Microsoft Takes Leadership Role by Developing Industry Standard For Repository, Broader Data Warehousing Framework
REDMOND, Wash., April 15, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. next week will bring together more than 200 leading developers and users of data warehousing, software development and data transformation tools from throughout the industry to help shape an open standard for a repository-based data warehousing infrastructure. The event is the latest step in Microsoft’s continuing developments with industry participation to refine standards for data warehousing solutions and enterprise application development.
The April 22 Microsoft® Repository Data Warehousing Workshop will focus on the expanding role of the Microsoft Repository in the Microsoft Data Warehousing Framework as the foundation for data warehousing. The repository provides a common infrastructure for data warehousing products and software development tools. As a result, customers will benefit from lower costs of ownership due to the growing number of interoperable products with advanced capabilities and improved manageability.
“This workshop underscores the successful collaboration between Microsoft and PLATINUM technology,”
said Tom DePasquale, senior vice president of data warehousing solutions for PLATINUM technology inc.
“Working together and with other developers, we are enabling data warehousing and application development tools for enterprisewide metadata management. Customers will be able to easily share critical information about data and applications among products from multiple vendors, resulting in significant cost and time savings.”
“Microsoft is taking the crucial leadership role in helping to facilitate open industry standards for data warehousing,”
said Wayne Eckerson, vice president of technology services at The Data Warehousing Institute.
“Working openly with the industry to define new extensions to the repository information models will benefit the market.”
The April 22 conference will be the third Microsoft-sponsored session to solicit industry participation in development of the repository standard. Last July, Microsoft introduced the Repository Open Information Model that provides a common, shared definition for frequently used repository subject areas. Since then, more than 550 vendors have reviewed the Microsoft Repository Open Information Model specifications, which can be requested from Microsoft’s Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/repository/ .
“Sagent and other market leaders were able to make meaningful contributions to Microsoft’s data warehousing framework because of their open and extensible approach,”
said John Zicker, chief technology officer for Sagent Technology Inc.
“This early and ongoing involvement means that Sagent’s products, which leverage Microsoft’s data warehousing technologies, will deliver real value to our joint customers.”
Participating vendors have helped shape the definition of the latest Repository Open Information Model extensions for database schema, transformation and OLAP, which will be reviewed at Wednesday’s workshop. A number of these companies, including Evolutionary Technologies International Inc., IntraSoft Technology Inc., LogicWorks Inc., PLATINUM technology inc., Sagent Technology and TopTier Software, will be demonstrating early product implementations based on the new extensions.
“We are working closely with the industry to develop a standard for metadata repositories that is crucial to the success of all major enterprise applications and, as such, to the future of corporate computing,”
said Jim Ewel, group product manager for database and development technologies at Microsoft.
”
The tremendous industry momentum for the Microsoft platform is clear validation of our approach to data warehousing and enterprise applications.”
Microsoft Repository currently ships as a component of the Microsoft Visual Studio
™
development system and many other third-party products. The repository data warehousing extensions provide a common Repository Open Information Model that can be shared between software development and data warehousing tools. These latest Microsoft Repository additions will ship with the next release of Microsoft SQL Server
™
and Visual Studio.
Microsoft’s consensus-based approach to the repository standard is consistent with its strategy to encourage industry participation in the Microsoft Data Warehousing Framework. That framework is a comprehensive architecture for integrating all aspects of decision support, including the building, managing and use of data warehouses and datamarts. Another key component is the OLE DB data access interface, which was extended last year to include OLAP capabilities. That process included three published draft specifications and two rounds of sharing the specification with key vendors, including competitors. By the time the final version was posted to the Web earlier this year, more than 4,200 industry participants had downloaded the specification. This open and collaborative process assures customers that products will interoperate, and contrasts with proprietary standards proposals that have proven unsuccessful.
For information on how to participate in the Microsoft Repository Data Warehousing Workshop, visit http://www.microsoft.com/repository/ .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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