Ingres has delivered a business intelligence appliance of its Icebreaker database and Linux combination, after teaming up with JasperSoft for its open source business intelligence (BI) suite.

Last February, Ingres launched Icebreaker, a tight coupling of the Ingres 2006 database with rPath's Linux distribution. The aim of the offering was to make it easier to install and manage the database and Linux combination, as well as substantially cut maintenance and support costs.

At the time, Ingres said it was hoping that third parties would want to build "appliances" on top of Icebreaker. Appliances are in fact software applications that are combined with a customized operating system where all the components are integrated and tested to work together with only a single install required. Ingres said earlier in the year that those efforts would be centered around business intelligence (BI) and live reporting.

Now Ingres has delivered the first open source application-specific software appliance, known as the Ingres Icebreaker BI Appliance. Ingres says the Icebreaker BI Appliance allows it to offer enterprise customers an integrated solution for BI applications "with a cost effective price point, easy installation, and single maintenance and support for the entire software stack."

With the Ingres Icebreaker BI Appliance, the BI software resides on top of the company's Icebreaker foundation, and is powered by JasperSoft's open source BI suite.

"Business Intelligence projects are one of the highest priorities for CIOs worldwide," said Deb Woods, Ingres vice president of product management.

"This optimization of our products combined with our relationship with JasperSoft offers customers a comprehensive solution that can address costs of ownership, integration, and maintenance," she added.

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