The solution really doesn't add new features very often. Other solutions are much more actively pushing out upgrades and improvements. Informix just isn't extremely innovative.

Something we are looking for is, for example, data reduction. We want to do masking and it doesn't give a lot of flexibility. Oracle already has something to support us and can set out a policy for the data reduction and then you just simply set up and then you can use it without any writing of functions - plus, it's easier to do masking.

In my opinion, the packages could be improved. The version I use doesn't allow for packages. I can do some general procedures, but no packages like in Oracle. So, develop separate modules in SQL language. This would be most beneficial for me.

The key areas for improvement revolve around understanding the current customer trends and demands, particularly in software and database requirements. The product's performance could be better compared to Oracle.

What they're saying today is that IBM did not do the right thing with the old database of Informix. 

We need more marketing solutions for Informix as the marketing for Informix is very low here in Rio. They need to push it out more, to give it more visibility. In comparison, for example, Oracle is everywhere. They market everywhere. They are very visible.

The solution should offer replication.

It would be helpful if the solution would allow us to access third-party tools. Oracle, for example, has that capability.

The pricing is a bit expensive.

There most likely is a very large system, where some design modifications should be made to be ported on very large systems. When we're talking about terabytes of memory, things get a bit hectic, and some architecture design should be done at this level. Otherwise, nothing else needs to be done, because Informix is nearly perfect.

They are working on improving the administration interface. 

In terms of Oracle compatibility and the SQL language, I know that they are working on it, but it would be easier with the SQL Server.

It would be helpful to have IBM salespeople know that Informix exists, and sell it. Currently, it is completely ignored by IBM.

The initial setup can be improved slightly.

When I tried to make a connection, I started with the driver. I'm not sure in terms of IO, because we're experiencing the bad performance. So, I'm not sure if it's the database or the operating system.

Moreover, I have had difficulty finding skilled workers. There is room for improvement in terms of performance and ease of use.

This product could be made easier to use for beginners. As I have worked with it for quite a while, it is not difficult for me. However, some of my customers complain that it is too difficult to install and configure.

I am expecting the new version 14.1 that brings significant improvements to replication.

 With Informix, everything that's expected is met.

• Continue extending the SQL language for compatibility with the competition's language, including Stored Procedure Language.
• Be more active in the open source community.
• Regain occupation of VAR and BP fields.
• Regain occupation in software makers.
• The product needs a lot more marketing involvement from IBM. Some customers simply believe that Informix does not exist anymore due to the heavy silence of IBM Salesforce.
  

On the part of our development area, a feature that has another product with the SQL clause update from with several INNER JOIN.

To require an example, you confirm to send it.

The support team could include local engineers to establish efficient communication. It will help us speed up the escalation process.

This solution is in need of more current tools.

I'd like to see more functionality in Informix HQ to facilitate the administration of products. It's currently based on the UNIX command line and we don't have a very graphical interface to administer the data. I'd like to see more development in the language we use for developing a third procedure. 

I would like to see backups from secondary servers. 

The solution doesn't include functionality like data anonymization. We have this functionality in other solutions like In SQL and Oracle but not in Informix. IBM has another product for anonymization, called InfoSphere Optim. Some clients want that anonymization in the engine, not in another product. Instead of making it a separate product, they should merge the two, or make anonymization available in this solution as well.

There should be more intelligence surrounding discovering data to be able to automatically create indexes.

This solution would be improved with offline data export.

I really would love to have a QT plugin.