Re: Your opinions about MIMIX

["Larry D. Bolhuis" <lbolhui@xxxxxxx>]

Terry,

  Thanks for another viewpoint!  The users view is nearly always better than 
the salesman's!

  Just a couple points:

  As you mentioned there may be no need for data transformation, row or column 
selection, or
mirroring to another platform such as Oracle or SQL Server when doing HSA only. 
 In this case
DataMirror would sell you DBMirror rather than Transformation Server.  The 
primary difference
between them is that Transformation server does all the aformentioned 'stuff', 
while DBMirror does
Only HSA and is tuned to run faster. (Less capability means shorter code path 
and more speed.)

  You are also correct about the ability to mirror within the same box.  This 
is not really an HSA
feature (after all when's the last time you lost half a computer!) but rather 
good for testing and
simulation.

  As for financial stability, I don't know the financial status of Vision or 
MiMMIX and I won't
prpogate rumors, but it is a concern because if you are purchasing HSA you want 
the company to stick
around to help you and provide continuous upgrades/enhancements.  DataMirror is 
publicly traded so
you can see this information, the others are not.

  Each of the three packages are good stuff. Some have more features (needed or 
not - you decide)
and in many cases it comes down to who sells and supports it in your area.  A 
great package with no
support can be a fiasco. In the end 'you make the call!'

  Larry Bolhuis
  Arbor Solutions, Inc
  lbolhui@ibm.net

Terry Herrin wrote:
> 
> Larry D. Bolhuis wrote:
> > Disclaimer: We represent DataMirror Corp in Western Michigan.
> 
> I don't represent Vision Solutions in any way, but I am a happy
> customer running OMS/ODS Gold Suite.  In the name of fairness, I feel
> compelled to respond to some of these points, as a representative for
> Vision Solutions doesn't seem to be here.
> 
> > Primary benefits of DataMirror's Transformation Server:
> >  Ability to not only mirror the data (Real time or periodic refresh)
> >but also transform it on the way (eg switch dates to 4 digit year,
> >change single byte codes to text, do math, and much more).
> 
> This might be good for applications other than High Systems
> Availability, but for HSA I don't see the need.  I want my data to be
> identical on the target machine for when I need to role swap to it
> when the primary system fails.
> 
> >  Replicates data both ways (even the same file can be replicated both
> >ways)
> 
> If you mean mirroring in reverse when running on the backup machine,
> OMS does this.  If you mean replicating both ways at the same time, I
> don't see the need for HSA.
> 
> >  Has row and column selection.
> 
> Another feature not required for HSA.
> 
> >  Can Replicate to multiple target machines. (One to Many)
> >  Can Replicate multiple systems to one terget. (Many to One)
> 
> OMS can do this no problem.
> 
> >  Ability to go to/from AS/400<->Oracle<->SQL Server and others.
> 
> Yet another feature not needed for HSA, at least I can't imagine a
> scenario where you would switch your AS/400 users to a non-AS/400
> system when the primary system fails.
> 
> >  Runs on SNA and TCP/IP.
> 
> OMS does this.
> 
> >  Can replicate on the same machine. (Good for testing or building a
> >datamart)
> 
> This is cool.  I don't think OMS can do this.  I will say though, that
> most shops who have a second AS/400 for HSA would use that second
> machine for testing rather than using the primary production machine.
> That's what we do.
> 
> > DataMirror also has an object mirror package that will handle objects
> >besides databases, and a Switch-over-System module that combined with
> >some hardware will switch your users from a failed primary machine to
> >the operational backup machine automatically.
> 
> Visions Solutions offers both products that do this, ODS and SAM
> respectively.
> 
> > A total DataMirror Solution is typically cheaper than the competitive
> >solutions.
> 
> This might be true, as I don't know the prices for both solutions.
> 
> > DataMirror is very strong Financially and is a publically traded
> >company (TSE:DMC) and is an IBM Business partner.
> 
> I don't know if Vision Solutions is publically traded, but they do
> seem financially strong.  I do know they are an IBM Business partner.
> 
> Again, I don't represent Vision Solutions in any way, I'm just a happy
> customer.
> 
> Terry Herrin
> Sr. Programmer/Analyst
> New Hanover Regional Medical Center
> Wilmington, NC
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