In an interactive general session that forms part of its Data in Action virtual conference, IBM has really hit the jackpot.

It has managed to snag Donald Feinberg, VP Distinguished Analyst at Gartner, to talk about current trends in the Data Management market. There is a live Q&A session too, and all of it - both the general session and the Q&A - are well worth viewing.

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Feinberg is a vice president and distinguished analyst in Gartner Intelligence in the Information Infrastructure group, where he's responsible for Gartner's research on database management systems and data warehousing infrastructure. He has 19 years at Gartner under his belt, and 44 years in the IT industry as a whole.

The topics that Feinberg examines include the problem of exploding data volumes, new computing paradigms for handling this explosion, data management cost reduction techniques and technologies, and the perspective of the DBA now and in the future.

For me the first captivating moment comes during his preliminary remarks, in which he reveals his refreshing attitude to the current economic "situation" (in other words the recession). Here's what he says:

"Cost optimization - I prefer the words "cost optimization" instead of "cost saving," "cost cutting," "cost reduction," all of which sound negative. "Cost optimization" sounds like a positive way to look at saving money in IT."

You can't afford to miss hearing Gartner's Feinberg on the state of the DBMS software market and data management challenges facing businesses today. Why not take a look right now? Just click below and within a few moments you'll be able to view the whole thing on your own screen. He's an engaging presenter and a complete master of his topic. It's a pleasure to watch!

One of the other things that is refreshing about Feinberg is that he goes out of his way not to use a term like "exponential growth," when referring to the rapid growth of data worldwide. "Exponential growth is a mathematical term," he says during the very interesting Q&A session, "and I prefer not to use if since it is not accurate to say that data growth is exponential."

This is just the kind of calm and accurate analysis the industry needs!

Click Here to View "Data in Action" Virtual Conference!