IBM Introduces New Version of IMS Software

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today unveiled Information Management System (IMS) 10, a new hierarchical database management and transaction system that delivers enhanced XML and Web services capabilities, making easier for customers to better use information as a strategic asset by evolving existing business critical applications to Service Oriented Architectures (SOA) .

Initially developed to power the Apollo space program, IMS is recognized as the industry's first modern database and transaction management software. Over the past three decades, the reliability, security and performance of IMS has led it to become the backbone for much of the world's corporate data. In fact, almost ninety five percent of Fortune 1000 companies use IMS for their most critical IBM System z data management needs with more than 50 billion transactions running through IMS databases on a daily basis.
Today's announcement supports IBM's cross-company Information on Demand initiative which is helping global organizations use information for a competitive advantage. Specifically, IMS 10 features a range of new technologies and enhancements that will alter and improve the way information is stored, managed and accessed in mainframe computing environments.

"With IMS 10, standard XML Query language will be available to hierarchically structured data for the first time, delivering unprecedented versatility and information management options to IBM System z customers," said Arvind Krishna, vice president IBM data servers. "This will help customers simplify their development environments while continuing to realize the proven performance benefits and data integrity of IMS."

Early customer and partner tests and evaluations of IMS 10 have prompted overwhelmingly positive responses.

"A major part of Wachovia's SOA environment is supported by IMS, IBM WebSphere software and IBM eServer zSeries hardware," said Keith Harris, Manager of Architecture at Wachovia. "Wachovia has built a set of foundational and business services that it needs to support its delivery channels, such as its online banking, call center and interactive voice response channels. With the IMS Connect solution, users can access all of the client's core business applications -- such as its retail banking, customer information, and relationship and deposit systems -- on the IMS system. Currently, the SOA environment supporting the OLB channel supports over four million users."

The introduction of IMS 10 completes an upgrade of the entire IBM data server portfolio, including the new DB2 9 "Viper" and Informix (IDS) 11 "Cheetah" data servers, as well as new versions of the UniVerse and UniData (U2) data servers. During the first half of 2007, IBM outpaced its competitors in the database software industry -- generating double-digit revenue growth in consecutive quarters and gaining share.

New Technologies Strengthen Mainframe SOA Capabilities

The new IMS 10 includes:

New XQuery, Enhanced XML and Web Services Support - Opening up IMS data to off-the-shelf third party tools, such as those for query generation, and offering a standard, shareable integration point between IMS and other industry databases.
Broader XML and Java Tooling - Encourages new application development and expands connectivity by supporting open standards such as Web 2.0, XML, SOAP, Java, and JDBC.
Dynamic Resource Definition - Eases manageability, simplifying installation and operations which reduces total cost of ownership
Enhanced Database Recovery Control, Multiple Systems Coupling and Security - Increases scalability with availability, recovery, performance, security and capacity enhancements
In addition, the IMS SOAP Gateway, which enables as web services IMS transactions for interoperation with client applications independent of location, programming language, and platform, has been enhanced to provide z/OS environment, PL/I applications and Asynchronous Callout support. This is in addition to its earlier support for COBOL applications and for Windows, AIX, and Linux on System z environments. This new support has been well received by IMS customers including automaker Volvo.

"The IMS SOAP gateway enables Volvo to exploit SOA in their development environment," said Anders Ohrnberg, Senior IMS Technical Specialist, Volvo Information Technology. "Because of this, we can inter-operate with applications independent of location, programming language and platform. This enables reuse and maximizes business flexibility."

IMS 10 will begin shipping worldwide on October 26. For more information about IBM, visit http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/ims/v10/launch.html