Sybase gears strategy to management of Net data

Sybase is to release a new version of its database which will form the cornerstone of its Web strategy and let users create database-driven Web sites.

Sybase SQL Server Professional, introduced at last week's International Sybase User Group Conference in Barcelona, is geared towards database administrators and users who need to operate a small Web site or intranet within their businesses. It is scheduled for release by the end of the year.

According to Andy Bellinger, Sybase UK's product manager, such sites would have a single, integrated Internet content management system which is personalised, updates automatically, and can be viewed offline.

SQL Server Professional will include the Web application server NetImpact Dynamo, which will be integrated with Sybase SQL Server 11, to provide unified management of database and Internet information assets while storing all Web content in the database.

'Most of what you find on Web sites today is static content. There is some marketing literature, some graphics and some sound, but you won't find much transactional information,' Bellinger said.

'It's operated in a tethered environment. You have to be online to get access to it. It doesn't keep a profile of you and what you're interested in looking at, so you go on and start surfing through it.'

He added: 'What we're heading towards is an environment where business applications are being delivered via the Internet, and they are appearing in browsers. The difference you need is dynamic content. You're going to want information to be connected to the database, where business information is located.'

Since the Web site and the data are stored in the database, the technology is available to have the Web site running at different locations and replicated, he said.

The move by Sybase into managing Web information had been expected, said Chris LeTocq, an analyst with Dataquest. 'It'll be interesting to see if Sybase can transfer its expertise into the online transfer area,' he said.