IBM SEs from the 80's were only multi-platform in the sense of the midrange boxes (S3x, S32, S34, S36, S38, almost forgot the Series 1). And back then mainframes, midrange, and PCs didn't really cross over each others capability boundaries. <p>If IBM "empowers" (as you stated) the SMB division to sell across lines, then profit will drive this SMB staff. And profit says IBM makes more money selling PCs.

This is a discussion about <B>System i Schism: Much Ado About Nothing</b>.<p align='center'><a href=http://www.mcpressonline.com/mc? This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it @.6b50a145>Click here for the article</a>.</p>

The splitting of the division may help revive growth with the "i", it just remains to be seen. IBM as a whole has no emotional investment in the system, but its users sure do. <p>It may also turn out like the reaction of the Oracle salesman who was best man at my daughter's wedding. I told him the system I work on, and he told me how the JDE World customers just refused to come off the system. Must be frustrating to them. <p>I think these other divisions are going to find a similar situation in a lot of shops, and maybe more of them will get to know this system. <p>--Alan