Informix moves on ?

IBM just published their Q2 results and the Information Management software segment, where IDS is a part of, increased by 30 %. Unfortunately IBM doesn't report numbers on individual products but looking at the high growth rate of IDS in 2006 and 2007 it is most likely that INFORMIX is the driving force behind those exceptional results.

As a result of the increased demand for IDS, we have now two new distributors here in Germany which are authorized to sell the INFORMIX product portfolio beside the well known Bytec GmbH:

• Cursor AG - http://www.cursor-distribution.de
• Listec GmbH - http://www.listec.de

Competition is good and will further strenghten the position of INFORMIX in Germany.

UK Distributor Bell Micro seems to be quite successful in its efforts to acquire new ISVs for INFORMIX:

• Bell Micro's Maximation Initiative sees ISVs reach new market with IBM Informix

Alfatec does a great job promoting INFORMIX in the East European market and Kazer is the driving force for the US market.

However there are two important points regarding IBM that I can't stress enough and will continue to do so until we see some real improvements:

• IBM needs to do more to educate their own sales force and technical sales people on IDS technology, so that they are able to choose the right weapon against the competition. A great part of the Ex-Informix people are certified on both data servers - IDS and DB2 LUW -, almost no one from the Ex-DB2-Brand is certified on IDS. I guess that there is a ratio of 5 -10% (certified on IDS) and 90-95% (certified on DB2 LUW) inside IBM Information Management. This disparity needs to fixed asap from IBM management so that their sales force is able to recommend the best data server depending on the customer needs !
• IDS technology expertise needs to get distributed the same way as DB2 LUW. There is a dedicated IBM team traveling and teaching DB2 LUW at universities worldwide:
  DB2 on Campus Tour
  Why doesn't IBM add an IDS expert to this team so that IDS technology is teached and promoted the same way as DB2 LUW ?

Yes, INFORMIX moves on - But the speed could be further increased if IBM eliminates the known deficiencies !