Information Builders Announces WebFOCUS(R) for IBM System z(R) Data Warehousing

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - January 26, 2010) - Information Builders, an independent leader in business intelligence (BI) solutions, today announced WebFOCUS® for IBM System z Data Warehousing, a specialized edition of the WebFOCUS System z product line. It is designed to offer a powerful, flexible, secure, and cost-effective tool for System z users interested in implementing enterprise-scale data warehousing and BI solutions while leveraging IBM native z/OS and zIIP specialty engine capabilities.

This offering complements IBM's Solution Edition for Data Warehousing to deliver a solid foundation for business intelligence workloads.

With thousands of new devices being connected to the Internet daily, enterprises continue to face challenges in on-demand computing, while the need for real-time information has become mission critical. WebFOCUS for System z Data Warehousing enables large enterprise customers to scale data warehousing and reporting solutions to quickly and easily meet the needs of an unlimited number of end users with existing System z infrastructure -- at a fraction of the cost of traditional distribution systems.

"In today's business environment, IT organizations want to leverage their investments in existing infrastructure when implementing solutions," said Gerald Cohen, president and CEO of Information Builders. "WebFOCUS for System z Data Warehousing provides large-scale IBM customers, with a significant investment in z/OS operating systems, solutions to implement data warehousing and business intelligence applications, avoiding the complexity and incremental hardware, software, and operational investments associated with distributed systems or dual-operating systems environments."

When responding to information-on-demand challenges, data warehousing and reporting in any industry needs to scale reliably and be implemented cost effectively. WebFOCUS for System z Data Warehousing delivers on both accounts, providing users unparalleled reliability and scalability, while significantly lowering the total cost of ownership.

WebFOCUS for System z Data Warehousing is a comprehensive suite of fully integrated implementation software products, which enable users of IBM's System z Solution Edition for Data Warehousing to design, build, deploy, and manage DB2-based enterprise data warehouses and BI applications at a fraction of the acquisition and operational costs. Users will also benefit from substantially lower total cost of ownership than comparable distributed systems or dual-operating environment solutions.

WebFOCUS for System z Data Warehousing is comprised of two, fully integrated software components: Data Loader for DB2 and Data Reporter for DB2.

Data Loader for DB2 is a specialized version of iWay Software's z/OS-based DataMigrator product, designed for optimal loading and management of IBM DB2 database data synchronization processes. Data Loader enables data warehouse implementers to load and synchronize DB2-based data warehouses on a batch, near real-time, or event-driven basis using more than 200 widely disparate databases, files, and application sources. Data Loader also enables implementers to design, manage, and audit data synchronization using graphic tools and, as an option, apply service-based data quality and cleaning processes at any point in the data synchronization process.

Data Reporter for DB2 is a specialized version of Information Builders' z/OS based WebFOCUS® BI platform, designed for building Internet-based BI applications or as a guided ad hoc query tool for businesses using a DB2 enterprise data warehouse. A highly graphic developer workbench enables developers to quickly and easily design, deploy, and manage Internet-based applications or query solutions for large or small user groups that don't require end user training or software licensing for each user.

WebFOCUS for System z Data Warehousing uses a common server, metadata, and data access architecture native to the z/OS environment, dramatically reducing the design, implementation, and operational complexity of data warehousing and BI solutions. Additionally, it uses System z zIIP's exploitive capabilities, dramatically reducing the operational costs of data synchronization, operational reporting, and ad hoc queries, compared to the same operations using System z generalized processors.

"Having more partners like Information Builders helps our mutual clients bring more workloads to System z, ultimately enhancing the long-term economic value of the platform," said Tom Rosamilia, general manager of System z at IBM. "Data warehousing and business intelligence are key growth areas for IBM clients as we help glean disparate business data into meaningful business opportunities."

WebFOCUS for IBM System z Data Warehousing is available now. Typical software configuration pricing is competitive and varies based upon the size of warehouse implementation. Special introductory pricing is also available. For more information, contact your local Information Builders or IBM sales representative.

About iWay Software

iWay Software's integration methodology is simple: it uses a single, integrated set of graphical design tools to assemble powerful pre-built components for enterprise-class business-to-business (B2B) integration, business process automation (BPA), or enterprise information management (EIM) integration scenarios -- without the use of custom code. Integration configurations can be deployed in a stand-alone manner to any environment supporting a JVM -- or to Web application servers from any vendor. iWay delivers the fastest, most cost-effective, and simplest way to integrate and streamline critical business processes. iWay Software's vendor-, platform-, and protocol-neutral solutions achieve the promise of SOA: true reusability. For more information visit: http://www.iwaysoftware.com

About Information Builders

Information Builders' award-winning combination of business intelligence and enterprise integration software has been providing innovative solutions to more than 12,000 customers for the past 30 years. WebFOCUS is the world's most widely utilized business intelligence platform. It provides the security, scalability, and flexibility needed at every level of global extended enterprises. Its simplicity helps create executive, analytical, and operational applications that reach dozens to millions of users. Information Builders' iWay Software suite provides state of the art, multi-purpose, pre-built integration components that address all SOA, application, data and information management requirements. Its integration adapters have been adopted by the leading software platform providers. Information Builders also offers solutions in the performance management, business activity monitoring, and enterprise search markets. The company's comprehensive enterprise product offerings give Information Builders' customers the ability to grow and innovate according to their needs.

Information Builders' customers include most of the Fortune 100 and U.S. federal government agencies. Headquartered in New York City with 90 offices worldwide, the company employs 1,450 people and has more than 350 business partners. More information is available at informationbuilders.com.

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Contact Information: Press Contacts Kathleen Moran Information Builders (917) 339-6313