Centerfield Debuts Installation Service for DB2 Web Query

February 12, 2008 Alex Woodie

Centerfield Technology last week launched a new service offering aimed at saving System i shops time and money in the installation and configuration of DB2 Web Query, IBM‘s new graphical replacement for Query/400. Centerfield’s three-part service offering is accomplished remotely and includes installation of DB2 Web Query, migration of Query/400 reports, and fine tuning and advanced report design.

While DB2 Web Query provides considerably more functionality than Query/400, customers may be unprepared for the level of technical proficiency required to implement the new product in an efficient manner, according to Centerfield, the database performance experts based in Rochester, Minnesota.

Centerfield plans three services for DB2 Web Query. The first one is called the ICV Service, for installation, configuration, and verification (ICV) of the product’s functionality, according to Mark Holm, chief technology officer for Centerfield.

“While some shops may choose to do this step themselves,” Holm says, “our service offering can eliminate the one-time-only effort, reduce the number of required IPLs and avoid the common ‘gotchas’ when configuring any powerful piece of software, with the goal to save companies time, money, and probably even some frustration.”

As part of its ICV service, Centerfield will identify any additional PTFs, cumulative fix packs, or i5/OS components a customer will need to run DB2 Web Query (or to make the installation more reliable), and install these components. Once the server is prepared for installation, DB2 Web Query will be loaded and tested to ensure its running correctly.

Centerfield says this service, which will be done remotely, will consist two four-hour segments split over two days, and will cost between $900 and $1,200.

While this may sound like a lot of money to pay to install an IBM licensed product, the fact that Centerfield’s service will likely eliminate one IPL, at the very least, makes this service cost-efficient, according to the company. “Just the fact that we can eliminate one IPL (downtime) will be worth more than $900 to some accounts,” writes Jen Halverson, the company’s spokesperson.

Without a well-scripted approach to implementing DB2 Web Query, System i shops will likely find themselves hiring consultants to install the product for them, and that can quickly add up to more than Centerfield is asking for its ICV service.

Phase two of the offering is Query/400 Conversion Service. This service streamlines the process of moving customers’ Query/400 reports to DB2 Web Query, which supports and can run Query/400 reports.

The third phase, Report Enhancement Service, is designed to speed the implementation ofadvanced functions and improve the performance of DB2 Web Query. As part of this offering, Centerfield will work with upper management to make reports more dynamic and powerful, including the addition of color coding, graphics, drill-down capabilities, and business-specific Web portals.

For more information, visit Centerfield Technology’s Web site at www.centerfieldtechnology.com.