IBM Incorporates DataMirror Into InfoSphere Software

April 22, 2008 Alex Woodie

Users of DataMirror’s old data integration tools, including the popular Transformation Server, were finally given an upgrade last week when IBM delivered InfoSphere Change Data Capture version 6.2. The software giant also launched InfoSphere Change Data Capture for Oracle Replication version 3.1, an update on DataMirror’s old iReflect integration tool specifically for Oracle database environments.

When IBM bought DataMirror last year, it primarily did so to get its hands on Transformation Server, which had built up a solid following for its strong showing in the field of real-time data integration and transformation. While DataMirror also had a large base of customers using its iCluster and High Availability Suite products for IBM’s iSeries and System i servers, it was mostly Transformation Server and its capability to quickly accomplish tasks such as loading a data warehouse with production data sitting on disparate DB2, SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, Teradata, and Informix databases that piqued Big Blue’s interest.

Last week, IBM announced a series of InfoSphere replacement products for Transformation Server and the bevy of other data-manipulation tools that the Markham, Ontario, software company had developed. The capabilities offered by Transformation Server, the TS Event Server, and DataMirror Live Audit are now incorporated into IBM i.

InfoSphere Change Data Capture version 6.2. It was the first new release of the software under IBM’s hands, and the first since DataMirror launched Transformation Server 6.0 over a year ago.

TS products for the IBM mainframe are now incorporated into a separate product called Information Server Change for DB2 on OS/390, while iReflect becomes InfoSphere Change Data Capture for Oracle Replication. Several old DataMirror products, including Constellar Hub, DB/XML, and ERP Gateway, have no upgrade available to them.

There are a number of indicated uses for InfoSphere Change Data Capture, according to IBM, most of which are a variation on the “master database,” or “one version of the truth” theme.

For example, multi-channel retailers may use the software to keep a wedding registry up to date and ensure that duplicate products aren’t purchased. It could also be used by public companies that need to consolidate their financial reports. The software could also be used during ERP migrations or upgrades, or simply to relieve the strain on core production systems by moving auxiliary processes such as billing or claims processing–or less important activities, such as running backups or serving a public Web site–to other servers.

InfoSphere Change Data Capture supports DB2/400, DB2 UDB, SQL Server, Oracle, Informix, and Teradata databases running on the IBM i OS (formerly known as i5/OS and OS/400, and quite humorously referred to as “OS/500” by IBM in its software announcement), AIX, Solaris, HP-UX, Red Hat and SuSE Linuxes, Windows, and Tru64.

Interestingly, the hardware requirements for InfoSphere Change Data Capture running on IBM System i hardware are considerably less than they are for other database/operating system combinations.