Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

248.0. "DB2 and pc database data" by LACV01::NEEDLEMAN (New to Florida) Tue Nov 15 1988 18:05

from the 

Blue Sky Newsletter Volume 1 Number 18
.
.
.
.

IBM's DB2 Version 2 Release 2 - industry analysts react to
distributed capabilities. IBM has taken some first steps toward
distributed database communications capability by unveiling the
features of its new DB2, version 2, release 2. The product allows
multiple System/370 DB2 programs to communicate over local or
remote links using the Virtual Telecommunications Access Method
(VTAM) implementation of the LU 6.2 communications protocols.
Although these functions are innovative, they are also quite
limited. 

The types of access to distributed relational data supported in
the release include "remote unit of work," and initial support
for "distributed unit of work." "Remote unit of work" means that
a user can be located at one DB2 system and issue reads and
updates at another site, without knowing that the information is
at another site.  The support mentioned for "distributed unit of
work" means that DB2 can support remote reads from more than one
remote site in the same unit of work, however, you can still only
update to one site.

While the IBM developments are certainly a sign of progress in
the field, many users feel that the ultimate development and need
is to connect PCs and departmental processors to a larger
database network.  (PCWeek,10/31/88,pC3)

IBM's DB2 - two surveys shed light on the way it is being used by
customers. Datamation combined the results of two independent
surveys to give a picture of the environments in which companies
are building DB2 applications. An April 1988 survey of the
Midwest DB2 users group drew 300 responses representing 150
different users. A January 1988 survey of the New York based
Knauer DB2 users group drew 350 replies representing 113
companies.

DB2 Systems support tools from IBM:

Used by most respondents -
     Components of DB2 such as DB2Interactive (DB2I), Query
     Management Facility (QMF)

Used by about one third of respondents -
     Separately licensed products DBEDIT, DXT, DB2

Used by 23% of NY respondents, 15% of Midwest respondents -
     DBMAUI, IBM's migration aid

Used by less than 10% of respondents -
     DBRAD, DXTA, HDBV

Used by few respondents -
     IMS Data Dictionary-DB2 Interface
     DB2/VSAM Transparency

DB2 Systems support tools from independent vendors:
Used by more than 10% of respondents -
     DB/ProEdit from On-Line Software of N.J.
Numerous other packages were mentioned, but none had widespread
support. Vendors continue to flood the market with DB2 support
tools.

Fourth generation languages or application generators used to
develop DB2 applications: 
Used by almost all respondents -
     IBM's QMF

Used by between 10% and 25% of respondents -
     Information Builders' Focus
     Pansophic's Telon
     IBM's Cross Systems Products (CSP)

Used by 10% or fewer respondents -
     IBM's Application Development Facility (ADF)
     Sage Software's Application Productivity System (APS)
     On-Line Software's DB/CLIST
     IBM's Application System (AS)
     SAS Institute's SAS
     Nomad, Mark IV, Intellect, Ramis, Pacbase,  and others.

Other indications from the survey include:

     most users employ a version of COBOL, with PL/1 and
     Assembler rated second

     TSO/IPSF was most widely used on-line monitor because of its
     support for QMF and its role in developing DB2 applications

     10% of N.Y. users are in a pilot project phase, while 50%
     are active in development projects, and only 40% have
     production applications

     the average Midwest site had 3.25 applications in
     development and 4.0 in production

     few DB2 users migrate applications or data between DB2 and
     SQL/DS environments whether VM- or VSE-based

     less than a third of Midwest respondents express interest in
     the OS/2 Extended Edition Database Manager, and fewer in
     distributed database applications.

(DM,10/15/88,p45)




IBM's Database Manager and Microsoft's SQL Server -- now that
they're real, how are they priced? Details:

     Database Manager is a component of Extended Edition which is
     priced two different ways: 

          a list price of $830 from APD's who buy in volume from
          IBM and can discount 

          direct from IBM via Software Volume Procurement
          Agreements with discount varying according to volume. 
          Discounts are retroactive.  Also, if a customer can
          obtain a better price froma remarketer, they can buy
          there instead but still receive their credit towards
          their VPA.  This last option is known as Customer
          Fulfillment Option.

     SQL Server has yet to have its retail pricing set but it's
     expected to be server based.  Server based pricing normally
     means one copy to one server with users are unlimited or
     capped.  It's also available from licensees.  So far, three
     licenses have been given.  More licensees are expected to be
     announced at Comdex.

(CRN,10/31/88,p65)

IBM's Database Manager really a DB2 clone. IBM's strategic goal
of permitting pcs to "talk" to mainframes has several components,
including Extended Edition's Database Manager. Database Manager,
a stand-alone PC database based on SQL, is composed of two parts:

     Query Manager front end

     Database Services for back-end processing.

According to John Soyring, Manager of Extended Edition's
Programming Center, Database Manager represents 90% of DB2's
functionality.  He also said Database Manager should primarily
interact with SQL-based DB2 databases.  He estimates that users
will receive over 10 times their investments in these systems,
contending that Database Manager's eventual compliance with SAA
and CUI will cut implementation and training costs.  IBM
presently says 30% to 35% of a system's cost is attributed to
hardware and software, while operational concerns and training
eat the remained of the cost.  Users who are not familiar with
SQL or DB2 find Database Manager harder to learn than other DOS
databases.  Many keystrokes are similar to DB2's Query Managment
Facility.  

Database Manager still awaits future products to provide a full
implementation.  Future planned enhancements include:

     Remote Data Services to permit remote execution of queries,
     transforming the product into a database engine.

     SNA LAN gateway, to enable PC LANs to communicate with
     mainframes.

Critics call Database Manager a kludge which needlessly steals
valuable server and workstation resources.  According to
Microsoft, workstations only need the front end; the engine can
perform processing rather than providing a complete database-
management system for every workstation.  Proponents point to the
Query Manager as one of its biggest advantages, transforming
Database manager into an end-user product.   (CRN,10/31/88,p75)

IBM's Extended Edition Database Management system will make an
impact in the distributed DBMS field. Most industry vendors
concede IBM's product an inevitable market-share percentage, but
say that it appears to be developing slowly, with many of its
more critical components in the R&D stage.  (PCWeek,10/31/88,p49)