DB/Text or Content Server (CS) - Comparison

Many Inmagic products can now be purchased in either the DB/Text or CS (Content Server) version. Clients now have the flexibility to select the product that best fits their needs based on configuration, scalability, usage and budget. Inmagic have announced that they have no immediate plans to discontinue either product family.

Technical Questions:

Q: What is the difference between the two product lines?

A: DB/Text runs on a proprietary backend textbase data store whereas CS branded products run on a Microsoft SQL Server backend. The functionality and even the look of the desktop screens are essentially the same.

Q. Why is there a need for two product lines?

A. Many larger organizations now require that database applications be based on an industry standard product such as Microsoft SQL Server.

Q. What implications does the type of datastore have?

A. As CS is based on MS SQL and provides transactional processing, it is less vulnerable to database corruption than the DB/Text proprietary platform. For example when a save fails to complete properly, it rolls back to the previous version. We would definitely recommend that the few clients who have experienced issues with network glitches causing error messages in DB/TextWorks upgrade to the CS platform.

Q. Is a copy of Microsoft SQL Server needed to run CS?

A. CS products are available in WorkGroup and Standard levels. WorkGroup usesSQL Server 2005 Express Edition. This is a redistributable, scaled down version of SQL Server which is ideal for client applications requiring an embedded database and websites serving up to 25 concurrent users. It is fully compatible with SQL Server. CS Standard and CS Enterprise do require a license of the full Microsoft SQL Server.

Q. Will CS Workgroup with SQL Express allow for the same number of users as DB/Text WorkGroup?

A. CS WorkGroup based on SQL Express does not have a set number of nodes like the DB/Text products. There is also no workload governor as in the previous MSDE version. The only performance limitation that SQL Server 2005 Express possesses is that it can access only a single CPU and 1 GB of RAM. This is less than the 2-CPU and 2-GB limitation of MSDE. However, SQL Server 2005 Express provides a much more predictable environment than does the MSDE workload governor. The new SQL Server 2005 Express ceiling of 1 GB of RAM coupled with today's high performance processors provides more than adequate capacity for a large number of concurrent users.

Q. I thought Content Server used MSDE not SQL Express?
A. Versions of Content Server up to version 1.3 used MSDE as a datastore. However MSDE is being phased out by Microsoft with the introduction of SQL Express. CS version 9 may be used with either MSDE or SQL Express.

Q. Are there any different database administrative issues with switching to CS?

A. Certain functions have been moved from the desktop interface to the separate Content Server Administration program (i.e. Check Textbase, Delete Textbase etc.) for added security. As CS uses SQL Express, database administrators will need to be aware of Microsoft bulletins and hot fixes for SQL Express/SQL Server as for other Windows products. The detailed Inmagic Content Server Administrator’s Guide covers ongoing and administrative tasks.

Q. Can I backup or copy my textbases the same way using CS as DB/Text?

A. Instructions for backing up textbases are in the Content Server Administrator’s Guide. Currently files required by CS are stored both inside SQL Server (data files) and outside (textbase elements). The Backup Textbase option in the Content Server Administration program will backup records, indexes, validation and substitution lists. The textbase definitions, elements such as forms, logfiles and menu screens will need to be backed up separately. It is recommended that a Windows scheduled batch job be set up to co-ordinate automatic backups.

Q. Is it possible to run both DB/Text and CS on the same server or PC?

A. Both can be run concurrently. The programs have similar but different file extensions, eg. .cba versus .tba and on the web an ics-wpd versus dbtw-wpd virtual directory. However clients who upgrade are bound under the licensing agreement to remove the superseded program within a reasonable time frame.

Q. How can textbases be converted for use with CS?

A. A utility is provided for converting multiple databases at once. However it is also quick and easy to do the conversion manually. Dump a textbase from DB/TextWorks, then use Create New Textbase in CS. Specify that this should be based on an existing DB/TextWorks textbase and choose whether to also include forms and validation lists etc. Load new textbase in CS.

Q. What changes will be needed to switch DB/Text WebPublisher PRO query screens and forms to CS/WebPublisher PRO?

A. Web query screens can be re-exported or the raw HTML code can be edited to reflect the changed file links, ie. /ics-wpd/jscript/ics-q-main.js. Canned searches will also need to be edited to point to the icswpp.dll.

Q: Do both web products support XML and ODBC?

A: Both DB/Text WorkGroup and CS/WorkGroup include XML and SOAP for browser based searching, display and editing. DB/Text WorkGroup also currently includes an ODBC driver and an ODBC driver was released for the CS product family earlier this year.

Q: What are the differences between CS versions?

A: Inmagic offers WorkGroup and Standard licenses. The WorkGroup version with SQL Express only supports textbases up to 4 gigabytes and limited concurrent users. WorkGroup also only supports SQL Authentication, whereas the Standard version uses Windows Authentication.

Pricing and upgrades:

Q: What is the cost to switch from DB/Text Workgroup to CS Workgroup?

A: Clients with 5 user or above licenses of DB/TextWorks and /or WebPublisher PRO can switch to the CS equivalent for the cost of new media, i.e. new CD(s) plus shipping and handling.

Q: What are the price differences between the DB/Text Workgroup and the CS Workgroup versions?

A: Both products are priced the same. DB/Text Workgroup includes a 5 user license of DB/TextWorks and a license of DB/Text WebPublisher PRO. CS Workgroup includes a multi-user (SQL Express) CS/TextWorks and CS/WebPublisher PRO.

Q: Are single user licenses of DB/TextWorks still available? What about a 2-4 user license?

A: Only the DB/TextWorks product line is available in a single user license. DB/TextWorks can also be purchased in multiples of 5 nodes. CS/TextWorks is only available in a multi-user (SQL Express) license.

Q: Are upgrades possible from 1, 2, 3 or 4 node licenses?

A. There is no upgrade pricing from stand alone or DB/TextWorks 2,3 or 4 node licenses - all upgrades are at full price.

Q: Are there options to upgrade web products?

A: Inmagic has revised upgrade pricing to encourage existing clients with older software such as WebPublisher, WebPublisher Lite etc. to move up to one of the current product lines.

Q: Are there deals to add web functionality for existing DB/TextWorks users?

A: Clients with licenses of DB/TextWorks can add-on web products to move up to DB/Text WorkGroup or CS/WorkGroup.


Contact Andornot for further information