IBM Pushes Sybase Migration to DB2

IBM is offering new technology that will allow Sybase users to move to IBM DB2 with virtually no changes to application code.

The technology, called DB2 SQL Skin, was unveiled at its Information on Demand conference in Rome this week and will be sold to DB2 customers as a feature starting 28 May.

Developed jointly by IBM and ANTs Software, the technology is aimed at easing the migration of legacy applications compatible with Sybase ASE. The Big Blue said SQL Skin allows SQL code such as queries and stored procedures from Sybase ASE to run natively and transparently against the DB2 DBMS with little-to-no changes to application code.

“Think about it just like a pull over, or literally like a skin. That’s how we came up with the name,” explained Boris Bialek, IBM Programme Director, Information Management, Technology Ecosystem.

According to ANTs, the technology reduces costs, risks and complexities associated with database migration, as well as legacy costs and maintenance. Bialek left open the possibility the technology could be extended in the future to cover other databases besides Sybase ASE.

“We’re looking to do more and more things; we’re looking into what the customers want…right now this is what we have today,” Bialek said.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of SAP’s acquisition of Sybase for $3.9 billion, and IBM’s acquisitions of Secerno and mySQL.