News
Grid software lures Big 3 platform makers
- By Lana Gates
- November 24, 2003
Enterprise information integration software provider Avaki Corp.
(http://www.avaki.com), Burlington, Mass., has inked an agreement with Sun
Microsystems calling for Sun to offer Avaki's Data Grid software to its
customers.
This agreement comes right on the heels of a similar agreement with IBM and
solidifies Avaki's position as a serious contender in grid computing. Avaki has
been working with Hewlett-Packard for about a year as well.
Avaki's Data Grid software is said to help companies access data from
distributed data sources. 'It's a software package that allows the end user to
get data from multiple data sources and roll it up so it looks like it's from
one source,' explained Craig Muzilla, VP of marketing and strategy.
Sun, IBM and HP are all interested in concepts and the whole idea of more
cost-effective computing structures, he added. 'One of the underlying themes
with all three is that you can virtualize your resources.'
Data Grid, Muzilla continued, creates a layer where one can virtualize where
files and databases are located and how one reacts with data transparently. It
does so with a grid architecture. The grid becomes the data layer throughout an
organization, he explained.
Although Data Grid is based on a grid architecture, Avaki has really applied
grid concepts to data integration, according to Muzilla. The company classifies
its product as enterprise information integration software.
Avaki targets companies that have data integration challenges as a result of
multiple data sources and databases in a distributed environment. Officials said
the company has a strong presence in the pharmaceutical industry and is
beginning to market in the financial industry as well.
The agreement with Sun and subsequent agreements with IBM and HP bring to
Avaki and its customers a great degree of leverage in the marketplace, according
to Mike Miskovsky, VP, business development. 'When you talk about having major
relationships with IBM, Sun and HP, there is a notion of essentially clearing
the market,' he added. 'That sends a message to the marketplace in general that
there is a consensus around this approach to managing access to
data.'
About the Author
Lana Gates is a freelance writer based in Mesa, Arizona. She can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].