Screeeeeech!! {Go the nails across the chalkboard}

Do I have your attention yet?  Well, it worked for Quint in Jaw's.

Anyway…

There has been some activity of late concerning the access to Optim archived data as many Optim users are scrambling to replace the now defunct ODM/Attunity data connecters. So, I wanted to discuss it here a bit and present you with three alternatives.

Those of you who implemented Optim's ODM had done so to solve a problem. Well, ODM is no longer here, but your problem still is. So, what do you do about it?  First, stop looking to replace ODM.  There is no ODM replacement, but there are alternatives.  Second, review the current alternatives to see what they are capable of and how they work.  Third, take a step back and revisit the original problem that ODM was solving.  Rework that problem for a new solution. Find a solution that will work with one of the alternatives.

Three steps, that's it.  I'd like to tell you there was an Easy button to push but unfortunately, there is going some leg work and costs involved to resolve the problem. Be prepared to perform that work. Expect the additional costs.

Now, without further delay, introducing three alternatives to Optim'sODM:

1.     ABMartin's Open Data Viewer (ODV). ODV offers direct real-time access to the archive file data using a GUI, command console or TCP/IP services. See attached PDF.

2.     Estuate's Archvie Viewer is an on-premise or cloud-offered product that enables enterprises the ultimate retirement and archiving capabilities for structured data, unstructured data files, and applications. (This description was from the product's website. Google the name for more info.)

3.     Custom BYO (build your own). Build your own is always an option, but not always a favorite. Still, it is a potential alternative if you know where to look.

I will discuss options 1 and 3 in a bit more detail. I am not very knowledgeable of option 2 and will leave it to others to comment on.

ODV

ODV offers direct real-time access to your archive files without depending on other software to function, including Optim. It is capable of presenting the data in its own intuitive and easy to use GUI,  on a command console using the command line utility, or via TCP/IP client server requests using it's built-in data provisioning server.  The client/server access to data may be the closest you will come to the ODBC libraries that ODM offered. A REST server for example can be set up to query data from ODV then client reporting tools that support a RESTful service can make REST calls to retrieve the data. The attached PDF offers a more in-depth overview of ODV's capabilities.

BYO

There are many ways to solve a problem and there are still many highly skilled technologists who have skills with Optim that can help with a custom solution. Personally, I have been working with Optim for well over two decades. I have many colleagues who can say the same and possibly even more years. If a build your own is something you want to entertain, then find these Optim experts to help you.

I sincerely hope that this was helpful to you. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need help with respect to Optim.

Kindest regards,

Tammy Ziegler

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Tammy Ziegler
tziegler@abmartin.com
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