Progress Unveils Cloud Data Connector

November 13, 2012 Alex Woodie

Progress Software last week unveiled DataDirect Cloud, a new data integration service designed to access cloud-based databases, such as those running on Salesforce.com, Amazon Relational Data Service, and Microsoft SQL Azure, from on-premise tools and business intelligence software. The software is entering beta tests and is expected to be available next year.

DataDirect Cloud uses standard ODBC and JDBC drivers to access cloud-based data sources, just as Progress subsidiary DataDirect‘s on-premise integration tools are used to access on-premise databases, such as Oracle 11g, SQL Server, DB2/400, and other data sources. The new offering eliminates the need to learn proprietary APIs, use straight SQL, or manually access data residing in cloud-based applications, including hosted ERP systems like NetSuite, payroll providers, social network data feeds, hosted big data providers, and myriad other hosted applications and data sources.

DataDirect Cloud is a software as a service (SaaS) offering, and does not require any download or software installations. The offering streams data in real-time from the source database into on-premise apps, such as business intelligence, ETL, business process management (BPM), and enterprise service bus (ESB) offerings. There is also a Web-based query development tool that allows interaction with SaaS data without any on-premise software. ISVs will also be able to embed DataDirect Cloud calls directly within their applications.

Progress is taking applications now for customers who want to participate in the DataDirect Cloud beta program, which starts in January. The product is scheduled to be available in the second quarter. For more info, see cloud.datadirect.com.