Embarcadero Technologies has released DB Optimizer, a new tool that lets developers and database administrators maximize database performance by detecting and reconciling SQL coding issues. The cross-platform DB Optimizer, which supports IBM DB2, offers quick discovery, diagnosis, and optimization of poor-performing SQL, eliminating performance bottlenecks and improving the operation of production databases and applications.

"Optimization is a critical part of the development lifecycle," says Greg Nerpouni, Embarcadero product manager. "By adding DB Optimizer to our core product portfolio, we can fully address customers' need to maximize overall performance whether they design, build, or run databases--independent of the platform or tools they are currently using."

Nerpouni adds, "DB Optimizer enables developers and database administrators to drill down into SQL-related issues at a detailed level while letting users focus their attention on the areas that boost productivity."

DB Optimizer is a SQL profiling and tuning Integrated Development Environment (IDE). By focusing in on specific SQL statements through query statistics, it can optimize any problematic reports.

Now available worldwide, the product sells for $1,500 per license in North America. The new tool also offers graphical visualization of wait-time analysis to pinpoint the SQL causing poor database performance, hyperlinked drill-downs to locate detailed activity information for an individual SQL statement, explanations for a better understanding of SQL execution and the performance costs, realtime quick fixes to automatically flag and correct inefficient SQL, and batch tuning of DML statements, stored routines, and entire SQL files. DB Optimizer is designed to work with all existing database tools to prevent performance-related outages and to help organizations maintain maximum database uptime.

--Vicki Hamende, application development & database editor