2026 IDUG SGP Db2 Tech Conference

Day 1 - April 1, 2026

Singapore

9:30 | Spotlights 

A01 | Db2 for z/OS Trends and Directions (z/OS) 
Sueli Almeida, IBM

This session from Db2 for z/OS development leadership provides essential insight into Db2 strategy and technical direction. It will provide an overview of recent enhancements and the value that they provide. Just as importantly, it will place them in the broader context of where Db2 is headed. This will enable you to make important decisions now to position your business for the future of IBM's flagship database.

B01 | What's New - Db2 LUW Product Strategy and Roadmap Update (LUW) 
Greg Petrossian , IBM

Discover how Db2 is evolving to meet the Agentic AI Era. This session highlights our hybrid and public cloud strategy, new agentic capabilities that automate and optimize database operations, and the next wave of innovations shaping the Db2 roadmap.

10:50 | Session #2

A02 | From SQL Data Insights to SQL Data Insights Pro: A Deep Dive into New Capabilities (z/OS) 
Jae Lee, IBM 

Introducing SQL Data Insights Pro, planned for general availability in March 2026. This session begins with an introduction to SQL Data Insights, first delivered with Db2 for z/OS 13, followed by an overview of subsequent enhancements that have expanded its capabilities. The session then explores the latest advancements in SQL Data Insights Pro, including support for unstructured data stored in character columns and incremental training to improve model efficiency and scalability. Each feature will be demonstrated using sample data and AI queries, helping attendees understand how these capabilities work in practice.  Attendees will gain practical insights into these new capabilities and learn how to leverage them to extract greater value from their Db2 data. 

B02 | Technical Deep Dive on Db2 version 12.1.0 to 12.1.4 and a Sneak Peek at 12.1.5 (LUW)
Andrew Hilden and Dale McInnis, IBM

Db2 12.1 has evolved rapidly from 12.1.0 through 12.1.4, delivering meaningful gains in performance, manageability, security, and hybrid/cloud integration for mission-critical LUW deployments. This technical deep dive walks experienced Db2 practitioners through the most impactful capabilities introduced across these modpacks and fix packs, with a practical focus on what changes operationally and how to adopt them safely. We’ll examine key enhancements in backup and recovery, administrative automation, improvements for analytics and column-organized workloads, expanding ecosystem connectivity, and emerging patterns for lakehouse-style integration. The session includes a forward-looking “sneak peek” at what’s coming in 12.1.5.

12:00 | Session #3

A03 | Db2 Analytics Accelerator: V8 Migration Experiences, Future, and Customer Updates (z/OS)
Cuneyt Goksu, IBM

This session is deep dive technical details about Db2 Analytics Accelerator on IBM Z with latest V8 product updates, new capabilities, with migration details.  There will be z17 and LinuxONE 5 Migration Experiences with V7 and V8, platform specific details, migration planning and deployment details.  Session will contain IBM Z platform specific details z17 and LinuxONE 5, in the context of Accelerator such as machine configuration, CBU and Flex Capacity usage, different architecture alternatives for different business needs including GDPS usage with 2-, 3-, 4- site GDPS alternatives.  There will be Lessons Learned from PoCs, current implementations, architecture discussions and health checks.- V8 Migration experiences and latest status- Latest POC, Deployment, Installation experiences. What were the issues and how they’re resolved - V8 Update- Planned items for the future

B03 | Db2 Genius Hub: Introducing The New AI Assistant Powering the Autonomous Database Experience for Db2 (LUW) 
Greg Petrossian, IBM

This session highlights new Db2 Genius Hub capabilities that improve performance insight, diagnostics, security, and overall usability. You’ll see how the platform identifies performance impacts before you apply query recommendations, giving you clearer expectations for workload behavior. You’ll also learn how automated anomaly detection surfaces issues across key Db2 metrics and how enhanced monitoring now provides direct visibility into the health of the repository database so you can take timely action.

2:00 | Session #4

A04 | Db2 for z/OS Tuning Techniques: Practical Strategies for Maximum Performance (z/OS)  
Devanand Karunakaran, BMC

With growing data volumes, mixed workloads, and strict SLAs, effective tuning demands a structured, end-to-end approach. This session focuses on practical, real-world Db2 tuning techniques that deliver measurable performance improvements in production systems. Attendees will learn how to identify high-cost SQL using Db2 accounting and statistics data, analyze access paths with EXPLAIN, and apply targeted tuning at the SQL, object, and subsystem levels.

Topics include SQL and predicate optimization, index design best practices, EDM pool and sort tuning considerations, and understanding performance differences between static and dynamic SQL. Participants will leave with actionable techniques they can immediately apply to improve response times and control Db2 CPU usage.

The session covers dozens of new features spanning performance, problem diagnostics, security enhancements, and user experience improvements—offering a streamlined, more proactive approach to managing Db2 environments.

C04 | Low Risk Mainframe Application Modernization Using Java Accessing Db2 for z/OS (Cross Platform) 
Anthony Ciabattoni, IBM

Many companies chose to modernize their legacy mainframe Cobol applications using Java as powerful programming language. IBM worked closely with early adopters on capabilities that allow an incremental application modernization strategy for online and batch applications that is low risk for the business and delivers similar performance and scalability. Maryela and Kershaw will shortly describe approaches for modernizing Cobol applications using Java and walk through Cobol-Java inter-language capabilities for a low risk, improved business value approach. They will share optimizations and best practices for accessing data stored in Db2 for z/OS.

3:10 | Session #5

A05 | From SQL Data Insights to SQL Data Insights Pro: A Deep Dive into New Capabilities (z/OS)  
Jae Lee, IBM

Introducing SQL Data Insights Pro, planned for general availability in March 2026. This session begins with an introduction to SQL Data Insights, first delivered with Db2 for z/OS 13, followed by an overview of subsequent enhancements that have expanded its capabilities. The session then explores the latest advancements in SQL Data Insights Pro, including support for unstructured data stored in character columns and incremental training to improve model efficiency and scalability. Each feature will be demonstrated using sample data and AI queries, helping attendees understand how these capabilities work in practice.  Attendees will gain practical insights into these new capabilities and learn how to leverage them to extract greater value from their Db2 data.

B05 | Db2 AI Strategy Update for Developers (vector store, similiarty search, vector index, LangChain and more) (LUW) 
Dale McInnis, IBM

This developer-focused session walks through Db2's latest AI capabilities designed to simplify LLM application development. Through demonstrations and clear explanations, attendees will see how native vector storage and similarity search enable efficient embedding management without separate vector databases. The session covers built-in integration packages for LangChain and LlamaIndex, along with SQL-callable functions for invoking LLMs directly from the database, eliminating complex API orchestration. See how to build production-ready RAG and agentic applications entirely within Db2. Whether you're a developer, data engineer, or architect exploring these capabilities, this session provides an accessible overview with practical examples. No prior experience required.

C05 | Enhance Db2 Performance with Multi-Row Processing Techniques (Cross Platform) 
Chris Crone, Broadcom

Db2 provides many mechanisms to process (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and FETCH) multiple rows of data at a time. This session will provide an overview of these capabilities and provide insight on how to take advantage of them to improve performance and elapsed time in your applications.

4:30 | Session #6

A06 | Db2, IDAA and Safeguarded Copy: Resiliency Evolution and Integration (z/OS)  
Anthony Ciabattoni and Cuneyt Goksu, IBM

Ransomware and cyber attacks are increasing each and every day and prove to be extremely disruptive and expensive. Customers are often not prepared for attacks, and even if prepared, the major loss of data is inevitable. This session will concentrate on how to plan, prepare, and test for attacks and discuss what is available now and what integration is coming in the future. This includes both IBM Db2 for z/OS and IDAA focus.

B06 | Db2 Cloud Update: Introducing Db2 Serverless (LUW) 
Andrew Hilden, IBM

Join us for an introduction to Db2 Serverless, our upcoming Db2 SaaS offering that brings together simplicity for development and new workloads with enterprise‑grade reliability—all delivered through a completely infrastructure‑free experience. Db2 Serverless is designed for users building new applications as well as organizations running mission‑critical workloads that demand trusted Db2 performance and resilience. With Db2 Serverless, you can provision a database in seconds.

The service automatically scales in real time—instantly ramping up to meet workload demand and scaling down, even to zero, when not in use. This built‑in elasticity eliminates overprovisioning and idle environments, resulting in significant cost savings. You pay only for the resources your applications consume, making Db2 Serverless an efficient choice for both fast‑moving development teams and enterprise workloads. In this session, you’ll learn about Db2 Serverless and how it enables users to get started faster and use Db2 more efficiently than ever before all with a fully managed experience and without compromising the reliability and performance you expect from Db2.

Day 2 - April 2, 2026

Singapore

9:30 | Session #7

A07 | IBM Z Data and AI Strategy Update (z/OS)  
Cuneyt Goksu, IBM

Enterprises running Db2 for z/OS as a core data platform are all pursuing data and application modernization, especially as hybrid cloud, data fabric, and data lakehouse architectures reshape how Z data is integrated and consumed. This keynote-style session explores modernization challenges across past, present, and emerging architectures, with a focus on IBM Z Data and AI enterprise patterns. It examines architectural options for delivering Z data into cloud ecosystems, including replication, direct access, and virtualization—along with their technical and business trade-offs. Core products, integration approaches, and AI-enablement scenarios are highlighted through practical use cases, product capabilities, and forward-looking roadmaps.

B07 | Introduction to AWS RDS (LUW) 
Hans Siebrand, Amazon Web Services 

This presentation provides an overview of Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) for Db2, a fully managed database service that automates tasks such as provisioning, backups, and patching. It will highlight the benefits of using RDS for Db2, including increased efficiency, reduced costs, and high availability. We will cover the features and capabilities of RDS for Db2, including database server instance types, high-performance storage options, and enterprise-grade high availability. Additionally, it discusses licensing and pricing models, including the option to bring your own IBM software licenses or pay hourly for on-demand licenses through AWS Marketplace. We will also touch on recent launch announcements and upcoming features for RDS for Db2.

C07 | Application Modernization - Considered These Db2 for z/OS Capabilities? (Cross Platform) 
Anthony Ciabattoni, IBM

There are IBM Z application modernization initiatives ongoing in almost every organization using IBM Z Systems. Anthony shares common application modernization patterns and challenges. He will discuss Db2 for z/OS capabilities to support modern application architectures such as Microservices and share solution considerations and best practices.

10:50 | Session #8

A08 | Improved Availability Through the Evolution of Universal Table Space (UTS) (z/OS)  
Anthony Ciabattoni, IBM

Customers are constantly striving to perform essential DBA related tasks being driven by application improvements and evolutions. Non-Disruptive schema changes have been a major objective for the Db2 for z/OS ecosystem. This session will go through the evolution of Universal Table Space from the beginning up to current Db2 for z/OS Function Levels showing the innovative functionality that can be exploited to achieve the highest level of availability.

B08 | Cloud Update: Fully Managed SaaS, Bring-Your-Own-Cloud (BYOC) and AWS RDS for Db2 (LUW) 
Andrew Hilden, IBM

Join us for a deep dive into the latest innovations shaping the continued evolution of Db2 Cloud Services across leading cloud platforms. This session explores recent advancements in Db2 SaaS, AWS Amazon RDS for Db2, and Db2 as a Service on Microsoft Azure, including our Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC) deployment model. BYOC delivers the best of both worlds: the ease and operational simplicity of a fully managed service, combined with the control, security, and native integration advantages of running Db2 directly within your own cloud account.

You’ll learn how these offerings enable flexible deployment choices while meeting demanding enterprise requirements.Whether your focus is optimization, regulatory compliance, or overall cloud strategy or availability and features, this session will demonstrate how Db2 Cloud Services are designed to adapt to your needs—providing enterprise‑grade reliability, scalability, and flexibility.

C08 | Personal Experience: 40 Years of Battle Scars Managing Db2 for z/OS (Cross Platform) 
Steen Rasmussen, Broadcom

Having been a DBA from 1985 to 1995, followed by working in the field with Db2 customers around the world for 30 years, I have faced quite a few wildfires and wars. Join me and experience some of the most interesting ones and learn how partner tooling can augment native Db2 features – hopefully you will bring home some ideas and draw some benefits.

12:00 | Session #9

A09 | z/OS Fireside Chat - Ask the Experts (z/OS)  
Cuneyt Goksu, Sueli Almeida, and Anthony Ciabattoni, IBM
Chris Chrone, Broadcom
Phill Baker, BMC

Due to the nature of this presentation there are no presentation slides available 

B09 | LUW Fireside Chat - Ask the Experts (LUW) 
Greg Petrossian, Miran Badzak, David Kalmuk, Andre Hilden, and Dale McInnis, IBM

Due to the nature of this presentation there are no presentation slides available 

2:00 | Session #10

A10 | Streamlined Db2 Schema Management with CenterStage and Code4z (z/OS)  
Chris Crone, Broadcom

Break down the silos between DBAs and developers. In this session, we will demonstrate how Broadcom’s CenterStage and Code4z modernize Db2 for z/OS management. You will learn practical workflows to provision Db2 objects, automate schema changes, and deploy rapidly to test environments. Stop managing overhead and start innovating—see how to streamline your database lifecycle from development to deployment.

B10 | Db2 - Quantum Safe Database for Life (LUW) 
Dale McInnis, IBM

In this presentation we will introduce the fundamental of quantum computing and how it differs from classical computing.  The 4 main concepts of quantum computing will be examined ensure the audience is on a level playing ground.  Next we will dive into how quantum computing will affect the world of relational databases. How will quantum affect both query optimization as well as security.  We will wrap up with recommended areas of quantum that Db2 professional should focus on to keep their skill set current.

C10 | Db2 for z/OS Applications Empowered with OpenTelemetry (Cross Platform) 
Sueli Almeida, IBM

IBM System Z and Db2 for z/OS applications are essential to the successful operations and business workflows for major companies. Join our discussion on OpenTelemetry and its powerful impact on observability across your entire business environment. Whether you're a System Reliability Engineer or an Application Developer, this session is for you! Here's what you'll learn:

• An overview of the OpenTelemetry observability framework and how it helps generate, process, and distribute telemetry data.
• How Db2 for z/OS supports OpenTelemetry and how you can leverage it for your applications.
• How OpenTelemetry support aligns with the broader platform, i.e. IBM System Z and Db2 for z/OS, to enhance your operations.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your understanding and implementation of OpenTelemetry within Db2 for z/OS.

3:10 | Session #11

A11 | Autonomous Auditing of Db2 Security Related Tables (z/OS)  
Steen Rasmussen, Broadcom

Are you challenged with the tasks of having to provide audit reports detailing who has access to which objects and who has what privileges? Many Db2 sites are using a log tool to accomplish these tasks – but are you aware of the relatively new capabilities in Db2 dealing with security information stored in the catalog? We will dive into what Db2 has to offer natively and how you can handle regulatory requirements in an easier way, augmenting your current processes.

B11 | Db2 Bridge Update (LUW) 
Greg Petrossian, IBM

This session provides an update on IBM Db2 Bridge, IBM’s data movement and migration solution designed to simplify and accelerate database modernization. We’ll cover what Db2 Bridge is, the problems it solves, and where it fits in the broader Db2 portfolio. The presentation will highlight recent enhancements, supported use cases, and how Db2 Bridge enables efficient, reliable data and schema movement across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments. Attendees will also get a forward-looking view of the roadmap and how Db2 Bridge supports customer migration and adoption journeys.

C11 | Mastering Integrated Synchronization - Core Replication Protocol for IDAA and Data Gate (Cross Platform) 
Cuneyt Goksu, IBM

Integrated Synchronization is the core technology and replication protocol, which is part of Db2 for z/OS engine, used replicating data from Db2 for z/OS to targets in IDAA and Data Gate. This session goes into technical details of the protocol for Db2 for z/OS Sysprogs and DBAs. 

1. 1. Architecture of Integrated Synchronization
   2. Network setup requirements 
   3. Encryption setup - Certificates and RACF
   4. Encryption setup - AT-TLS
   5. Certificate lifecycle in Integrated Synchronization
   6. High Availability Setup
   7. Managing multiple targets for IDAA and Data Gate
   8. Monitoring and Planning

4:30 | Session #12

A12 | Exploring Db2 Explain Facility for the Next Gen of Db2 DBAs and using AI to Bridge the Skills Gap (z/OS)  
Phill Baker, BMC

Poorly written or optimized Db2 SQL queries can use huge amounts of CPU and render applications unusable causing business impact. This session will cover the different types of access paths the Db2 Optimizes uses to return data for queries and discuss their merits and use cases. We will look at the data written by the Db2 optimizer in the EXPLAIN tables and how we can interpret the data using AI to determine if an SQL is going to be cheap or expensive to run. The session will cover filter factors and the role of RUNSTATS on access path selection and cover how one can influence the access path.

B12 | Latest and Greatest in Db2 Connect driver version 12.1 while connecting to Db2 for z/OS 13 and Db2 for LUW 12.1 (LUW) 
Shilu Mathai, Rocket Software

This topic will cover what's new in Db2 Connect driver version 12.1 such as ODBC/CLI, JCC, Open Source drivers such as Go, Python, Node.js, Rust, Django, SQLAlchemy, Sequelize, PHP, Ruby/Rails, .NET full framework, .NET Core and EF/EF Core while working with Db2 for z/OS 13 and Db2 for LUW 12.1. It will also cover the new capabilities added in modern application development platforms such as VS Code Plugins and Visual Studio Add-ins while connecting to Db2.

C12 | Introduction of New Db2 Developer Tool - VS Code Extension (Cross Platform) 
Greg Petrossian, IBM

In this session, we’ll introduce the new Db2 Developer VS Code Extension, which is designed to modernize and simplify the Db2 development experience. Built for developers, the extension brings Db2 capabilities directly into Visual Studio Code, enabling a more efficient, intuitive, and integrated workflow. Attendees will get an overview of the key features, intended use cases, and how this tool helps developers interact with Db2 more productively using a familiar IDE. Join us to learn how the Db2 VS Code Extension can streamline development tasks and improve overall developer experience with Db2.