IBM plans to release <A HREF="http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,133502-pg,1/article.html">the final version of DB2 Viper 2,</A> a major upgrade to its DB2 9 database software, before the end of this year, a company spokesman said this week.

DB2 Viper 2 went into open beta last week and is the first major refresh of IBM's DB2 9 database since its release in July last year. The beta program is open to DB2 customers willing to test the software and provide feedback to IBM to help it hone the product, said Bernie Spang, director of IBM data servers.