IBM Software Lets Business Execs, IT Collaborate On Data Integration Projects

IBM has introduced an Information Server module that gives business executives a familiar interface with which to get involved in the design process of data integration projects normally handled by IT staff.

Information Server FastTrack translates into software code requirements defined by business analysts. During beta testing, the tools in FastTrack helped shave up to 40% off of information integration project development time, according to IBM.

While making collaboration between business analysts, data modelers and developers possible, the new module ensures documentation consistency, and maintains historical tracking for data governance and auditing requirements. FastTrack is designed so business users can define requirements in Microsoft Excel and have them translated directly into code for use by the Information Server data integration engine.

For the retail, banking, finance, healthcare and telecommunications industries, FastTrack can be used with IBM's industry models and Rational Data Architect tools to simplify the deployment of data warehouses. FastTrack also can be used with the IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Server.

IBM also recently launched a new version of the Information Server Business Glossary Anywhere that includes support for AIX, Solaris and Red Hat Linux. The software, which is accessible from any desktop application, enables users to click on a term and view its business definition in a pop-up window.

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