITAL UNIX
technology.
Now, 100 users have fast access to real-time financial information from
anywhere in the company, which includes three divisions and
subsidiaries. As Oracle Applications for Manufacturing and Human
Resources are implemented on the DIGITAL AlphaServer system, the
concurrent user population will climb to 800 by the end of 1997, and
increase incrementally as users and sites are added throughout 1998.
As part of the new solution, ESCO is building an Alpha-based data
warehouse, which will also utilize the Oracle database.
For more information, contact Anthony Williams,
[email protected], DTN: 521-6823 or 408-688-8175.
K.E.M.I. MANAGES GROWTH WITH HELP FROM DIGITAL AND ORACLE
Kentucky Employer's Mutual Insurance (K.E.M.I.) makes its living by
handling risks. As the specially designated Kentucky company that
serves as a competitive mutual insurance company, K.E.M.I. is also the
market of last resort for businesses throughout the state. After a
successful lobbying campaign to revamp Kentucky's liberal state
workers' compensation laws, K.E.M.I. was created in 1994 with a mandate
to begin offering coverage by September 1995.
The state legislature did not restrict the nonprofit K.E.M.I. from
writing new workers' compensation policies for businesses throughout
Kentucky. Its appeal to new customers was the loss education programs
the company could provide, gleaned by fresh experience with high risk
companies. K.E.M.I grew exponentially in its first four months to a $50
million dollar company, and to over a $90 million company during the
first year.
"No one anticipated the level of growth K.E.M.I. has experienced,
certainly no one setting up computer systems," said K.E.M.I. manager of
Systems Glenn Mabley.
The original contract by Price Waterhouse specified DIGITAL AlphaServer
systems running Oracle databases and applications.
Almost immediately after Price Waterhouse completed the installation in
May 1996, K.E.M.I. realized its growth would overtax the DIGITAL
AlphaServer 2100 4/200 system running DIGITAL UNIX and a workers'
compensation application based on Oracle Forms. K.E.M.I. added memory
and upgraded the systems processor to a DIGITAL AlphaServer 2100 5/300
system.
"We had tremendous throughput improvements by moving to the Model AS
2100 5/300," enthused Mabley. "We've been able to add substantial
memory, upgrade the system microprocessors and tie in new systems
elements, all without having to switch operating platforms," he said,
adding that K.E.M.I. can also still move to Windows NT with the DIGITAL
AlphaServer systems.
Mabley noted that the use of the Oracle database and Oracle Financials
have also eased K.E.M.I.'s growth pains. "Any of our users familiar
with the Oracle database find the applications fairly intuitive, and
well integrated with the environment, which is really helpful."
For more information, contact Anthony Williams,
[email protected], DTN: 521-6823 or 408-688-8175.
NORTH ARUNDEL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL UPDATES PRESCRIPTION FOR PATIENT CARE
North Arundel Community Hospital, owned and operated by the North
Arundel Health System of Glen Burnie, Maryland, serves the residents of
communities south of Baltimore. The hospital had been using dated
proprietary hardware no longer supported by the manufacturer. Wanting
to reengineer their patient care system and integrate departments, the
hospital looked for a scalable hardware system capable of running
powerful financial, analytical, and graphics oriented software.
The hospital selected DIGITAL AlphaServer 2100 systems running DIGITAL
UNIX (and the DIGITAL ASE strategy for redundancy), and other
AlphaServer solutions running Windows NT. To integrate the hospital
departments -- the pharmacy, electronic pathways, laboratory, orders
and results, admissions, discharges and transfer -- the hospital chose
Oracle Forms, Oracle Financials, Designer/2000, Developer/2000, and
CASE repository.
With these solutions in place, North Arundel will offer the community
one of the most advanced patient care systems in the country -- from
the electronic capturing of records to a fully integrated and
clinically driven system of patient care.
For more information, contact Mary Siebert, DTN: 339-5773 or
410-263-7126.
----------------
SOFTWARE AG NEWS
----------------
SOFTWARE AG/DIGITAL FY98 PLANNING MEETING
A joint SOFTWARE AG/DIGITAL planning session was held in Europe in
April to discuss FY98 activities.
The companies discussed five possible Solution Sets -- unique SOFTWARE
AG/DIGITAL hardware and software products for building a total customer
solution based on such criteria as purpose, availability, target
market, customer advantage, fulfillment channel, and sales activities.
The proposed Solution Sets are:
o Destination Alpha
o Datawarehouse
o ADABAS D, SAP R/3
o WEB-Enabling
o Enterprise Computing
Expect to hear more about these Solution Sets as plans unfold. For
information, contact Werner Feld, [email protected], DTN: 861-3662 or
49 6103-383-662.
SOFTWARE AG PRESENTS STRATEGY FOR 1997
Dr. Erwin Koenigs, SOFTWARE AG CEO, issued a press statement at the
March gathering of CeBIT '97 that detailed the company's strategy and
focus for the coming year. Highlights from his statement follow.
High Tech Enterprise Solutions
In 1997, SOFTWARE AG will continue to concentrate its expertise on
systems solutions for midsized and large customers in such key vertical
markets as banking, insurance, transportation, logistics, and
government. The company helps enterprises develop applications with
high-tech software components and services.
SOFTWARE AG recently announced, with its partner SAP, the formation of
a joint consulting company, SAP-SI, aimed at the SAP R/3 market (see
Database Marketing Update, Volume 3.2). In addition, SOFTWARE AG's
Expedition 2000 program offers solutions for the year 2000 conversion
and for the coming European currency "Euro." And the company's
"Intelligon" service continues to provide support for data warehouses,
from the initial design and prototyping stages through full
implementation.
SOFTWARE AG will continue to focus on and extend its three main product
lines: ADABAS for database management, NATURAL for enterprise
development, and ENTIRE as middleware.
In addition, the company is actively moving in the area of
componentware -- the process of integrating old and new applications,
and enabling them for the intranet and Internet.
Announcements and presentations at CeBIT '97 were made in the following
areas:
o Distributed Component Object Module (DCOM) ports to UNIX systems,
including DIGITAL UNIX
o NATURAL DCOM
o iXpress for optimal Web server performance
o SourcePoint for automatic filling of data warehouses, data marts,
and Web servers
o ADABAS C enhancements
o ADABAS C SQL Server and Web Gateway for linking large databases to
the Web
o ADABAS D Office Plus
According to Dr. Koenig, customers can expect further strong
developments in the areas of database systems and application
development. Application integration, Internet enabling, and
componentware are key words for the coming year.
For the full text of the press release, see SOFTWARE AG's home page at:
www.softwareag.com
(Click on the "News" button.)
SOFTWARE AG ENTERS JOINT MARKETING AGREEMENT WITH CENTURA
SOFTWARE AG and Centura Software of California have agreed on the
cross-licensing of their database servers SQLBase and ADABAS D, giving
each company the right to market the other's products. In addition,
under the terms of the agreement, Centura will support SOFTWARE AG in
the strategic establishment of its indirect marketing channels in the
U.S. and other countries where Centura currently sells -- which in turn
can help leverage the sales of DIGITAL hardware.
Each database server complements the other's platform support: SQLBase
runs under Windows 3.x, Windows 95 and Windows NT, while ADABAS D has
been optimized for use on multiprocessor Windows NT, UNIX and Linux
servers.
For more information, contact Werner Feld, [email protected], DTN:
861-3662 or 49 6103-383-662.
DR. PETER RAINER MOSSACK APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
SOFTWARE AG has appointed Dr. Peter Rainer Mossack to serve as the
company's first Director of Development, reporting directly to CEO Dr.
Erwin Koenigs. The new position was created specifically to unite
responsibilities that are currently spread across the main product
lines.
Dr. Mossack was awarded a doctorate in plasma physics by the University
of Manchester, England. He has worked in software development since
1979, both as a member of the SOFTWARE AG development team and as
director of his own software company.
Under Dr. Mossack's direction, SOFTWARE AG will continue major
technological developments in its three mainstream product lines:
ADABAS (databases), NATURAL (programming technology) and ENTIRE
(middleware).
CHRISTIAN WEDELL JOINS SOFTWARE AG SUPERVISORY BOARD
Mr. Christian Wedell, managing director and director of Central-Europe
for Microsoft GmbH in Munich, was elected to the SOFTWARE AG
Supervisory Board during the board's specially-scheduled general
meeting in March.
Mr. Wedell brings to the board a detailed knowledge of the IT-industry
and extensive business experience. He holds amasters degree in computer
science.
The move is part of ongoing strategic partnering between SOFTWARE AG
and Microsoft.
DIGITAL TO PARTICIPATE AT SAG INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND EXPOSITION
Bring your customers to the SAG International Symposium and Exposition,
June 1 - 6 in Philadelphia, PA, where DIGITAL will staff a booth
promoting the theme "DIGITAL and SOFTWARE AG: the Performance Advantage
with Investment Protection."
The booth will demonstrate SOFTWARE AG products running on DIGITAL
OpenVMS, DIGITAL UNIX, and NT systems. In addition, DIGITAL has
provided 30 PCs for SOFTWARE AG's iXpress and CRIS displays and for
customer meetings, and plans to run NT on a DIGITAL AlphaServer 1000
system in the SOFTWARE AG "Middleware" booth.
Conferences are organized along seven topic areas. Customers can choose
sessions from any of the following:
o Application engineering
o Data management
o Network Computing
o Data warehousing
o Industry applications
o Year 2000
o Integrated business solutions
In addition, the Solution City Expo Hall is open to all attendees from
June 2 - 4.
The event will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott. Approximately 1000
attendees are expected. For more information, visit:
www.sagus.com/news/events/sympos97/agenda.htm
or contact Chuck Eichenlaub, [email protected],
412-733-0159.
SMP BETA TEST SITES NEEDED FOR ADABAS C
SOFTWARE AG is seeking beta test sites for their newly completed SMP
version of ADABAS C on Windows NT V4.0 on both DIGITAL Alpha and Intel
platforms and on DIGITAL UNIX V4.0. If you have interested customers,
please contact Kurt Roedszus, [email protected], DTN:
861-3809 or 49 61033830, or Werner Feld, [email protected], DTN:
861-3662 or 49 6103-383-662.
-----------
SYBASE NEWS
-----------
SYBASE SQL SERVER AIDS PERFORMANCE BREAKTHROUGH FOR COMMUNICATIONS
INDUSTRY
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 29 -- Kenan Systems Corporation announced
significant new benchmark test results of Arbor/BP, the leading
UNIX-based billing and customer care system for single and multiservice
communications providers worldwide.
The benchmarks were conducted at the DIGITAL Benchmark facility in
Salem, New Hampshire in January 1997. One DIGITAL AlphaServer 8400
system and one AlphaServer 4100 system were used, along with Sybase's
SQL Server version 11.0.2.1, and Database Excellerators from DES, Inc.
The tests were carefully designed to measure Arbor/BP's performance in
a simulated production environment using actual data and bill formats.
Using a multiserver configuration, and testing for throughput, the
system successfully processed four million call detail records (CDRs)
per hour, while invoice preparation was measured at 100,000 per hour.
These results represent by far the fastest level of performance
announced to date for any telecommunications or online services billing
and customer care system.
Arbor/BP has been licensed by large multiservice communications
organizations that offer wireline, wireless, online, Internet and
electronic commerce, and cable TV services, including AT&T, British
Telecom, MFS, Optus, and Siris.
For more information, contact Jim Bolton, [email protected], DTN:
543-3649 or 415-617-3649.
SYBASE TO INTEGRATE DATABASES UNDER ADAPTIVE SERVER CONCEPT
Over the next 18 months, Sybase plans to strip its SQL Server, SQL
Anywhere, and SybaseIQ databases of their individual user management
interfaces, parsers, normalizers, and optimizers, and make them comply
to a uniform common language processor that will use Sybase's
Transact-SQL as a query language and Java as the application logic
language.
Under the "Adaptive Server" common management and language shell,
Sybase intends to sell SQL Server for large-scale transaction
processing, SQL Anywhere for mobile and workgroup purposes, and
SybaseIQ for processing queries in data warehouses. Existing
applications and data using these three databases are expected to be
100 percent compatible with Adaptive Server.
The Sybase databases will remain relational to avoid compromising
performance and speed. Adaptive Server will rely on third-party modules
for handling nonrelational data such as time-series, geospatial, and
multimedia data.
Adaptive Server is part of Sybase's ImpactNow Adaptive Component
Architecture.
For more information, contact Jim Bolton, [email protected], DTN:
543-3649 or 415-617-3649.
---------
DMU QUERY
---------
A column featuring answers to readers' questions about database markets
and technology. Please send all questions to the editors.
The following questions and answers were drawn from a Dataquest
analysis of worldwide database markets. A Gartner Group company,
Dataquest provides its clients with research, information, custom
consulting, and analysis. View their home page at:
www.dataquest.com
Q: How much has the database market grown in the past year?
A: The worldwide database market grew 15 percent in 1996, with
revenue reaching $5.7 billion, up from $4.9 billion in 1995. Dataquest
forecasts the worldwide database market to reach $10.1 billion in the
year 2001.
Q: Who were the top vendors?
A: Oracle was the Number 1 vendor for the second year in a row, with
30 percent market share. IBM maintained the Number 2 position with 26
percent market share, followed by Informix at 9 percent market share.
Q: What are the strong markets?
A: The growth of relational database management systems (RDBMS) drove
the market in 1996. The Object database market showed strong growth in
1996, but the market is still relatively small. Dataquest predicts
that the majority of future revenue will come from RDBMS products and
with UNIX, the platform for half of the overall revenue base.
According to Carolyn DiCenzo, director of Dataquest's Client/Server
Software Worldwide Program, "The need for data management solutions
accessing complex data -- in data warehouses, Web pages, or competitive
advantage applications -- has demanded an updated RDBMS model. The
emergence of the Universal Server has prompted renewed activity in the
RDBMS market, which has benefited all participating vendors."
------
EVENTS
------
REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION (RTA) SHOW
May 19 - 21, Holiday Inn Roslynn Westpark Hotel, Washington, DC.
DIGITAL is exhibiting as vendor of choice in the SOFTWARE AG booth. The
exhibit showcases the Client Rehabilitation Information System (CRIS).
For more information, contact Chuck Eichenlaub,
[email protected], 412-733-0159.
SAG INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND EXPOSITION
June 1 - 6, Philadelphia Marriott, Philadelphia, PA. DIGITAL will
participate with its own booth. For more information, contact Chuck
Eichenlaub, [email protected], 412-733-0159.
SYBASE IMPACT SEMINARS
"Impact Now World Tour Management Session" -- For IS/IT professionals,
a unique forum showcasing strategic solutions available for today's
Internet and data warehouse projects. Scheduled for:
May 29 - Washington, DC
June 3 - Phoenix, AZ
June 5 - Detroit, MI
June 10 - Los Angeles, CA
June 12 - Philadelphia, PA
June 19 - Toronto, ON
June 24 - Minneapolis, MN
June 26 - Charlotte, NC
To register, call 800-8-SYBASE, or visit the Sybase Web sites at:
www.sybase.com
www.powersoft.com
---------
RESOURCES
---------
LITERATURE AND SALES TOOLS
"The AlphaServer TruCluster Cluster Configuration Guide"
Order EK-TRUCL-CG (LOS)
"DIGITAL and Informix: Enabling Competitive Advantage"
Order EA-B7925-53 (LOS) after June 15
"DIGITAL and Oracle: The Winning Combination" Video
Keynote presentation by DIGITAL VP Mike Gallup at Oracle's European
OpenWorld event. Order VI56BR (Web IR)
"Oracle7 on Alpha OpenVMS" White Paper
Available at:
http://www.oracle.com/platforms/dec
"Backup and Restore Demonstration for Very Large Databases" White Paper
Complete report of DIGITAL and Legato Systems joint technology
demonstration using Oracle and StorageTec to measure the maximum
possible backup rate on an Oracle database. Order EC-Z7504-45 (LOS) or
LI01Q4 (Web IR)
WEB LOCATIONS
DMDG
http://www-dmdg.pa.dec.com
Informix
http://www.informix.com
http://www.illustra.com
Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com
Oracle
http://www.oracle.com
http://www.oracle.com/platforms/
SOFTWARE AG
http://www.softwareag.com
Germany: http://www.sag.de
Portugal: http://www.software-ag.pt
Spain: http://www.sag.es
Switzerland: http://www.softwareag.com/schweiz/ch-home.htm
U.S.: http://www.sagus.com
Canada: http://www.sagcanada.rdn.com
Sybase
http://www.sybase.com
Data Warehouse Home Page
http://www.partner.digital.com/sbu/esi/ (partner site)
--------
CONTACTS
--------
DMDG MARKETING
Steve Downes, Marketing Programs Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 297-2441 or 508-467-2441
Mary Anne LaHaise, Marketing Communications Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 297-3398 or 508-467-3398
Fran Murar, Marketing Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 297-5616 or 508-467-5616
DMDG OPERATIONS
Judie Beatrice, Business Practices Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 297-3135 or 508-467-3135
Pat Bernard, Operations and Planning Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 381-1648 or 603-881-1648
Andy Schneider, Channels Development Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 381-1696 or 603-881-1696
TECHNICAL
Paul Krneta, Technical Director
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3553 or 49 8995910
Henry McCathern, Technical Consultant
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3534 or 415-617-3534
INFORMIX
Cameron Crowe, Global Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3530 or 415-617-3530
Bob Moorhead, Americas Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 521-6434 or 415-574-9017
Isabel Queiros, Europe Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 821-4329
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 675-4916 or 65 2904916
MICROSOFT
LeeAnn Stivers
[email protected]
DTN: 548-8569 or 206-562-8569
Oracle
Ken Lewis, Global Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3533 or 415-617-3533
Anthony Williams, Americas Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 521-6823 or 408-688-8175
Rhodri Jenkins, Europe ISV Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 830-4305 or 44 1734 204305
Linda Eunson, Asia-Pacific Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 675-4964 or 65 2904964
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 699-7336 or 81-3-5349-7336
Nanette Haile, NT Marketing Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3552 or 415-617-3552
SOFTWARE AG
Werner Feld, Global Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3662 or 49 6103-383-662
Chuck Eichenlaub, Americas Account Manager
[email protected]
412-733-0159
Dianne Lau, Asia Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 675-7701 or 65 2907701
Takaaki Hoshino, Japan Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 699-7336 or 81-3-5349-7336
Friedrich Stahl, Germany Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3397 or 49 171 3357821
Arturo Selgas, Spain Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 874-4431 or 34 15834100
Martin Wilson, UK Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 830-2030 or 44 1256370000
Kurt Roedszus, Technical Consultant
[email protected]
DTN: 861-3809 or 49 61033830
Sybase
Jim Bolton, Global Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 543-3649 or 415-617-3649
Lori Winn, Americas Business Manager
[email protected]
707-765-2242
Colin Hutchins, European Account Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 847-5978 or 44 1718318282
Iqbal Marican, Asia-Pacific Business Manager
[email protected]
DTN: 675-4916 or 65 2904916
Comments?
Please let us know what you think about Database Marketing Update. Send
your comments, ideas, suggestions, and questions to:
Christine Macfarlane, Editor
[email protected]
and
Mary Anne LaHaise, Executive Editor
[email protected]
DIGITAL believes the information in this publication is accurate as of
its publication date; such information is subject to change without
notice. DIGITAL is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. DIGITAL
conducts its business in a manner that conserves the environment.
Trademarks: AlphaServer, DIGITAL, DEC, DECnet, DECUS, OpenVMS, Prioris,
StorageWorks, TruCluster, VAX, and the DIGITAL logo are trademarks of
Digital Equipment Corporation. DIGITAL UNIX is an X/Open UNIX 95
branded product.
Informix, INFORMIX, and DataBlade are registered trademarks of Informix
Software, Inc. Microsoft, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and
Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Oracle
is a registered trademark and Oracle Rdb, Rdb7, Oracle7, Oracle
Applications, Oracle CASE, Developer/2000, Designer/2000, Oracle
Financials, Oracle Forms, Oracle General Ledger, and Oracle Parallel
Server are trademarks of Oracle Corporation. ADABAS, ENTIRE, and
NATURAL are registered trademarks and iXpress is a trademark of
SOFTWARE AG. Sybase and System 11 are registered trademarks and SQL
Server, SQL Anywhere, and Sybase IQ are trademarks of Sybase, Inc.
COMPAQ is a registered trademark and ProLiant is a trademark of Compaq
Computer Corp. DES Database Excellerator is a trademark of DES, Inc.
Hewlett-Packard and HP are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard
Company. IBM is a registered trademark and RS/6000 is a trademark of
International Business Machines. Intel is a registered trademark of
Intel Corporation. Kenan and Arbor are registered trademarks of Kenan
Systems Corporation. Novell is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.
Sun is a registered trademark and Java is a trademark of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. SAP is a registered trademark and R/3 is a trademark
of SAP AG. tpmC and TPC-C are registered certification marks of the
Transaction Processing Council. UNIX is a registered trademark in the
U.S. and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company
Ltd.
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