MetaMatrix Cuts QA and Support Costs with DataDirect JDBC Drivers

View PDF

Goal:

Standardize on reliable, predictable JDBC drivers across all supported databases.

Why they embed DataDirect:

Embedding DataDirect JDBC drivers in their products ensures flawless connectivity on the customer end and much less time spent testing and troubleshooting issues caused by supporting multiple versions of JDBC drivers across multiple databases.

Business benefits:

MetraMatrix saves development time and support costs because they no longer have to service native database drivers.

Technical benefits:

Consistent JDBC feature support across databases and simplified development and testing.

MetaMatrix, creators of Enterprise Metadata Management and Enterprise Information Integration solutions, began working with DataDirect Technologies in 2002, when it joined the OEM Starter Program to embed DataDirect Connect® for JDBC® in its MetaBase Modeler. Why would a small ISV choose a third-party source for JDBC drivers? MetaMatrix was tired of surprises. Supporting multiple sources and versions of JDBC drivers had become an expensive proposition, and MetaMatrix found that standardizing on one set of proven database drivers was fundamental to cutting development and support costs.

Bundling Database Vendor Drivers Proves Unworkable

Before working with DataDirect, MetaMatrix bundled the database vendor JDBC drivers with its products. This soon became an unworkable solution. Because the database vendors all distribute their own JDBC versions of database drivers - often multiple, different releases for each database version - QA and support was difficult to monitor and limit. This was compounded by the fact that MetaMatrix supports a comprehensive list of relational databases, including Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase, and DB2.

It was not unusual, even after a prolonged QA cycle, to find that a customer was having problems with a database vendor's JDBC driver that had not been a part of that QA process. In this case, it meant that MetaMatrix development and support had to obtain the new driver, run the gamut of tests, discern what the technical issue was, and either modify their application or convince the customer to use another JDBC driver. In either situation, it was an uncomfortable - and often costly - resolution.

Standardizing on DataDirect JDBC Drivers Saves Time and Money

Standardizing on and bundling Connect for JDBC drivers proved the best solution for all parties involved. MetaMatrix customers enjoy out-of-the-box connectivity that has been extensively tested, and MetaMatrix development and support teams are working with a known, reliable entity. "In the past few years, we've steadily increased our customer base and revenue stream, and the data source types and versions that customers are integrating using our products has expanded," said Robert Scanlon, senior vice president of development for MetaMatrix. "By incorporating DataDirect Technologies' drivers into our products, we can reduce the time and cost associated with qualifying and supporting native database drivers."

MetaMatrix sells to organizations that can't compromise on their data access: financial services firms and federal government institutions. Standardizing on high-performance, premium Java connectivity meant that MetaMatrix customers enjoyed the same JDBC feature support across all the supported databases.

As the company grew, its reliance on DataDirect Technologies grew as well. MetaMatrix now bundles DataDirect Technologies' JDBC drivers with all its products - with the version 4.0 release of its product family, including the MetaBase Repository, the MetaMatrix Integration Server and the XA Server.