IBM Updates DB2 Web Query

October 12, 2010 Alex Woodie

IBM last week delivered a new release of DB2 Web Query, an IBM i business intelligence product based on technology it OEMs from Information Builders. The new release, version 1.1.2, gets deeper hooks into JD Edwards World and EnterpriseOne databases, enhancements to the report authoring tool, and the availability of customized implementation of DB2 Web Query through IBM Lab Services.

DB2 Web Query is a special version of Information Builders’ WebFOCUS software that IBM announced in 2007. The Java-based software enables users to write queries for the DB2 for i (DB2/400) database and view the results in a Web browser. It’s a more graphical and feature-rich replacement for IBM’s Query/400, and has been a popular seller for the last three years.

JD Edwards shops get a new database adapter with DB2 Web Query version 1.1.2. The new adapter allows DB2 Web Query to report on data stored in World or EnterpriseOne databases within DB2/400. IBM says the adapter provides “a level of seamless integration” to simplify report writing. Also, by taking JD Edwards metadata and security into account, the new adapter also helps to preserve data integrity and security during report execution, IBM says.

IBM also consolidated the various report-writing tools into a single report-authoring tool in version 1.1.2. The new authoring tool uses Microsoft‘s Ribbon user interface, which should make it easy for people who are familiar with MS Office to get up to speed with writing DB2 Web Query reports.

Customers who are interested in integrating DB2 Web Query into their existing applications, or in obtaining a highly customized version of DB2 Web Query, can now do so through the new Application Extensions, which are available only through IBM Lab Services.

DB2 Web Query version 1.1.2 becomes available on December 10. For more information, see IBM United States Software Announcement 210-280 (pdf).