The State of the
MultiValue Marketplace
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In a survey* sponsored by Database Trends and Applications magazine, executives and developers who use MultiValue technology were asked about the current and future state of the MultiValue marketplace.
The survey asked:
What are your top development priorities for your MultiValue database applications over the next 12 months?
| The most common survey responses: | InterSystems’ comments: |
|---|---|
| Add new functions to existing applications running on MultiValue databases | Support for MultiValue technology has been added to InterSystems Caché®, making Caché the most advanced MultiValue platform available. With capabilities such as object technology, automatic ODBC and JDBC access, built-in support for XML and SOAP, an advanced security model, support for clusters and high-performance distributed systems, Caché makes it easy to add innovative features to your existing applications. |
| Modernize user interface to existing applications | Caché is the fastest way to create Web-based user interfaces, providing the flexibility of code-based, tag-based, and component-based development. With InterSystems Zen™ technology, you can easily build user interfaces that run in a browser, but are as rich and responsive as those found in sophisticated desktop applications. |
| Develop new applications running on MultiValue databases | Caché has been enhanced to enable rapid MultiValue development, including support for MultiValue data files, the MultiValue query language, PROCs, and a MultiValue command shell. MultiValue Basic has been fully integrated with the Caché development environment. |
| Upgrade to new version of MultiValue database | Upgrading to take advantage of all of Caché’s innovative and powerful features is easy. Caché comes with utilities to help import your MultiValue files and code. Migrating to Caché should be no more difficult than porting to any other version of a MultiValue environment. We will provide training and assistance as needed to help the process go as smoothly as possible. |
| Integrate MultiValue database applications into .NET or J2EE environments | Your MultiValue applications become easily “integrate-able” once they are moved to Caché. That’s because Caché classes can be projected as EJB or .NET components, and any Caché method can be instantly turned into a Web service. |
The survey asked:
What do you consider the greatest challenges in using a MultiValue
database environment?
| The most common survey responses: | InterSystems’ comments: |
|---|---|
Market uncertainty
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InterSystems is a successful company with a 30-year history of providing technology and support to professional application developers. Our annual revenue tops 200 million USD. |
Lack of management awareness
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We aggressively market all our products through print and online advertising, mail, public relations, and participation in trade shows. We routinely work with leading analyst groups to help educate the market about our products. |
Difficult to modernize applications
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Caché lets you use all the latest technologies, including capabilities for building Rich Internet Applications, Web services, and incorporating advanced security features. Caché competes with (and is often chosen over) databases like Oracle, IBM DB2, and Microsoft SQL Server. It is the world’s leading database for clinical applications in healthcare. |
Lack of mainstream vendors
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Caché also has a strong presence in financial services, government, telecommunications, and other markets. |
Lack of development/support tools
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There is a thriving community of vendors providing tools and services relating to Caché. Caché works with any tool that uses an ODBC/JDBC interface. In addition, Caché can project objects to Java, .NET, C++, etc., giving you the option of working with tools that use those technologies. |
Integration issues (with .NET, J2EE, or other database environments)
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Caché shares core technology with InterSystems Ensemble®, our rapid integration platform. Ensemble allows you to enhance your applications with rules-based business processes, adaptable workflow, executive dashboards, and more. |
| Lack of VAR/integrator support | We are committed to giving our customers the best service in the industry. With personnel based in cities around the globe, our Worldwide Response Center provides engineering- level expertise, multilingual, 24 X 7 support for all our products. |
* The State of the MultiValue Marketplace 2007, Dr. Elliot King, Research Analyst, Unisphere Research