Mastering Data Management

Open source add-on is set to boost data warehouse processing times, getting the most out of Big Data and prompting the competition to review pricing and products

Data warehouses are typically associated with traditional relational databases such as DB2, Oracle or SQL Server. Data is gathered from multiple sources, inconsistencies and duplication dealt with via some sort of pre-processing, and then a consistent set of data is loaded into a set of tables. read more

The database market has evolved at a glacial pace, but internet-fuelled growth in the volume and variety of data has sparked its most exciting and innovative era yet

Making a database decision used to be easy when I started my career as a database administrator - which version of IMS were you going to install? Databases evolved from the need to better manage 'structured' data (which at the time was pretty much just financial numbers and their descriptions) and to have many users simultaneously update that data. read more

A brief history of data quality

Data management software of one form or another has been around for a quarter of a century, yet typically slow corporate take-up means it’s still considered niche read more

Never mind the glamour, feel the opportunities

The data quality software industry largely consists of name-and-address checkers, leaving a gap in the market for developers willing to tackle more complex information read more

Master Data Management is growing up

One definitive set of data in a company is still an uncommon occurance, says Andy Hayler, but the signs are that the situation is improving read more

Once implemented, software packages may be in place for 10 or 20 years

If you engage the whole business in specifying and buying your next piece of enterprise software, says Andy Hayler, it will be a more profitable investment in the long run read more

Human error can make bugs worse. Automation is an efficient and cost-saving alternative

Back in the days when I actually developed software, I became interested in software testing. Once you write some code, what is the right amount of effort to devote to making sure it actually works? read more

Startups bursting out all over

The tech IPO market is back. Will fresh injections of cash into technology startups benefit the enterprise CIO? read more

Tell-tale signs of software's imminent obsolescence

The likely longevity of a product line or vendor should be an important consideration in any software purchase. But it is possible to spot imminent obsolescence read more

Old hands and newcomers alike must turn their attention towards building better optimisers

The row versus column debate is a moot point in the database world – old hands and newcomers alike must turn their attention towards building better optimisers read more

Mobile apps must be useful, functional and 100 per cent reliable

Investing in mobile apps is a great way of interacting with customers and building the brand, but your software must be useful, functional and 100 per cent reliable read more

Buying enterprise software isn't like ordering stationery as canny vendors often make up the price and the rules

Buying enterprise software isn't like ordering stationery as canny vendors often make up the price and the rules. Specialised procurement staff can help secure a fair deal read more