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http://searchoracle.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid41_gci1245238,00.html
Oracle debuts free Information Lifecycle Management tool
By Mark Brunelli,
News Editor
26 Feb 2007 | SearchOracle.com
Oracle today unveiled its new Information Lifecycle
Management Assistant, a free tool for the growing number of Oracle Database users who want to do a better job of
cost-effectively complying with data retention regulations such as the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
An increasing number of companies are realizing that solid information lifecycle management (ILM) practices can lead
to significantly reduced storage costs, according to experts. Oracle says its
new ILM Assistant offers a wide range of features that simplify the process of
implementing and maintaining such a strategy.
Used in conjunction with Oracle Database's partitioning features, Oracle ILM
Assistant helps users define information lifecycle parameters, such as when
it's time to purge information or move it to less expensive storage devices.
The idea, says Oracle, is to enable the maximum quantity of data to be retained
at the lowest cost. Oracle ILM Assistant also offers simulated table
partitioning, storage cost modeling, and security and compliance reporting
capabilities.
"Organizations today really can no longer afford to use the highest end
storage for all the database requirements," said Willie Hardie, Oracle's vice president of database product
marketing. "Oracle ILM Assistant is basically a tool to help our customers
define the lifecycle of data and manage that data throughout its lifecycle onto
different storage tiers while continuing to meet demands for fast access."
A growing need
Experts note that organizations today are holding onto information longer
for a variety of reasons, including data retention regulations, business
intelligence reporting requirements, legal discovery and more. As a result,
demand for ILM software that helps users cost-effectively manage growing data
stores is on the rise.
A recent Unisphere Research survey of Independent Oracle User Group (IOUG) members
found that 92% expect their database storage needs to increase in 2007, and 64%
plan to increase spending on storage in 2007.
"Different data has different value to organizations, and different
data may also have different performance needs. If you have different classes
of data you can reduce your cost just on the storage by a tremendous
amount," said IOUG president
Kaplan said that while there is clearly a growing demand for ILM, many
companies still aren't aware of just how valuable such a strategy can be.
"A lot of people don't even know [ILM] is a need and if they just
started using it they could save dramatic money without that much work,"
he said.
Where to get it
Oracle ILM Assistant requires that users install Oracle Application Express and is free of charge for all Oracle Database Enterprise Edition customers running Oracle 9i Database or above. The software is available for download from the Oracle Technology Network. More information on Oracle ILM Assistant can be found on Oracle's Web site.
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