Did you know DB2 Web Query has output options to send your reports directly to Excel? Learn about some of the tool's features that will help you easily and quickly build Excel spreadsheets.

Written by Gene Cobb

In part 1 of this series, "TechTip: DB2 Web Query and Excel Spreadsheets: Easy as Pie!, Part I," I provided an introduction on the basic DB2 Web Query output options to Excel spreadsheets. In this TechTip, I expand upon those capabilities and show you how to take advantage of Excel's multiple worksheet capability by using the following DB2 Web Query features: table of contents and compound documents.

Detect reoccurring issues that require investigation.

Written by Kurt Thomas

QMessage Monitor's features include the ability to keep a watchful eye on events occurring in the Audit Journal. It translates audit journal messages into system messages (with a msg ID of UPW*) and escalates exception messages for the attention of administrators in real-time

Users need a flexible query tool that is powerful and easy to use.

Written by Heath Kath

Is your query tool up to date and function-rich? Are you able to build queries that end users, managers, and departments can use? Can it collect data from or send data to other systems or platforms? Does it provide run-time prompting? Does it handle data-mapping errors, especially around numeric date fields? Does it take advantage of SQL Query Engine (SQE) to improve run-time performance? Does it provide multiple interfaces—green-screen, Web browser, and GUI? Can it send query results directly to a PC document (.xlsx, PDF, text, HTML, etc.)?

New multiple-event triggers can simplify your SQL trigger development and management.

Written by Kent Milligan

As the utilization of SQL triggers continues to rise, some developers are being challenged by the fact that they must define a separate SQL trigger for each database event they want to associate with a trigger. Consider a developer who wants to use SQL triggers to ensure that any Insert or Update operation against the customer table always stores the company name value with all uppercase characters. In this situation, the developer would have to create two triggers: one trigger for the Insert event and one for the Update event.

Robot/CONSOLE eliminates manual monitoring on IBM i.

Written by Chuck Losinski

Our customers love that Robot never calls in sick, takes a vacation, or has a bad day. An ideal employee! Here are six ways Robot/CONSOLE automatically monitors your messaging and resources with system availability issues.

Finally, a decent client is available from IBM for non-Windows platforms!

Written by Barry L. Kline

In my recent article "Is IBM i Access for Linux Right for Your Shop?", I reviewed IBM's Linux offering for accessing the IBM i's database and for providing 5250 emulation. The executive summary of that article is simply, "It's great for ODBC connectivity, but the emulator is best replaced by one of the open-source emulators or commercial alternatives." Shortly after the article was published, I received two emails from readers (Thanks to both Bobs!) recommending that I give IBM's Java-based offering a try.

An automated checklist fits in seamlessly with a proactive approach to systems management.

Written by Kurt Thomas

Checklists are an indispensable aid to professionals as varied as airline pilots and surgeons through to IT administrators. (Even with all that festive magic at his disposal, Santa Claus himself couldn't do his job without one!) What is it that makes checklists so special, and how has such a simple concept retained its significance and value in a world that functions and depends increasingly on sophisticated systems, procedures, and technology? The answer lies in the checklist's ability to bring order to the chaos of this sophistication. In the case of an airline pilot's pre-flight routine, her checklist not only acts as an aid to memory, but also imposes a system of sequential procedures that collectively dictate what amounts to "best practice" in the cockpit (giving due consideration to factors including safety, performance, passenger comfort, service, resources, and industry regulations to name but a few).

PowerTech leaks details from its 10th "State of IBM i Security" study.

Written by Robin Tatam

A decade has passed since PowerTech published the first hugely popular "State of IBM i Security" study; however, despite the evolution of the server and the operating system, many configuration vulnerabilities remain the same.