IBM United States Announcement , dated March 11, 2008

Transcription

1 IBM United States Announcement , dated March 11, 2008 IBM Information Server FastTrack accelerates the translation of business requirements into data integration projects that solve strategic business problems Description...2 Education support...4 Offering Information...4 Publications... 4 Technical information...5 Ordering information...6 Terms and conditions... 7 Prices...8 Order now...9 At a glance IBM Information Server FastTrack is a core module in the IBM Information Server integration platform that: Accelerates the translation of business requirements into completed data integration projects. Promotes cross-team collaboration, increases automation, and ensures that projects are completed successfully and on time. Simplifies and improves communication between the business analyst and developer. The job of the business analyst is to translate business requirements into technical specifications; the job of the developer is to implement these requirements and produce an integrated data application. Breaks down traditional barriers to coordination across multiple user roles and products and puts the emphasis, where needed, on solving business problems. For ordering, contact: Your IBM representative or the Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL Reference: YE001 Overview IBM Information Server FastTrack accelerates the deployment of data integration projects by focusing on what historically has been a manual translation of business requirements into technical implementation. For an enterprise integration project to meet business requirements and be completed on schedule and within the defined budget constraints, business analysts, data modelers, and developers must collaborate more effectively. Valuable development time is often spent not on programming or designing solutions but on managing and translating differences in languages, skills, working methods, and synchronizing tool output. In a typical project workflow, the data modeler begins with either the IBM Industry Models or an internally defined source and target. These structures are then sent to the business analyst who manually defines the required source-to-target mappings, based on their understanding of the data structures as a result of profiling with WebSphere Information Analyzer. These mappings are often stored in an Excel spreadsheet, which is then printed and sent to the developer to manually convert into an extraction, transformation, and load job. The lack of automation and audit trails in these labor-intensive processes slows the project, increases the potential for errors, and minimizes the possibility of reuse by other staff members on subsequent new projects. Using IBM Information Server FastTrack, business analysts can: IBM United States Announcement IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 1

2 Specify business transformation rules, including joins, lookups, data filters, and function logic. Leverage the results of profiling with WebSphere Information Analyzer to ensure the most complete requirements are captured up-front prior to beginning development. Perform automated match discovery to aid in the automation of data mappings. Create WebSphere Business Glossary terms and define the linkage to physical column structures. Apply naming standards for generated data definition language. Generate framework WebSphere DataStage jobs with in-line instruction-specific annotations. Optionally, import existing Microsoft Excel spreadsheets into FastTrack to be converted into DataStage jobs. Store all information in a single, central repository. This allows the business specification to serve as an audit trail on design decisions made during the development process. It also promotes re-use by multiple development teams using the Information Server platform. For enterprises of all sizes, IBM Information Server FastTrack speeds time to value for strategic initiatives by accelerating the translation of business requirements into completed data integration projects that solve complex business problems. Refer to , dated December 12, Key prerequisites Refer to the Hardware requirements and Software requirements sections. Planned availability dates March 11, 2008 (electronic software delivery) March 28, 2008 (media and documentation) Description The key to successful development depends on the method used to accelerate and automate the translation of business requirements into finished data integration applications. All generated metadata is stored centrally in the IBM WebSphere Metadata Server for leverage across the entire Information Server integration platform. IBM Information Server FastTrack is designed to minimize manual effort during design cycles and yet have the maximum impact on downstream development activities. Key features Ability to capture advanced business rule logic. Business analysts have the option to use the familiar spreadsheet Excel or the IBM Information Server FastTrack interface. The ability to document business-specific rules, calculations, joins, lookups, filtering criteria, and other business transformation logic directly in IBM Information Server FastTrack facilitates historical tracking and re-use. Analysts can leverage published profiling results from WebSphere Information Analyzer during this process to ensure mapping rules are complete. Benefit: Improves project success rates of strategic initiatives by ensuring that business requirements are consistently captured and fully incorporated into technical solutions. Automated WebSphere DataStage job generation. IBM Information Server FastTrack automates parallel extraction, transformation, and load job generation with the option to combine multiple specifications into a single job in support of large development projects. Specific business rule annotations appear within the context of the generated job so no requirements are overlooked. Benefit: Speeds time-to-value for business projects by automating the supporting data integration processes. Customizable spreadsheet view. Enables you to annotate column mappings with business rules and transformation logic and view detailed asset properties, including an expandable IBM United States Announcement IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 2

3 view of business terms and physical metadata descriptions. Benefit: Promotes ease of use with seamless incorporation of business requirements. Automated discovery of relationships. IBM Information Server FastTrack features discovery algorithms to locate exact, partial, and lexical matches on corresponding column names across source-to-target structures and present the result in a simple, easy-to-use format. Benefit: Minimizes risk of data misunderstanding, which often causes rework, missed project deadlines, and over-extended budgets. Ability to import data from Excel spreadsheets and.csv formats. Allows you to import data from existing spreadsheets to start new specifications. It also enables data to be exported into.csv formats. Benefit: Support for common exchange mechanisms aligns with corporate standards and policies. Flexible reporting capabilities. Enables you to view column-level mappings, table-level mappings, and lookups, as well as manage and track metadata across the integration design life cycle. Common Web-based templates allow the creation of mapping specification reports for communication with development and management teams. Benefit: Strengthened governance programs via common reporting supports auditing requirements from start to finish. Table-level mappings. Enables you to define new joins, filters, and case statements, while also leveraging existing table joins identified during profiling with IBM WebSphere Information Analyzer. Benefit: Increases collaboration among business analysts, developers, and data architects by eliminating manual effort and the risk of misinterpretation by clearly defining what is needed for each role. Lookup support. Allows you to define lookups that generate the "lookup stage" in the generated integration job. These lookups are searchable and are designed for re-use. Benefit: Streamlines communication by eliminating the rewriting of documentation and interpreting others' requirements. Generate Data Definition Language (DDL). This option allows data modelers and developers to generate a target data model, if one does not currently exist, either manually or from business terms. It includes the ability to apply naming standards (for example, customer account mapped to a CUST_ACCT column). Benefit: Increases productivity of developers by automatically translating business logic into physical structures. Create and link business glossary terms to assets. Business analysts can create new business terms and document their relationship to corresponding physical columns as part of the mapping process. This information is stored centrally in a single location so other development teams utilizing the Information Server platform have a complete business view. Benefit: Improved data governance and auditing capabilities by providing a centralized, managed location for business terminology, project specifications, and requirements. Accessibility by people with disabilities A U.S. Section 508 Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) can be requested via the IBM Web site IPLA and Subscription and Support considerations IPLA licenses can be transferred from one machine to another within, but not limited to an enterprise. You may aggregate the capacity for all the processors the product is operated on to achieve a more economic price. This will result in a single Proof of Entitlement (PoE). It is your IBM United States Announcement IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 3

4 responsibility to manage the distribution of Value Units within the limits of the entitlement of the product license. Subscription and Support must cover the same capacity as the product license entitlement. Subscription and Support will be available in the country in which the agreement is made. Product description Language GA date Information Server FastTrack English March 28, 2008 V8.0.1 Trademarks WebSphere and DataStage are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. Education support Available training offerings include client on-site training, public training at IBM facilities, and remote learning via FlexLearning. Through client on-site training, IBM delivers standard or customized training to meet the requirements of its clients. IBM can also provide mobile academies for a rental fee to minimize clients' setup activities. IBM public training simplifies the process by providing the complete environment for standard course deliveries and giving students the ability to learn without the distractions of everyday responsibilities. Public training is offered on a regular schedule worldwide. For more information on public instructor-led training, visit The newly enhanced FlexLearning program enables clients to attend training on their own schedule at their own location. This program offers state-of-the-art technology to deliver highly valuable training at minimum cost. All current courses are approximately three hours in length and offer a valuable learn-by-doing, self-paced format. For more information on any of the training offerings, contact iiseduc@us.ibm.com Offering Information Product information is available via the Offering Information Web site Also, visit the Passport Advantage Web site Publications Publications provided with the product A printed Quick Start Guide is provided in the product package. The Quick Start Guide is also available from the product's Support page on ibm.com (using the Product documentation link). Information Center Documentation for IBM Information Server FastTrack is installed in the Information Server Information Center when you install the product. The Information Center is also available at IBM United States Announcement IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 4

5 focenter/iisinfsv/v8r0/index.jsp The IBM Publications Center Publications for IBM Information Server products are provided on a CD in the product package. Publications can also be obtained from the IBM Publications Center at The Publications Center is a worldwide central repository for IBM product publications and marketing material with a catalog of 70,000 items. Extensive search facilities are provided. Printed publications can be ordered from the IBM Publications Center; payment options for orders are via credit card (in the U.S.) or customer number for 20 countries. A large number of publications are available online in various file formats, and those with order numbers that begin with SC or GC can be downloaded by all countries free of charge. Books with order numbers that begin with LC can be purchased by customers with an active product license for the related product. The following table includes the title and order number that can be used to locate the applicable publications on the IBM Publications Center. Title IBM Information Server FastTrack Tutorial Order number LC Technical information IBM Information Server FastTrack has the same system requirements as IBM Information Server. Hardware requirements: The exact configuration you need to support your environment with satisfactory processing time will vary depending on multiple factors. Processing times vary depending on server speed, memory, and network and server workload. The listed minimum recommended configurations listed below need to be evaluated and adjusted according to your unique requirements. Disk space recommendations are for the product installation and working space only. The actual hard disk space required varies, depending upon your installation. Refer to the IBM Information Server Planning, Configuration, and Installation Guide for more information. Refer also to the Release notes found on the product media. The most current and complete information on hardware requirements is available at tion/information_server/requirements.html The IBM Information Server FastTrack client has the following system requirements: Disk space: 500 MB minimum Memory: 1 GB of RAM minimum; 2 GB of RAM recommended Software requirements IBM Information Server with FixPack 1a should be installed. The metadata repository and domain layer of IBM Information Server are mandatory. WebSphere DataStage must be installed if DataStage job generation functionality is to be used. WebSphere Information Analyzer must be installed if leveraging profiling results. WebSphere Business Glossary must be installed if publishing business terms. Operating systems supported: Server: Windows Server 2003 (SP1 and SP2) IBM United States Announcement IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 5

6 IBM AIX 5.3 Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 4.0 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 on Intel x86 Client: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (SP2) Windows Vista Refer to the IBM Information Server Planning, Configuration, and Installation Guide for more information. Refer also to the Release notes found on the product media. The most current and complete information on software requirements is available at tion/information_server/requirements.html Planning information Packaging: The IBM Information Server FastTrack software is shipped on a single CD-ROM that includes all supported platforms. The CD-ROM contains the IBM license agreement and programming code. Security, auditability, and control These products use the security and auditability features of the host hardware or software. The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities. Software Services Services from IBM Information Platform and Solutions complement the IBM Information Server platform. You can leverage the deep technical skills and proven methodologies based on years of accumulated knowledge and experience, gained through hundreds of successful implementations. The IBM Information Platform and Solutions Professional Services team offers a wide range of services-related packages that are designed to help you achieve success in the design, implementation, and rollout of your information integration projects. To learn more about IBM Information Platform and Solution Professional Services or contact a services representative, visit We also extend our IBM Software Services reach through IBM Business Partners to provide an unmatched portfolio of capabilities. Together, we provide the global reach, intellectual capital, industry insight, and technology leadership to support any critical business need. To locate an IBM Business Partner, visit Ordering information This product is only available via Passport Advantage. It is not available as shrinkwrap. Product information Product Licensed function title Product group category IBM Information Server FastTrack Information IBM Integration Information Solutions Server IBM United States Announcement IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 6

7 Program name PID Charge unit number description IBM Information Server FastTrack 5724-Q36 10 Authorized Users Charge metrics definitions Authorized user An authorized user is one and only one individual (named or unnamed) within or outside your enterprise. A Proof of Entitlement (PoE) must be obtained for each individual user accessing the program in any manner. A program licensed under an authorized user PoE may be installed on a single computer or server, and accessed by multiple users, provided that a PoE has been obtained for each individual user accessing the program either directly or indirectly (via a multiplexing program, device, or application server) through any means on behalf of the user. Passport Advantage program licenses IBM Information Server Part description IBM Information Server FastTrack Information Server FastTrack 10 Authorized Users ANNUAL SW MAINT RNWL Information Server FastTrack 10 Authorized Users LIC+SW MAINT 12 MO Information Server FastTrack 10 Authorized Users SW MAINT REINSTATE 12 MO Passport Advantage supply Program name/description Part number E04JSLL D03JMLL D03JNLL Part number Information Server FastTrack V8.0.1 Information Server FastTrack SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES),Windows V Passport Advantage customer: Media pack entitlement details BY02REN Customers with active maintenance or subscription for the products listed are entitled to receive the corresponding media pack. Information Server FastTrack V8.0.1 Entitled maintenance Part offerings description Media packs description number IBM Information Server Information Server BY02REN FastTrack 10 Authorized FastTrack SUSE Linux Users Enterprise Server (SLES),Windows V Terms and conditions The information provided in this announcement letter is for reference and convenience purposes only. The terms and conditions that govern any transaction with IBM are contained in the applicable contract documents such as the IBM International Program License Agreement, IBM International Passport Advantage Agreement, and the IBM Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance. Licensing: IBM International Program License Agreement including the License Information document and PoE govern your use of the Program. PoEs are required for all authorized use. Part number products only, offered outside of Passport Advantage, where applicable, are license only and do not include Software Maintenance. License Information form number IBM United States Announcement IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 7

8 Program Program name number Form number IBM Information Server 5724-Q36 L-GMET-77PNRG The program's License Information will be available for review on the IBM Software License Agreement Web site Limited warranty applies: Yes Money-back guarantee: If for any reason you are dissatisfied with the program and you are the original licensee, you may obtain a refund of the amount you paid for it, if within 30 days of your invoice date you return the program and its PoE to the party from whom you obtained it. If you downloaded the program, you may contact the party from whom you acquired it for instructions on how to obtain the refund. For programs acquired under the IBM International Passport Advantage Agreement, this term applies only to your first acquisition of the program. Authorization for use on home/portable computer: The program may be stored on the primary machine and another machine, provided that the program is not in active use on both machines at the same time. You may not copy and use this program on another computer without paying additional license fees. Product name IBM Information Server No Usage restriction: Yes Refer to the License Information document that is available on the IBM Software License Agreement Web site Passport Advantage applies: Yes, and through the Passport Advantage Web site at This product is only available via Passport Advantage. It is not available as shrinkwrap. Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance: The following agreement applies for maintenance and does not require customer signatures: IBM Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance (Z ) Other terms Volume orders (IVO): No IBM Operational Support Services SoftwareXcel: No System i Software Maintenance applies: No Educational allowance available: Not applicable Prices The charges are unchanged by this announcement. IBM Global Financing IBM United States Announcement IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 8

9 IBM Global Financing offers competitive financing to credit-qualified customers to assist them in acquiring IT solutions. Offerings include financing for IT acquisition, including hardware, software, and services, both from IBM and other manufacturers or vendors. Offerings (for all customer segments: small, medium, and large enterprise), rates, terms, and availability can vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global Financing organization or visit IBM Global Financing offerings are provided through IBM Credit LLC in the United States, and other IBM subsidiaries and divisions worldwide to qualified commercial and government customers. Rates are based on a customer's credit rating, financing terms, offering type, equipment type, and options, and may vary by country. Other restrictions may apply. Rates and offerings are subject to change, extension, or withdrawal without notice. Order now To order, contact the Americas Call Centers or your local IBM representative. To identify your local IBM representative, call 800-IBM-4YOU ( ). Phone: 800-IBM-CALL ( ) Fax: 800-2IBM-FAX ( ) Internet: callserv@ca.ibm.com Mail: IBM Teleweb Customer Support ibm.com Sales Execution Center, Americas North 3500 Steeles Ave. East, Tower 3/4 Markham, Ontario Canada L3R 2Z1 Reference: YE001 The Americas Call Centers, our national direct marketing organization, can add your name to the mailing list for catalogs of IBM products. Note: Shipments will begin after the planned availability date. Trademarks System i is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both. Passport Advantage, DataStage, WebSphere, and AIX are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Windows, Microsoft, and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries or both. Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. This announcement is provided for your information only. For additional information, contact your IBM representative, call 800-IBM-4YOU, or visit the IBM home page at: IBM United States Announcement IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 9