IBM Db2 Database Reviews

We use the solution as a database for e-commerce applications.

The solution's most valuable feature is scalability.

The platform itself needs improvement. They should develop a containerized version of the solution. In addition, they should include dashboard features as well.

We have been implementing the solution for customers since 2006.

It is quite a stable solution. I rate its stability as an eight.

We have 34 technical users and over 50 end users for the solution. I rate its scalability as an eight.

The solution's technical support team could respond faster.

Neutral

I have used Oracle in the past. In Comparison, IBM provides better performance and scalability features.

The solution's initial setup process has medium complexity. It takes a few days to complete. I rate the process as a seven.

I rate the solution as a seven.

We use it to manage a data warehouse for customers. The data warehouse is focused on marketing, commercial and sales data.

The performance of the solution is valuable.

The initial setup could be improved.

We have been using the solution for approximately five years.

The solution is stable.

The solution is scalable, and approximately 50 users in our organization are currently utilizing it.

We have had a good experience with customer service and support. I rate customer service and support a ten out of ten.

Positive

The initial setup is not easy but can be completed with the assistance of the IBM technicians. It took us about four to five months to complete deployment.

The licensing cost is charged annually. I rate it a ten out of ten.

I rate the solution a nine out of ten. The solution is good, but the initial setup can be improved.

I handle implementation. I install the Db2 Database before I send it to the developer or the application team. Also, sometimes, I have to migrate the database from one platform to another.

The solution is easy to install and simple to maintain. The most valuable aspect of the solution is its general user-friendliness for users of all kinds.

The solution could improve the centralization aspect of the tools.

It would be ideal if the solution offered backup functionality. Many similar tools already do, which means Db2 is somewhat behind the curve in terms of what a customer might expect from it.

I'm an implementer of the solution in Thailand. I have been working with Oracle Db2 and SQL for more than 10 years. 

The solution is stable so long as you don't have to make any changes to it. I haven't seen any bugs, or glitches on it. I haven't experienced crashes either.

The solution is quite scalable. A company shouldn't have issues with expanding it if they need to.

We typically implement the solution for small to medium-sized organizations.

Technical support is not the best. I would rate them five out of ten. 

The issue is that in order to make a ticket, you may have to call and then you end up being on hold. Sometimes, the person who answers doesn't know how to resolve your issues so it can be frustrating. 

I also have experience with Oracle databases. I find Oracle to be a bit better than Db2 if I'm honest. They have a lot of functionality, for example, and can handle backup and recovery of data. This is not possible on Db2.

The solution is very easy to set up. It's not complex at all.

Deployment takes about one to two hours or so. It's not a long or arduous process by any means. 

You only need one person to deploy and maintain it.

I handle the implementation myself.

I don't know too much about the pricing of the solution. There may be extra fees on top of just the licensing fee. I'm not sure.

I'm looking at other databases right now. I'd prefer something with a backup functionality, which Db2 lacks.

We're currently IBM partners. 

I use the solution extensively. 

I'd like other companies to know it's quite easy to set up and maintain. If they are looking for something fairly easy to jump into, this may be it.

I'd rate the solution seven out of ten.

We are partners with IBM and I'm for implementing Power systems with DB2 in this company. 

We propose DB2 and other IBM products to our customers.

As with all IBM products, I like the reliability of this solution. Db2 is a robust relational database with great features. 

If you're already an IBM Customer or you use IBM products, you know they're powerful products.

 IBM recently purchased Red Hat and things are working more smoothly since then, there's more integration.

I think they need to improve the GUI and I'd like to see more integration with other platforms. 

If you have a project involving several platforms or databases it's the integration with other products that's crucial. Db2 has this capability but sometimes there are issues and you have to contact support to get things fixed. 

They haven't done extensive testing with integration; they'll often send you to third parties. It often means that you have to purchase additional products in order to integrate with other platforms and that's an additional cost. 

I've been using this solution for over 20 years. 

The solution is stable. 

The solution is very scalable. IBM has a mid-range and a mainframe system, so every product is made with scalability in mind. 

Their main target is medium and large size business so they're not interested in small business. 

The initial setup is very easy. 

There is an issue with IBM licenses pricing which is expensive, and it's the main downside of buying IBM products or databases.

I rate this solution an eight out of 10. 

A4: Automatic storage. Disk space management is one of the biggest pain points for a DBA. Even Oracle 11g R2 cannot do better than IBM DB2 when it comes to this feature.

The old system (Wealth Management) was on Microsoft SQL Server platform, however, the performance and stability couldn't meet our requirements. After migrating to DB2, it's much better.

Absolutely -- centralized management tools with UI interface, like Oracle EM .

Three years.

Yes. We even encountered DB2 bug on the Version 9.7.0.9 and it's the reason why we upgraded to Version 9.7.0.11 .

Yes. Many tables or indexes can't be scaled up without reorg step. As an unbreakable system, it's a very bad design.

8 out of 10. IBM Lab is quite strong. The site technical support is good, too.

See my answer to the 'Stability' question.

It's quite complex. It cannot be done without reference.

The reference documents and education resources in the market might not offer as much as Oracle Database or Microsoft SQL Server.

It's still much more than open source databases such as PostgreSQL, but much less than Oracle and Microsoft.

Calculating the license fee is always very complicated and only the IBM sales can get the final answer. It's not a transparent way.

Yes. Oracle Database.

Compared to Oracle, it is so much cheaper.

It has a good, stable performance, and it's not Oracle. 

Some of the internal rearrangement in the administration is not as straightforward as it is in competing products. 

Not very solid compared to its competitors' products.

Scales well enough for a relational database. Not exceptional; scales at or slightly below its peers.

Do not use it. Freely available documentation is a bit weak.

No. I have previous experience extensive with Oracle, SQL Server and Sybase. It is a good product. Better than Sybase, but not as good as Oracle, and comparable to SQL Server. 

I can't comment. I have no experience here.

They are competitive and honest (compared to how peer firms approach licensing conversations).

No, they were the incumbent.

Prototype any use of fringe functionality, XML-specific handling, JSON Processing, NoSQL Extensions, etc. 

Internet & Mobile banking database

E-Payroll & E-Statement solutions

Website database

A) The command set is almost the same in Windows and AIX operating systems, which greatly minimize the administration efforts to manage DB2 in both environments. Needless to say that working with the banking sector (which is my default playground) I need the ability to deal with many operating systems.

B) The ability to understand and interpret PL/SQL queries, with ease switching from Oracle to DB2.

C) Stability, scalability and security with high performance.

Our software products have to be PCI-DSS compliant, so encryption of customers' credit card numbers is a must-have feature. Using DB2 AWSE v11 enables us to do out-of-the-box encryption with ease.

Backing up databases from Windows and restoring them on AIX and vise-versa.

Support for migrating DB2 v9.7 to 11 in a single process with no intermediate versions jumping

No.

No.

IBM Knowledge Base is more than enough, I never asked them for support.

I used Oracle DB and am still using it with some of my customers, but Oracle administration is a nightmare compared to DB2.

The initial setup is straightforward, but securing your environment is a bit more complex.

Use DB2 Express for your development environment, but consider using Workgroup Server Edition if you need to federate two databases together or need to server a huge amount of data. If you plan to be PCI-DSS compliant, use AWSE.

MS SQL Server 2014 and Oracle 12g.

I recommend it to medium-to-large enterprise applications

My main use of Db2 is as an additional data source for integration or a source for integration adapters.

The most valuable features are the simplicity of the database and the access to Db2 and Db2 information.

I've been working with this solution for twenty years.

Db2 is stable and reliable.

IBM's technical support is good, it's an excellent reason to purchase Db2.

The initial setup was quick and easy.

IBM's products tend to be quite costly, especially given the availability of free, open-source alternatives.

I would rate Db2 eight out of ten.