Syncsort's New Sigma Product for Data Aggregation

Programmers and administrators of large databases and data warehouses finally can create, manage and process data aggregates with speed, ease and accuracy thanks to a new software product unveiled by Syncsort Incorporated.

Called Sigma, the product combines a high-performance data aggregate engine with an intuitive easy-to-use graphical user interface. By simplifying aggregation creation, Sigma reduces the time it takes to define and maintain aggregates, saves computer resources when processing aggregates, and dramatically cuts response time for database queries.

"Having the right aggregates available can improve runtime performance up to a thousand times according to leading data warehouse experts," said Vic Werner, director of marketing at Syncsort. "Sigma helps database administrators manage the explosive growth of data in their companies and meet the demands by their users for faster query processing of click-stream data from Web sites, 24/7 business operations and electronic commerce initiatives. Sigma frees administrators to concentrate on selecting those aggregates that will optimize query performance."

About Sigma

Sigma is a high performance software utility for creating, managing and processing data aggregates rapidly, easily and accurately. It optimizes the process of defining, generating and maintaining aggregates or summary tables. The generated aggregates can be pre-stored and be used for query optimization within a database or directly for end-user analysis.

Users can define aggregates through Sigma's intuitive easy-to-use graphical interface. No knowledge of SQL, command options, batch scripts or any other programming language is required. Aggregates can be executed immediately through the graphical interface, or subsequently through a batch job or script file. Sigma's proprietary optimization techniques ensure higher performance and faster execution times than any other method with SQL statements within the database or third party utility packages outside the database. A permanent central repository stores the aggregate definitions, and users can update these definitions and regenerate aggregates with just a few clicks of a mouse.

Detail data to be aggregated can be input from, and aggregated data can be output to, flat files in a Microsoft Window or UNIX file system or a relational database management system. Sigma easily installs in minutes on the following operating systems or higher: AIX 4.2, HP-UX 10.20, Solaris 2.6, or Windows NT 4.0.

About Syncsort

Syncsort Incorporated is a leading developer of high-performance systems and data warehousing software for mainframe, UNIX and Windows environments. For more than 30 years, Syncsort has built a reputation for superior product performance and reliable technical support. An independent market research firm has named Syncsort as one of the top Data Warehouse 100 Vendors for two years in a row. Over 95 percent of the Fortune 100 companies are Syncsort customers, and Syncsort's products are used in more than 50 countries to speed data warehouse processing, improve database loads, speed query processing, and backup and protect data in distributed environments. For more information, visit the Syncsort Web site at www.syncsort.com.

Contact Syncsort Victor Werner, 201-930-8259, vwerner@syncsort.com.