Update For Data-Management AppUpdate For Data-Management App

OuterBay Technologies Inc. is releasing an update of its Application Data Management software for managing enterprise-application data in a cost-effective manner. ADM 3 sports enhancements such as new tools for projecting data growth and moving inactive data out of production databases.

Data within the typical business is growing 125% every year, according to the analytical firm Meta Group. Up to 80% of that data isn't accessed regularly and yet is stored in production databases running on expensive storage hardware. OuterBay's software moves inactive data out of production systems and onto less-expensive storage media, reducing costs and improving the performance of production databases and the apps running on them.

Improved application performance and better use of hardware resources such as storage systems are the primary benefits of implementing OuterBay's technology, says AMR Research analyst Dennis Gaughan. "Both of these are critical today when the percentage of IT budget that is tied to fixed costs is hovering around 80% to 90%. Being able to improve utilization and performance of the existing infrastructure helps free up money for high-value projects that otherwise wouldn't get attention," he says.

ADM 3 has new tools that monitor, model, and forecast data growth to help IT managers develop data-retention policies. A new LiveArchive feature improves the product's data life-cycle management capabilities by relocating inactive data to less-expensive storage systems while still providing real-time access to the data.

Database managers can use a new instance-generator tool to create subsets of production databases for testing and development tasks. The new release also includes a developers' edition that companies use to extend the software's capabilities to custom-built or customized applications and databases.

ADM 3 supports Oracle and PeopleSoft apps and Oracle, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, and Sybase databases. Support for SAP and Siebel apps are planned for future releases. The product will be available July 15, priced starting at $50,000 depending on configuration and database size.