Altova Introduces DatabaseSpy 2007, the Data Management, Query, and Design Tool that Connects to All Major Databases

BEVERLY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2006--
Unique Multi-Database Solution Eases SQL Editing and Database Structure Design for a Fraction of the Cost of Single-Database Solutions

Altova(R) (www.altova.com), creator of XMLSpy(R) and other leading XML, data management, UML, and Web services tools, today announced the availability of DatabaseSpy(TM) 2007, a unique multi-database data management, query, and design tool. A natural progression from the essential database capabilities in Altova's popular XMLSpy, MapForce(R), and StyleVision(R) products, DatabaseSpy empowers database administrators, developers, and database-oriented IT managers, with an array of features designed to save time and ensure accuracy. Chief among them is its ability to interact with multiple databases of different types.

DatabaseSpy distinguishes itself from conventional database tools, which are typically constrained to a single database type and often have unwieldy user interfaces or limited functionality. Like all Altova tools, DatabaseSpy is beautifully laid-out and easy to use. It capitalizes on an elegant interface that simplifies querying, visualizing, managing, designing, and constructing relational databases. DatabaseSpy is also affordably priced, especially when compared to single-database tools sold by other third-party vendors.

"Relational databases are essential to modern business operations because of the critical information they contain," said Tim Hale, Director of Marketing for Altova. "However, it is impossible to get the full potential from all these databases if that requires dealing with separate text-based interfaces, complex SQL commands, legacy data structures, and continuous customization requirements. Altova DatabaseSpy frees database professionals from the constraints of earlier disjointed systems, making multi-database data management, query, and design simple and straightforward. It is the one tool to finally liberate data management."

Key features of DatabaseSpy 2007

DatabaseSpy is designed to be the database professional's universal database tool, with the ability to connect to the following database types: Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and 2005, Microsoft Access 2003, Oracle 9i and 10g, IBM DB2 8.x and 9, MySQL 4.x and 5.x, and Sybase 11. Additionally, DatabaseSpy is designed to operate with any database that uses an ADO or ODBC connection. Other key features of DatabaseSpy include:

-- Quick Connect Wizard - Lets users select any database table and retrieve all rows, or select just a sample to inspect the table's structure. DatabaseSpy also allows users to open and access multiple databases of different types at the same time.

-- Built-in SQL Editor - Makes generating SQL statements faster, easier, and more accurate thanks to helpers like auto-completion, syntax checking, color coding, and drag-and-drop editing.

-- Database Design Editor - Allows users to visualize or graphically design and build the structure of a database without the need to hand-write any SQL syntax. Users can drag and drop existing database tables onto the design pane to modify them or construct new tables from scratch.

-- SQL Preview Function - Lets users preview the generated SQL statements for database structure changes in the Design Editor before committing changes to the database.

-- Database Project Manager - Allows database connections, SQL files, design files, and favorites to be conveniently organized into project files and saved for quick reloading and reuse.

-- Export and Import Functions - Enables users to export data to XML, XML Structure, CSV, HTML, and Microsoft Excel formats and import data from CSV files.

-- Embedded Database Access - Gives IT staff, developers, and power-users access to the underlying databases in business software applications, allowing them to drill into data and perform maintenance tasks that might otherwise be impossible.

Exceptional XML compatibility

Because most databases in use today were not developed with XML compatibility in mind, DatabaseSpy offers unique capabilities that will help users to migrate existing database content for use in XML-based applications. In addition to exporting databases to XML files, DatabaseSpy can export database tables directly into Altova XMLSpy. As a result, users can leverage all the advanced features of XMLSpy as a means to accelerate their multi-faceted database/XML development projects.

Availability and pricing

Altova DatabaseSpy 2007 is immediately available for download and purchase with the (USD) list price for a single-user license starting at $129. The software may be downloaded and tried free for 30 days from: http://www.altova.com/download.html. Purchases can be made via the Altova Online Shop at: https://shop.altova.com.

Altova encourages the purchase of a Support and Maintenance Package (SMP), which provides free software version updates, maintenance releases, and priority technical support for the duration of the support period. SMP can be purchased for 25% of the product license price for a one-year period, or 20% per year for a two-year period.

For more information about DatabaseSpy, Altova's new multi-database data management, query, and design tool, visit the Altova Web site at: http://www.altova.com/products/databasespy/database_tool.html

About Altova

Altova accelerates application development and data management projects with software and solutions that enhance productivity and maximize results. As an innovative, customer-focused company and the creator of XMLSpy and other leading XML, data management, UML, and Web services tools, Altova is the choice of over 2.5 million clients worldwide, including virtually every Fortune 500 company. Enabling customers ranging from vast development teams in the world's largest organizations to progressive one-person shops, Altova's line of software tools fulfills a broad spectrum of business needs. Altova is an active member of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Object Management Group (OMG) and is committed to delivering standards-based platform-independent solutions that are powerful, affordable, and easy to use. Altova was founded in 1992 and has headquarters in Beverly, Massachusetts and Vienna, Austria. Visit Altova on the Web at www.altova.com.

Altova, XMLSpy, MapForce, StyleVision, and DatabaseSpy are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Altova GmbH in the United States and/or other countries. The names of and reference to other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.