DB2 Magazine E-Newsletter

September 20, 2006

DB2 Magazine Email Newsletter
Volume 7, Issue 9
http://www.db2mag.com/

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IN THIS ISSUE:

1. From the Editor
   * Five Steps to DB2 9
   * DB2 9 articles online
2. Poll Positions
   * When will you migrate to DB2 9?
3. Must Read
   * Mastering the SAP Business Information Warehouse
4. Webcasts, Podcasts, and Tutorials
   * All about integration
5. Skills Set
   * The latest free materials, tutorials, and discounts for IBM
     certification programs
6. In the Zone
   * The latest DB2 and Informix articles from developerWorks

****SPONSOR: Quest Software****

Manage Your Complete DB2 Environment
What factors affect performance in your multi-platform DB2
environment? Find out in the new Quest Software white paper, "Managing
Performance in a Heterogeneous DB2 Environment."  Get expert tips to combat performance problems in DB2 running on LUW and z/OS.

Read the free white paper now.
http://www.quest.com/landing/?id=649

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1. FROM THE EDITOR: FIVE STEPS TO DB2 9

* After reading about the new features in DB2 9 (hybrid
XML/relational engine, compression technology, range partitioning, and the like) you may be thinking about migrating another vendor's DBMS software to DB2 9. Despite all the new features, the work involved can be intimidating. IBM's Manas Dadakar shows you how to take the pain out of the process in a new article on DB2mag.com. Dadakar explains IBM's automated Migration Toolkit, which customizes objects to your specifications. This month, you can also browse recent DB2 9 articles and download a new e-book on XML. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions about the magazine and this newsletter -- write to me at db2mag at cmp.com.--Kim Moutsos
--Read "Migrate to DB2 in Five Easy Steps."
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193000876
--Download the e-book Spotlight on XML.
http://www.db2mag.com/
--Browse DB2 9 articles.
http://www.db2mag.com/db_area/archives/2006/q3
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=167100937

2. POLL POSITIONS

* Tell us about your migration plans, whether from an older DB2 release or from another vendor's platform.
--Let your opinion be known.
http://www.db2magazine.com/

****SPONSOR: Justsystems****

xfy is a Diamond Sponsor of IBM Information On Demand 2006.
Come visit us at Booth D403 and get more information in our sessions.
http://www.xfy.com/press/events/iod2006.html?m=xfyiod0920

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3. MUST READS

* Mastering the SAP Business Information Warehouse
by Kevin McDonald, Andreas Wilmsmeier, David C. Dixon, W. H. Inmon

Written by SAP insiders, the second edition of this comprehensive guide presents up-to-date information about how to use SAP BW to design, build, deploy, populate, access, analyze, present, and administer data. A companion Web site contains sample chapters in wiki format and the authors' blog, where readers can enter discussions about the book and SAP.
--Check out this book.
http://www.db2mag.com/bookstore/

4. IBM WEBCASTS, PODCASTS, AND TUTORIALS

* Interactive Presentation: IBM Information Server, Data Quality, and Your Business
Michael Curry, IBM Information Integration program director, explains the processes and best practices for data quality and how to set up a successful data quality program in your business.
--Learn more.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/sw-library/en_US/detail/Z442217T08044D85.html

* Interactive Presentation: New Requirements for Data Warehouses
The data warehouse is changing from an end-point for offline reporting to an operational source of authoritative information. Keith Kohl, Program Director of Product Management in IBM Information Integration Solutions, gives an overview of the new requirements for data warehousing, along with capabilities in the IBM Information Server that support them.
--Learn more.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/sw-library/en_US/detail/P343095N96878N32.html
--Listen to the podcast.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/sw-library/en_US/detail/S084068Z97837I47.html

* IBM Information Server Interactive Overview
IBM Information Server helps organizations derive more value from the complex, heterogeneous information spread across their systems.
This interactive presentation provides an overview of this new platform for data integration.
--Learn more.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/sw-library/en_US/detail/P807168Z99664G43.html

* Webcast Replay: Leveraging EII/EAI/ETL Integration Strategies The integration landscape is changing as technologies such as enterprise application integration, enterprise information integration, and extract transform and load continue to converge. This one-hour Webcast defines EAI, EII, and ETL and demonstrates when to use each.
--Download the Webcast.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/sw-events/webcast/R523798R15564P58.html

* Webcast Replay: Enabling Consistent Enterprise Visibility:
Delivering Information as a Service for SOA
SOA can lead to systems revitalization, process flexibility, and information sharing. This Webcast focuses on service-enabling information delivery within an SOA and lists steps companies can take to modernize systems and make critical information more available, consistent, and trustworthy.
--Watch the replay.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/sw-events/webcast/J993006K89268C63.html

****SPONSOR: SAP*************

SAP will be a Diamond Sponsor at the upcoming IOD Conference. Please visit our booth (No. 402) to learn more about SAP applications and how they are designed to run best on IBM Information Management Infrastructure.
http://www.sap.com/usa/index.epx

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5. SKILLS SET

* Information On Demand 2006 Pre-Conference Technical Education IBM is offering 14 unique pre-conference technical training courses, as well as certification preparation courses, to all registered attendees at Information On Demand 2006 in Anaheim, CA. These in-depth technical training courses are offered Sunday, October 15, 2006, at a discounted rate. Space is limited; register early to ensure your seat.
--Browse a list of courses.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/ondemandbusiness/conf2006/courses.html

* New IBM Alphablox Certification
A new Alphablox certification exam covers the fundamental concepts of relational and multidimensional database technologies and the skills required to design, develop, and support custom analytical applications. To earn the IBM Certified Solution Developer -- IBM Alphablox credential, you'll have to pass the Alphablox Certification Exam 715 as well as its prerequisites.
--Get more information.
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/absdiblox.shtml

* Coming soon: DB2 9 New Features Book
IBM DB2 9 New Features (IBM Press), by Paul Zikopoulos, George Baklarz, Leon Katsnelson, and Chris Eaton, is now available for pre-order from Amazon.com. The book offers a concise roadmap to IBM DB2 9 features such as "pureXML" and deep compression capabilities.
--Read developerWorks blogger Susan Visser's assessment
http://www-03.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/SusanVisser?entry=db2_9_new_features_book
--Learn more about the book.
http://www.amazon.com/IBM-DB2-9-New-Features/ dp/0072264594/sr=1-1/qid=1158560367/ ref=sr_1_1/104-6163354-5280763?ie=UTF8&s= books

* Complimentary Certification at IBM Information On Demand 2006
Conference attendees can take up to three certification exams at no cost. Choose from IBM Information Management, WebSphere, Rational, Tivoli, and Lotus certification exams, including new tests on XML, Content Management OnDemand, DB2 9, Informix 10, Alphablox, and DB2 Data Warehouse Edition.
--Find out more.
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/process/iod.shtml

* DB2 9 Fundamentals Exam 730 Tutorials
These seven tutorials cover each section of the new DB2 9 Fundamentals exam. Topics include an introduction to SQL, DB2 9 packaging and installation, how to create databases and database objects, database security, and transaction isolation. Each takes about an hour to complete.
--Take the tutorials online or download a PDF or zip file.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/education/selfstudy.html#5

* DB2 9 DBA Exam 731 Tutorial Series
This new series of seven tutorials prepares you for the new DB2 9 database administration exam introduced this month. The tutorials cover topics related to designing, implementing, and administering databases and reducing the time needed to create an application.
--Download the tutorials or take them online.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/education/selfstudy.html#5

* New IBM Content Management - OnDemand Certification
IBM introduced the new Certified Solutions Expert IBM Content Management -- OnDemand credential. To achieve this certification, candidates must pass IBM Content Management -- OnDemand Exam 444. --Learn more about the new exam.
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/cmseondem.shtml

6. IN THE ZONE

* DB2 Developer Workbench and Stored Procedures
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/dm-dw-dm-0609eaton-i.html?S_TACT=105AGX11&S_CMP=WN

* Mine DB2 XML Columns with DB2 Data Warehouse Edition Data Mining
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/techarticle/dm-0609bendel/

* Transform Information Integrator Event Publisher Messages
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0609_matthews/0609_matthews.html

* XML Data Solutions with xfy and DB2 9, Part 2
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/techarticle/dm-0609giddings/

* Invoke WebSphere Business Processes from a DB2 Database
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0609_peterson/0609_peterson.html

* Webcast: Unlock your XML Potential with IBM DB2 9 pureXML
http://www.bulldogsolutions.net/IBMDB2/IBD09202006/index.aspx

****SPONSOR: Information On Demand 2006****

Register Today: IBM Information On Demand 2006
IBM Information On Demand 2006, October 15-20th, 2006, Anaheim, CA.
The premier information management event for business and IT professionals.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/ondemandbusiness/conf2006/

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