As a follower of Virtualization technology, you have likely heard about the June 2011 Forrester Research report on Data Virtualization entitled Data Virtualization Reaches Critical Mass: Technology Advancements, New Patterns,  And Customer Successes Make This Enterprise Technology Both A Short- And Long-Term Solution.

As an employee of a data virtualization vendor, I especially enjoyed the section of the report that described data virtualization’s latest technology advancements and how these are delivering new value to data virtualization adopters across multiple industries.

Six Data Virtualization Technology Advancements Highlighted
Forrester highlights six particular technology advancements that are breaking down the barriers to data virtualization adoption and delivering new value to data virtualization users.  These include:

• Cost-based query optimization performance improvements that open the door for additional use cases and wider adoption;
• Distributed caching which sets the framework for global deployments;
• Improved discovery tools that simplify understanding of data and accelerate new development;
• Data masking and other security enhancements to better govern data delivery;
• Third party technology integration such as CDC and ESB to extend data virtualization tooling; and
• Big data integration to create new opportunities for analysis and insight.

Composite 6 Advances on the Same Dimensions
Interestingly, just a week prior to Forrester's report, my company, Composite Software launched Composite 6, the latest release of our data virtualization offering.  As a validation, I mapped key new features highlighted in the Composite 6 Brochure to Forrester’s data virtualization technology list above.  It’s quite aligned.

• Query Optimization
  • Oracle, Sybase IQ Data Ship Joins
  • Star Schema Optimization
  • Analytic Function Optimization

• Distributed Caching
  • Incremental Caching
  • Synchronized Edge Caching

• Improved Discovery Tools
  • Multiple Discovery Enhancements
  • Introspection Acceleration
  • Improved Developer Experience
  • Productivity Enhancements

• Data Masking
  • Enhanced Single Source Virtualization

• Third Party Integration
  • Enhanced Auditing
  • CDC for Incremental Caching
  • ESBs for Synchronized Edge Caching

• Big Data Integration
  • Hive/Hadoop Connectivity
  • Netezza Enhancements
  • Sybase IQ and HP VerticaPerformancePlus™ Connectivity
  • Additional “Big Data” Integration Support

It is not a surprise that Composite’s technology advancements so closely align with what Forrester believes is important.  Since 2002, Composite has been 100% focused on this virtualization-based style of data integration.  As such, our offerings are the most advanced in the data virtualization market.

Enteprises Adopt Data Virtualziation
Forrester places significant value on customer adoption.  Three Composite Software customers (Pfizer, Qualcomm and Deutsche Bank) were included in this report as a showcase of advanced data virtualization adoption in several industries.  You can learn more about their use cases in the following articles:

• Business Intelligence: How To Get Agile
• Pfizer's Michael Linhares Talks About Data Virtualization Software
• Pfizer's Prescription for Data
• SOA to the Rescue, When Drug Discovery Needs Data Fast!
• Rx for Data Woes
• Faster Data Integration Helps Pfizer Speed Decisions on Drugs
• Data Virtualization Layer Optimizes Qualcomm’s People Assets
• Data virtualization software vs. data warehousing: Qualcomm makes the call

• Intel Named "Platinum Sponsor" of Virtualization Conference & Expo
• Intel Named "Platinum Sponsor" of SYS-CON's Virtualization Conference & Expo
• How Enterprises Measure Data Virtualization Platform Maturity
• Data Virtualization - RDBMS vs Middleware
• Ready, Set, Go! Get Started on Data Virtualization
• Integration Competency Centers: Gateway to Data Virtualization Adoption