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BMC Expands SmartDBA Data Mgmt Offerings For MS SQL Server

BMC Software Inc, a leading provider of enterprise management, has announced new SmartDBA data management tools for Microsoft SQL Server databases. With the introduction of these SmartDBA tools, BMC Software is providing database administrators (DBAs) with a consistent strategy for managing their mixed database environments. By providing intelligent, automated data management tools that have a common look and feel across all database platforms, BMC Software is eliminating the need for companies to have "experts" for each database. This consistent management style supports Project Golden Gate by further addressing customers' needs for a solution to the increased cost and complexity of managing data across the enterprise.

With this announcement of SQL-BackTrack for Microsoft SQL Server version 3.0, BMC Software is introducing significant enhancements to its industry-leading backup and recovery solution. Additionally, BMC Software is extending its database administration and performance tools with SmartDBA Cockpit, and DBXray, to support Microsoft SQL Server.

"Microsoft is committed to working with industry leaders like BMC Software to ensure our customers are afforded the best solutions available to complement their SQL Server environment," said Stan Sorensen, director of SQL Server Product Management at Microsoft Corp. "The powerful combination of BMC's SmartDBA data management solutions and Microsoft's SQL Server database gives DBAs confidence that their technology investments will be highly available and highly performing."

Microsoft SQL Server is the fastest-growing database platform, ranking among the top three in the database management systems (DBMS) software market(1). With 28.5 percent growth in new software revenues over the past year(2), more and more DBAs are seeing SQL Server being added to their environments. By providing data management solutions with unparalleled product depth and breadth across all major platforms, BMC Software is making it easier and more cost effective for DBAs to manage their mixed environments.

"With today's announcement, BMC delivers another important pillar of its Project Golden Gate strategy, providing SQL Server customers with automated performance and recovery management," said Karl Chen, vice president of marketing, Enterprise Data Management, BMC Software. "SmartDBA helps customers reduce IT costs by providing common data management tools across the broadest database platforms in the industry."

Advanced Backup and Recovery

Up to 80 percent of all unplanned downtime is caused by software or human error(3), and up to 70 percent of the time spent doing a recovery is "think time." SQL-BackTrack provides DBAs with an intelligent, automated backup and recovery solution that enables quick and accurate recovery of data for minimized downtime.

With this announcement of SQL-BackTrack for Microsoft SQL Server V3.0, BMC Software has significantly enhanced its backup and recovery solution for SQL Server customers with the addition of new usability and performance enhancements. With the logical extraction feature, DBAs are able to selectively recover individual objects from physical backup, allowing for faster and more flexible recoveries while minimizing the affects on the database. Additionally, the named instance/cluster support enables DBAs to backup and recover multiple named instances of SQL Server and ensure high availability and reliability of backups.

Suncor Energy is one of Canada's leading integrated energy companies. The constant availability of its mission critical systems is vital to the company's business. "Our database environment is complex as we are a multi-platform shop, working with both Oracle and MS SQL Server. Additionally, we require a strong backup and recovery strategy for our business-critical environment," said Kris Bilou, DBA, Suncor. "Suncor was a satisfied participant and beta tester of SQL BackTrack for MS SQL Server and our experience with the product exceeded our SQL Server recovery expectations."

Extended Support for Database Administration

With the introduction of SmartDBA Cockpit for Microsoft SQL Server, BMC Software has extended its DBA productivity tool to include support for Microsoft SQL Server. With SmartDBA Cockpit, DBAs of all experience levels are afforded a consistent database management environment for Oracle, DB2 UDB and now Microsoft SQL Server databases. Using any PC with a Web browser, DBAs can simply, quickly and effectively manage their databases using SmartDBA Cockpit to increase productivity and reduce unnecessary training costs.

BMC Software has also extended support of its Web-enabled DBA diagnostic and visualization tool, DBXray, to include Microsoft SQL Server databases. By providing an overall view of the health of a database, DBXray allows DBAs of all experience levels to manage and master the everyday challenges of database administration, including detecting, diagnosing and fixing problems.

Pricing and Availability

SQL-BackTrack for SQL Server v3.0, SmartDBA Cockpit for Microsoft SQL Server and DBXray for Microsoft SQL Server are available immediately worldwide. For pricing, as well as additional information on BMC Software's SmartDBA family, please visit www.bmc.com/solutions/database/ .

bout BMC Software

BMC Software Inc is a leader in enterprise management. The company focuses on Assuring Business Availability for its customers by helping them proactively improve service, reduce costs and increase value to their business. BMC Software solutions span enterprise systems, applications and databases. Founded in 1980, BMC Software has offices worldwide and is a member of the S&P 500, with fiscal year 2002 revenues of approximately $1.3 billion. Visit www.bmc.com to learn more.

(1) Source: Gartner Group's 2001 Database Management Systems Software Market Share report

(2) Source: IDC's Worldwide Relational and Object-Relational Database Management Systems Software Forecast and Analysis, 2002-2006

(3) Source: Gartner, "Aftermath: Disaster Recovery", Vic Wheatman, September 21, 2001

Contact: Julie Akstin-Dearing of BMC Software Inc, 713-918-1434, Julie_dearing@bmc.com.