IBM has a new web-based query and report writing product that offers more capabilities over the IBM Query/400 product.  The new product has easy to use tools for building Business Intelligence solutions including reporting and graphing assistant components, a WYSIWYG report painter and the optional Developer Workbench for creating more customized reports.

DB2 Web Query provides the ability to query or build reports against data stored in DB2 for the IBM i databases through browser-based user interface technologies.  Build new reports with ease through the Ajax-based WYSIWYG Power Painter component, or leverage the wizard-like Report and Graph Assistant components.  DB2 Web Query can be extended into multi-dimensional analysis with the optional OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) Module, or provide reports for users on the go with the Active Reports option.  Existing Query/400 definitions can be easily modernized through an import function, and then enhanced with the Web-based tools.  Customers will have improved performance and are able to reduce costs with the single server installation.  New features include Active Reports, OLAP Module, Developer Workbench and Run Time User Enablement.

The Active Reports feature combines data and interactive controls into a single, self-contained HTML file, Active Reports delivers analytic capabilities in a portable and disconnected environment, without using software.  Users then can access these reports anytime and anywhere.

The OLAP Module solves the data analysis issues faced by business analysts by adding in-depth, built-in analytical processing to the product’s enterprise reporting and information delivery capabilities.

The Developer Workbench allows for rapid development of customized Web-based reports.  It includes an HTML layout painter for building compound reports or dashboards, combining multiple reports onto a single view.

The Runtime User enablement provides user licensing flexibility, thus reducing costs where a larger uses base is required.  One or more licenses can be defined as a group, thus allowing each member of the group to have developer access.