Insider #61: Highlights: We have a new logo, Cool SMI queries, IDS Training, Chat wit the lab, Calendar

IIUG Insider (Issue #61) July 2005 Highlights: We have a new logo, Cool SMI queries, IDS Training, Chat wit the lab, Calendar Welcome to the International Informix Users Group (IIUG) Insider! Designed for IIUG members and Informix user group leaders, this publication contains timely and relevant information for the IBM Informix community. Contents: * Editorial... * IBM Informix Database Manages Jamaica's Fiscal Management System * New offering from Kazer * Advanced Informix IDS Performance Tuning and Optimization Course * Special offer for FourGen users with lapsed support * Chat with the Lab * SEIUG and WAIUG user group meeting * Scranton across America * A great Informix fan * Resequencing Serial Columns - By Jonathan Leffler * Using GUIDs with IDS 9.x * Calendar of events * Useful links * Closing and credits =================================================================== Editorial... =================================================================== In May we launched our IIUG Insider logo contest. It was thrilling to see the lively participation, the effort, the imagination and the talent. Taking part in our community activity, dedicating time and skills for the benefit of others was the most important part. This was my reason for joining the IIUG board. As you have all noticed we have a new logo. This means we have a winner. It was a tough choice. Thank you all for your efforts and special thanks to our winner: Norma Jean Sebastian Let's keep the momentum. Harness your enthusiasm and skill to supplying content for the Insider. Art Kagel wrote a brilliant article for our May issue. For this issue we have a personal letter by Ganesh. This kind of user contribution makes the difference. Take some time and be part of the IIUG Insider. My email address is still: gary@iiug.org Gary Ben-Israel IIUG Insider Editor IIUG Board of Directors =================================================================== IBM Informix Database Manages Jamaica's Fiscal Management System =================================================================== Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) has emerged as the de facto standard Established 20 years ago by the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Jamaica, Fiscal Services Ltd. has a mandate to insure the compatibility of information systems across several revenue collecting agencies. It provides a wide range of information technology services including infrastructure and software development. With approximately 250 employees, the company has frequently moved Ministry of Finance offices using manual processes into the information age. In 1993, when Lorenzo Grant, the managing director, arrived, he determined that Fiscal Services needed to modernize its own approach. "We needed to have a database management system and tools," he said. After an extensive analysis, the company determined that the Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) was the best platform for their needs. Grant opted for IDS for several reasons. Perhaps the most compelling was the price/performance and price/capability ratio. "Based on what we needed to do, we thought it was the best deal around," Grant said. In addition to price/performance, IDS had several other key features. Since the telecommunications infrastructure in Jamaica is typical for the Caribbean, and many government agencies operate regionally, "we have to make sure that the different regions can operate independently but we have to be able to synchronize the databases," Grant said. "IDS is way ahead in that regard." Furthermore, IDS diagnostics are useful in pinpointing performance and applications problems. And, Grant noted, the database "pretty much runs itself. The DBAs just need to monitor it." Once the initial sizing parameters are set, there is little need for continuous monitoring. "IDS is very good in terms of administration," added Sujit Sakar, a project manager at Intelligroup, a worldwide consulting company that has worked extensively with Fiscal Services. Finally, IDS offered the best support services in the region and was willing to work hard to understand both Fiscal Services' needs and its clients' needs, helping to develop solutions. First Implementations The first IDS implementation was developed for the Stamp Office, which is responsible for transfer taxes when property and estates change hands. "They did not have any reconciliation between their documents and transaction processes with the funds collected." Grant said. Working with the Intelligroup, Fiscal Services used IDS and the Informix development suite to put the appropriate automated systems in place. Now in its third version, revenue collected has increased sharply even though the number of transactions has remained steady. Moreover, the reports developed allowed managers to track events and provide better, quicker service to their customers. "They were quite pleased with that," Grant said. Customs Office Project