In this edition, we'll cover IBM's PureFlex Solution for IBM i, specifically focused toward the SMB market. Plus, IBM announces more Power Linux Centers in New York and Austin along with proposed Linux KVM support in 2014.

Written by Steve Pitcher

With running themes of "integration by design" and a "simplified experience," IBM PureSystems has been a relative hit in the worldwide server community, shipping over 4,000 units since its announcement just over a year ago. The fundamental characteristics of the AS/400 and now IBM i on Power Systems that inspired the descriptors for the IBM PureSystems family have come full circle as IBM announced the IBM PureFlex Solution for IBM i.

IBM i 7.1 gets even more awesome with augmentations to the February TR6 announcement. We're talking IBM i Access Client Solutions and the frighteningly cool Liberty profile for WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5. Plus, there's the 25th anniversary promotions for Power 720 and 740 servers.

Written by Steve Pitcher

IBM recently announced that IBM i 7.1 TR6 has been updated with usability, integration, and support enhancements.

First, we have IBM i Access Client Solutions, which is the Java-based application that gives customers a platform-independent option for the most-often-used components of IBM i Access for Windows, such as 5250 emulation, LAN console, and virtual control panel among others.

This week, we'll cover updated Power Systems rebates, news about COMMON Europe, COMMON Americas, and the push for more PowerLinux in China.

Written by Steve Pitcher

As per announcement letters 313-040 and 313-041, IBM has added POWER7+ hardware to the list of qualifying and eligible products in their software solutions' first-in-location or competitive migration rebate programs. You can receive a rebate equal to the total invoice price of the eligible new ISV software licenses acquired, up to a maximum rebate that is dependent upon the eligible new server minimum configurations outlined in the announcement letters. For example, if you purchase an ISV solution that costs $10,000, that's what you're entitled to as a rebate if the eligible hardware rebate value is greater than or equal to $10,000.

This week, we'll cover V5R4 receiving a service extension, the 8th annual Top Concerns survey from COMMON Europe, IBM marketing the heck out of IBM i, and the IBM i Professionals group on LinkedIn.

Written by Steve Pitcher

You probably knew that this was going to happen once the formal end of support for i5/OS V5R4 was announced for September 2013. IBM makes it official with announcement letter 613-004 stating that, because of significant demand, customers can continue to receive software support and maintenance for the next three years.

I was in Austin, Texas, last week for the COMMON User Group annual conference and exposition. There are plenty of highlights I want to discuss here.

Written by Steve Pitcher

IBM announced the AS/400 back on June 21, 1988. On April 8, 2013, IBM officially launched the IBMi25 25th anniversary campaign (although IBM i Chief Architect Steve Will let out some teasers a few days in advance). Check out the IBMi25 Facebook page set up for the celebration, and also view the first three of many videos in which key IBM i community members talk about the launch. It's all part of the promotion leading up to the 25th anniversary.

As always, there were plenty of announcements. Let's look at what the vendors, including IBM of course, told us.

Written by John Ghrist

The COMMON Conference and Expo concluded its inaugural visit to Austin, Texas, last week and featured the usual mix of IBM i professionals seeking education opportunities and independent software vendors unveiling enticing software upgrades and strategic-alliance announcements.

Today, we'll cover the price benefits of recycling old tin and some new PTFs you gotta get. I was going to say something about IBM naming the line of servers called the CanuckleHead after me, but it was a groaner. And I'm sure my editor will leave that in.

Written by Steve Pitcher

IBM really wants you upgraded to Power7 and Power7+ iron and subsequently away from IBM i 5.4. How much so? Effective March 18, 2013, IBM's trade-in value for older machines running IBM i 5.4 have been updated according to announcement letter 313-025. The rebates are based not on what older tin you turn in, but actually what you upgrade to.

Hardware eligible to upgrade are all 940x (feature codes 5028 through 5033), 8203-E4A (FC 0533), and 8204-E8A (FC 0533).

What's kind of odd is the Power7 rebates are deeper than the Power7+ rebates. For instance, the 6-way Power7 3.0 GHz 720 Express rebate is $4000, but the 6-way Power7+ 3.6 GHz 720 Express is only $400.

This week, I'm talking about the SWMA price increase and subsequent reduction; new collaboration options, including expanded support for IBM I; COMMON 2013; and Power Systems manufacturing going south of the border.

Written by Steve Pitcher

As I covered in my last article, IBM i software maintenance (i.e., SWMA) prices were scheduled to go up as of next month. But before customers could say "there goes the budget," or more likely afterward, the cost increase was declared null and void by IBM. That's a good thing if you're an IBM i customer as the announcement of the cost increase came on short notice when most of us already had our budget plans laid out for the year. Larger customers with systems in higher processor tiers and many active cores would've been on the hook for a significant amount of scratch.