In this session I described and compared the four distinct data retrieval technologies available from IBM.

Choices are good to have, but how do you choose which technology to apply to a particular business use case? Learn how these techniques differ, including their relative strengths and weaknesses.
– The traditional RDBMS, relying primarily on indexes to speed access
– The new BLU Acceleration columnar compression and memory-optimized database
– IBM PureData System for Analytics (Netezza), which deploys racks of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processors to parse data
– IBM InfoSphere BigInsights,  the IBM distribution of Hadoop

Click here for the recording of the webinar.  The presentation materials: IBM Data Retrieval Technologies RDBMS BLU Netezza and Hadoop

The trip to Prague, CZ last week for the International DB2 Users Group meeting was fabulous.  The city certainly has changed since I’ve been there – all for the better.  It seems more cosmopolitan, the people seem younger, more vibrant than I remember from 2004.  And the dining and music – Kim and I attended jazz and classical music concerts and enjoyed Madame Butterfly at the Prague State Opera – were amazing CutterWelderMaestro.

Here’s my pitch on “IBM Data Retrieval Technologies” if you weren’t able to attend.  IDUG EMEA 2014 E7 – IBM Data Retrieval Technologies – RDBMS BLU IBM Netezza and Hadoop

Next year IDUG EMEA will be in Dublin.  Hope you can join us for a Guinness by the River Liffey.

I was on a call this morning with an IBM technical team to discuss our progress filling the seats in one of our upcoming free IDAA classes.  Not surprising, given the number of people on the call (and who they were!) we went a bit off topic and ended up chatting about services and what appears to be – to IBM customers and sellers at least – a shortage of skilled consultants available to help with the “tions” – replication, implementations, migrations and federation.

The Fillmore Group has skilled consultants available to support these efforts, at rates that are typically about half of those being charged by “the competition”.

If your team has a project pending, or one in process, where a skilled consultant, at a reasonable hourly rate, can get things back on track, please contact me.  We are ready to work!  A list of our IBM Information Management capabilities is attached here.

Over the last 10 years I have become deeply immersed in three major (then) new IBM Information Management software technologies:

• IBM InfoSphere Data Replication (IIDR – Q Replication)
• InfoSphere Information Server (legacy DataStage, et al)
• PureData System for Analytics (nee Netezza) and – it’s sibling for System z – IBM DB2 Analytics Accelerator (IDAA)

If there’s a theme it’s data in motion, data transformation, and deep analytics.  In 2014 The Fillmore Group is focusing on BigData which encompasses all three.  As an IBM authorized Training Sales and Delivery Partner we offer IBM’s BigData curriculum.  As such I am gathering all of the resources I can find to dive into

1. InfoSphere BigInsights – IBM’s distribution of Hadoop (and a whole lot more)
2. InfoSphere Streams – Real Time Analytical Processing (RTAP) for data in motion like stock trades and social networking feeds
3. InfoSphere Data Explorer – federated discovery, navigation, and search in the BigData world

This week I am attending an IBM BigData Fundamentals Bootcamp.  I have four free resources that I would like to share with anyone who wants to try to understand BigData.  Two Redbooks:

• Just published: “IBM InfoSphere Streams: Accelerating Deployments with Analytic Accelerators“
• “Implementing IBM InfoSphere BigInsights on IBM System x“

In addition, there are two free VMWare images of fully-functional software available for download.  Please note: these images are to be used for education and demonstration purposes only; they cannot be used to support production workloads.

• IBM InfoSphere BigInsights Quick Start Edition
• IBM InfoSphere Streams Quick Start Edition

More to follow on my return from the Bootcamp.

With IBM’s 2014 focus on Big Data solutions I want to highlight The Fillmore Group’s IBM authorized training classes coming this Spring – and invite new BigInsights and Streams customers to join us.  We have students enrolled and expect these sessions to run as scheduled.

All classes may be attended either in our classroom in Towson, Maryland, or remotely via distance learning.

Feb 26 DW652  IBM BigInsights Analytics for Programmers      2 days; $1500

Mar 17 DW723  Program for InfoSphere Streams V3 with SPL   4 days; $3000

Mar 21 DW730  Administration of InfoSphere Streams                 1 day; $750

Apr 2   DW641   BigInsights Analytics for Business Analysts        1 day; $750

If you are interested in learning more click on the course code above for the complete outline of topics to be covered and registration information.  If you have any questions on these classes or other training classes available from The Fillmore Group please contact me here.

One note:  these classes are being delivered through The Fillmore Group’s affiliation with Global Training Provider Arrow ECS; you will need to register for classes on the Arrow website.

Thanks!

To everyone joining us at IOD, I invite you to stop by Arrow ECS’s booth in the Expo, #1309, to pop a balloon and possibly win a valuable training class prize – or an iPad!  Arrow ECS is one of the four new IBM-selected Global Training Partners, and in addition to being The Fillmore Group’s software distributor, Arrow is the partner TFG has aligned with to continue to deliver IBM Authorized Information Management classes.

To qualify to win you must stop by the booth and pop a balloon.  Special prizes are in *some* balloons.  Good luck!  Let’s get IBM IM training restarted with a BANG!

This past summer IBM rolled out the Global Skills Initiative, essentially outsourcing all education marketing and delivery to four selected Global Training Partners.  IBM will continue to develop course curriculum, but everything else is now in the hands of the four Global Training Partners, or GTP’s.

The Fillmore Group has aligned with Global Training Partner Arrow ECS, our software distributor, and I am pleased to finally be able to announce that we are back in the training business.

There are still challenges.  Two of the biggest are the process of finding our classes on the IBM training site and actually registering for a class.  While I work through this process so I can update our website with accurate information, I am going to post our schedule in as many places as possible (right here for starters), and invite anyone in search of an IBM class to contact me if you need help.  Public classes, private classes, in the classroom or remote – please don’t hesitate to email me.  I want to help!

For those of you planning to attend this year’s Information on Demand (IOD) conference in Las Vegas, starting November 3rd, please join us for Frank Fillmore’s session, IPT-2150-B, “IBM Data Retrieval Technologies: RDBMS, BLU, IBM Netezza, and Hadoop“.  The session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th, from 1:45-2:45pm.

The session abstract is below.  In the session Frank will share his experience with IBM’s solutions to help determine which is best to meet your organization’s unique needs.

Abstract:  IBM offers four distinct data retrieval technologies: the traditional RDBMS, which primarily relies on indexes to speed access; the new BLU Acceleration columnar compression database; IBM PureData System for Analytics (IBM Netezza), which deploys racks of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processors to parse the data; and IBM InfoSphere BigInsights, which is the IBM distribution of Hadoop. Choices are good to have, but how do you choose which technology to apply to a particular business use case? In this session, you learn how these techniques differ, including their relative strengths and weaknesses, to help you make an informed choice.

IBM Champion Kim May of The Fillmore Group and Warren Heising of IBM deliver the details on “IBM Big Data Announcements – What You Should Know”.  A replay of the May 9th, 2013 webinar can be found here.  The presentation materials can be accessed MA VUG Warren Heising Big Data Announcements 5 9 13

I had the opportunity to chat with Jeff Kelly, Big Data Analyst, at Wikibon.  You can about our discussion on the Silicon Angle blog or view the interview here.