Other than IBM few vendors are able to offer a complete data warehousing solution that includes complete support from design through implementation, as well as the tools necessary to design, develop, and deploy the data warehouse. Several companies, including SAS, NCR, and Prism, offer close-to-complete solutions. The single vendor solution offers high levels of integration and cooperation. Information exchange between components is centrally managed and constant look and feel can be maintained. Also, it is likely that an overall price will be negotiable. From the business angle, this has to be seen as a good strategy.

IBM provides a seamless, end-to-end, client/server, parallel DBMS total solution based on one-stop shopping, form the parallel DBMS to object-based development tools, connectivity, and system management for heterogeneous databases, as well as IBM and third-party applications. Hardware can also be provided. No other vendor can provide the breadth and depth of 7x24 service and support, project management, and partnering with customers than IBM can provide for parallel environments. IBM has been, and still is, the world’s largest software company and the worlds largest database company. It provides free- and free-based services, as well as free bundled products for parallel environments.

The best-of-breed idea is diametrically opposed to the single vendor solution. The aim is to build an environment that fits the requirements of the organization. There is no compromise between databases and tools to support it, and the selected products and those best able to fulfill the criteria for functionality and price. However, the main point to consider here is the overall expense of buying best-of-breed solutions. The purchase of separate products does reduce the bargaining power for license costs.

The staying power of a vendor is as important as the functional characteristics of the product. Numerous information technology consolidations, restructuring, and mergers have resulted in software products being shelved or no longer marketed and supported. If you are to make the investment in data warehouse software and tools, ask for assurances that the products will continue to be supported, enhanced, and improved. This commitment is demonstrated by code quality, frequency of released, the existence of user groups, and the vendor’s ability to provide technical, educational, installation, and level of sales and number of technical employees, years in business, sales offices, and customer installations.

Best-of-breed or single vendor depends upon the company -- in a n environment that is not heavily technical, it is best to identify a single vendor and use the services and support offering of that vendor for a complete solution. When technical expertise is available in an organization, spend time watching the market and choosing the products that provide the best fit for the organization.

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