DATABASE ADMINISTRATION
Simplify Database Comparison and Synchronization
Red Gate Software announced SQL Bundle 5, a set of database comparison and packaging tools that includes SQL Compare, SQL Data Compare, and DTS Package Compare. SQL Bundle 5 features new enhancements to UIs, project-management capabilities, data views, and automation. Of particular note are the upgrades to SQL Compare. With the newest release, you can push changes from development to staging, test, and live environments. You can also create a single script for migrating database changes, and keep an audit trail of all changes. Pricing for SQL Bundle starts at $490. For more information, contact Red Gate Software at 866-733-4283, [email protected], [email protected], or http://www.red-gate.com.
DATABASE ADMINISTRATION
Compare SQL Server Databases
Kentico Software announced Kentico Compare SQL, a tool that lets you compare table definitions, table views, stored procedures, and functions between your SQL Server 2005, 2000, and 2005 Express databases. You specify the source and target databases, and Compare SQL reads the structure of both databases and displays any differences. A free trial is available for download. Pricing for Kentico Compare SQL starts at $49 for a single-user license. For more information, contact Kentico Software at 888-225-2767, [email protected], or http://www.comparesql.com.
DATABASE MODELING
Model, Create, and Maintain Databases
Datanamic announced DeZign for Databases 4, a database design and modeling tool. In the latest release, a new built-in utility lets you compare two data-model versions, then export the differences to an HTML file. DeZign for Databases features configurable HTML, PDF, and Microsoft Word reports, letting you configure the elements you want to include when you generate your data-model reports. The product also features integrated reverse-engineering support. For more information, contact Datanamic at http://www.datanamic.com.
DATABASE TESTING TOOL
Automatically Create Test Data
Grid-Tools announced GT Datamaker 1.9, a database-testing tool that now supports IBM DB2 and MySQL in addition to its existing support for SQL Server and Oracle. GT Datamaker provides test data for different cases in your production environment.The product can model your existing data or build new sets of test data.You can also create standard test cases that act as the base for all new test cases, providing data-inheritance capabilities. Any changes you make to standard cases will be applied to all inheriting test cases. You can also build a test-data repository so that you can control and reuse test cases. For more information, contact Grid-Tools at 914-595-1710, [email protected], or http://www.grid-tools.com.
PERFORMANCE-MONITORING
Anticipate User and Management Problems
Heroix announced upgrades to its agentless performance-monitoring and reporting software, Longitude 3.A new feature in this release, Event Correlation, lets you detect situations unique to your business, customize notifications, and make the best use of your existing staff without requiring them to learn a scripting language. Enhanced service-level agreement (SLA) monitoring, reporting, and events show performance from a business perspective and help you anticipate user and management problems. Longitude also features email notification, SNMP trap notification, and automated corrective actions. You can manage all actions or notifications through a single interface. For more information, contact Heroix at 617-527-1550, 800-229-6500, [email protected], [email protected], or http://www.heroix.com.
COMPLIANCE
Audit User Activity Across Platforms
Consul announced the Consul InSight Suite, a compliance monitoring and reporting solution for SQL Server, Oracle, IBM DB2, IBM UDB, and Sybase. InSight monitors both trusted and privileged user activity and delivers customized audit reports through its dashboard. The product includes hundreds of reports that deliver information about sensitive data access, system access, privileged activity, and operational change control. Consul InSight can also extend its database auditing to applications, OSs, and security devices. Pricing for Consul Insight starts at $25,000. For more information, contact Consul at 925-236-5000, 800-879-2273, or http://www.consul.com.
XML DEVELOPMENT TOOL
Simplify XML Data-Integration Tasks
Stylus Studio announced Stylus Studio 2006 Release 2 XML Enterprise Edition, an XML IDE with new Java adapter components that give you easy access to relational databases, EDI, flat files, and other legacy data from your Extensible Style Language Transformations (XSLT) style sheets or XQuery expressions. You can also invoke Web Services from XQuery and generate XQuery library documentation. Enhanced EDI support is also available. Pricing for Stylus Studio 2006 Release 2 XML Enterprise Edition starts at $795 for a single-user license. For more information, contact Stylus Studio at 781-280-4488 or http://www.stylusstudio.com.
TECHNICAL RESOURCE
Become Proficient in Writing SQL
O’Reilly released The Art of SQL, a book that teaches you how to employ best practices to write efficient SQL code. Authors Stephane Faroult and Peter Robson teach you to focus on strategy rather than specifics by diving into topics that include how to design databases for better performance, why and how to index, how to envision SQL statements, how physical implementation affects performance, and how to approach classic SQL patterns. The Art of SQL costs $44.99. For more information, contact O’Reilly at 707-827-7000, 800-998-9938, or http://www.oreilly.com.
