Leading Edge R&D:

ASSOCIATIVE MODEL OF DATA UNLEASHED

Sentences DBMS is a database development tool based on the Associative model of data, AMD, the brainchild of Lazy Software and Simon Williams.

The AMD, represents a radical shift of approach in Database modelling and implementation and it moves away from the notion that Relational dbases, the most widely adopted and robust database architecture known to date.

According to Simon Williams, inventor of the Associative Model of Data and Chief Executive of Lazy Software "Whilst all of the enhancements and additions to Sentences add considerably to the robustness, usability and performance characteristics of the database, I would like to point out one or two which I feel deserve particular mention."

"We have embraced XML in response to what we perceive to be its strategic significance in the market."

"In Version 2.0 of Sentences, XML has become the primary medium for the exchange of data and transactions between Sentences and all other data sources, including databases, application servers, browsers, message brokers and middleware."

"A Sentences database may now comprise many separate volumes residing on different servers located anywhere on the Web. This capability provides the same business benefits as the complex and expensive clustering techniques recently announced by Oracle, but at no extra cost to the customer, as such capabilities are inherent to the Associative Model of Data."

"Improved indexing techniques implemented in Version 2.0 will dramatically enhance performance for large databases, whilst optimised memory utilisation will enable us to achieve our goal of indefinite non-stop running."

"We have introduced a new, more powerful associative query capability alongside the existing SQL-like query facility. Unlike SQL, this new query is not constrained to return homogeneous sets, so a Sentences query can produce a list of detail items with sub-totals and totals in a single hit. It is also a major advance in terms of intuitive ease of use"

The Sentences omnicompetent user interface is flexible in terms of content, and a range of user interface options is supported by the ability to embed an omnicompetent dataform in an HTML Web page, explains Williams.

"These, and the many other improvements we have made, all contribute to making Sentences the industrial strength product we intend it to be. The speed with which it has developed has astonished even us. We launched the product last October and our user base is already stress testing it with full enterprise implementations. A product like Sentences evolves over time in line with market needs and kindred technologies. Unlike the static Relational Model, the Associative Model has been designed to adapt to the changing mode of business and the manner in which different organisations wish to develop their own business models."

Simon Williams, inventor of the Associative Model of Data and Chief Executive of Lazy Software, www.lazysoftware.com, co-founded the company with Melinda Horton, senior vice president Engineering, and Simon Haigh, senior vice president Operations.

Williams also founded Synon, a large vendor of application development tools for the IBM AS/400 platform where his two colleagues held senior executive positions. Synon was sold to Sterling Software in 1998 in a deal valuing the company at $80 million.