In The Spotlight
Learn why recreating your SQL routines can improve performance.
By Kent Milligan
As a developer, it’s easy to operate by the motto “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That practice is understandable, given there’s usually not enough hours in the workday to get everything done. If you have SQL procedures, functions, or triggers that are frequently used, then you may be able to improve performance by making an exception to this practice.
Carol provides her suggestions for doing things differently in 2021.
By Carol Woodbury
With the new year upon us, resolutions are being made. I’m not really a resolution person, but every year I do try to look forward and see if there’s something that I could to do differently. You know that old adage: to do something the same way over and over and expect different results is the definition of insanity. I think we’ve had enough insanity for one year, so let’s take a look at five actions I’d like to see IBM i administrators adopt this year and why.
More Than Quarter Century of Patent Leadership Demonstrates IBM's Long-Term Commitment to a Culture of Scientific Discovery and Innovation
IBM (NYSE: IBM) scientists and researchers received 9,130 U.S. patents in 2020, the most of any company, marking 28 consecutive years of IBM patent leadership. IBM led the industry in the number of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, quantum computing and security-related patents granted.
"The world needs scientific thinking and action more than ever," Darío Gil, SVP and Director of IBM Research
"The world needs scientific thinking and action more than ever. IBM's sustained commitment to investing in research and development, both in good and in challenging times, has paved the way for new products and new frontiers of information technology that have greatly benefited our clients and society," said Darío Gil, Senior Vice President and Director of IBM Research. "The culture of innovation at IBM is stronger than ever, thanks to our inventors worldwide who devote themselves to advancing the boundaries of knowledge in their respective fields every single day."
IBM led the industry in the number of U.S. patents across key technology fields:
- Making AI More Intuitive
- IBM received more than 2,300 AI patents as inventors developed new AI technologies to help businesses scale their use of AI. Patents in this area ranged from technology to make virtual agents more responsive to emotions when speaking to customers, to AI that can help people make difficult decisions -- summarizing key decision points from a variety of information sources, both written and verbal, and presenting them in easy-to-understand visualizations. IBM is focused on delivering innovations in natural language processing, automation and building trust in AI, and continually infusing new capabilities from IBM Research into our IBM Watson products. In 2020, this included the IBM Watson team announcing the first commercialization of capabilities from Project Debater – a technology that digests massive amounts of text and constructs a well-structured speech on a given topic and delivers it with clarity and purpose.
- Streamlining Hybrid Cloud Deployments at the Edge
- IBM received more than 3,000 patents related to cloud and hybrid cloud technologies. One of the crucial decisions CIOs face today is determining which data will be processed on premises and which will be processed in the cloud. IBM inventors developed a technology to intelligently distribute the data processing components between the cloud, the edge and computing devices in-between. It offers the potential to greatly optimize the hybrid cloud for IoT workloads – such as GPS-generated driving instructions - that are sensitive to latency. Edge and hybrid cloud offerings are crucial parts of IBM's product roadmap. In 2020, they included the launch in May 2020 of the IBM Edge Application Manager, an autonomous management solution to enable AI, analytics and IoT enterprise workloads to be deployed and remotely managed, delivering real-time analysis and insight at scale. In addition, in November 2020, IBM announced the IBM Cloud for Telecommunications to help companies unlock the power of edge and 5G in November 2020. The holistic hybrid cloud offering leverages IBM's innovative encryption capabilities, designed to enable mission-critical workloads to be managed consistently from the network core to the edge, to position telecom providers to extract more value from their data while they drive innovation for their customers.
- Laying the Foundation for Powerful Quantum Applications
- Quantum computing is a major focus for IBM and this is reflected in IBM's leadership in quantum computing patents obtained. One patent, for example, simplifies the mapping of quantum molecular simulation on a quantum computer. As a result, researchers will be able to explore simulating chemical reactions on quantum computers to understand how and when the discovery process around new materials and new pharmaceuticals will be revolutionized. IBM was also granted a patent that sets the foundation for investigating more accurate and efficient risk analysis calculations on a quantum computer. These ideas are already being extended by research done in collaboration with leading financial institutions.
- Maximizing Security for the World's Most Sensitive Data
- As enterprises work to protect their data, particularly in highly-regulated industries, IBM inventors received more than 1,400 security-related patents. One of the patents is used for fully homomorphic encryption (FHE), an IBM-pioneered method of performing computation on data that remains encrypted while being processed in order to maximize security for data in use. Previously, processing encrypted data required decryption before processing and re-encrypting the results, thus making data more vulnerable while unencrypted. IBM inventors patented a technique that allows encrypted data to be organized so that FHE vector comparison operations can be performed efficiently and maximizes the security of the data. IBM Security launched a service that allows companies to experiment with fully homomorphic encryption in December of 2020.
Patents were awarded to more than 9,000 inventors located in 46 U.S. states and 54 countries. Since 1920, IBM has received more than 150,000 U.S. patents and played a crucial role in innovations ranging from magnetic storage to laser eye surgery. IBM's culture of scientific research is integral to the company's legacy of innovation that matters to our clients and to the world. To that end, in April 2020, IBM announced that it was a founding partner of the Open COVID Pledge, which grants free access to the patents and patent applications of its portfolio of more than 80,000 patents worldwide to those developing technologies to help diagnose, prevent, contain or treat coronaviruses.
Read more about IBM's patent leadership here.
*2020 patent data is sourced from IFI Claims Patent Service: http://www.ificlaims.com.
Enhanced PHP RPMs come with optional setup & support services
Seiden Group, specialists in IBM i open source development, today releases their enhanced CommunityPlus+ PHP RPMs to the general public. The Seiden PHP repository, accessible free to registrants at seidengroup.com/install-communityplus-php, streamlines the installation of license-free PHP while delivering solid performance.
Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into your enterprise's business processes isn't like installing a new accounting program. It requires strong leadership, vision, and a willingness to consider questions some in the organization may think are already settled issues.
By John Ghrist
Odds are, if you're interested in AI, one of the reasons is that you see it as something your organization could use to boost its bottom line. You'd be right about that, but getting there is anything but a typical IT project. To be maximally effective, AI adoption calls for contemplating a transformational strategy that goes beyond mere technology to include a business's strategic goals, its ways of doing business, its people, and even its corporate culture. The benefits can be huge, but the process of getting there will likely require a re-evaluation of some fundamental aspects of your organization and its business.
Top reasons to look at performance before you leap to the cloud
By HelpSystems
Editor's note: This article introduces the May 2020 Webinar: IBM i Cloud Migration Considerations, which is On-Demand and available to download and view from the MC Webcast Center.
Imagine your boss says it’s time to migrate to the cloud. He’s excited about being the first on the block, plus it would look good to eliminate the capital expenditure (capex) of your on-prem data center. So, what’s it going to take?
Maybe these companies were able to pivot easily because IBM i doesn’t require the daily hand-holding required to keep other platforms working.
By Steve Pitcher
It’s easy to look at the year 2020 with contempt.
I’ve done it. Most all of us probably have. There’s no reason to do a recap of 2020. It started with a near-miss war with Iran, and it hasn’t let up since. I was joking the other week that the only thing we’re missing in 2020 is the equivalent of the Ten Plagues of Egypt. And we still have a couple of months for that to unfold.
Learn why recreating your SQL routines can improve performance.
By Kent Milligan
As a developer, it’s easy to operate by the motto “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That practice is understandable, given there’s usually not enough hours in the workday to get everything done. If you have SQL procedures, functions, or triggers that are frequently used, then you may be able to improve performance by making an exception to this practice.
In this second and final part of this short series about mobile app dev, let’s talk about grids and glyphicons.
By Jan Jorgensen
In a previous article, I covered how the grid system in Bootstrap works, so in order not to bore you I will try not to repeat myself.
The grid system in version 4 is still based on a maximum of 12 columns! But even though the grid system seems the same from version 3 to 4, something has changed under the hood. In Bootstrap 3, the grid system was based on floats, but that changed in Bootstrap 4; it is now based on flexbox.
Carol provides her suggestions for doing things differently in 2021.
By Carol Woodbury
With the new year upon us, resolutions are being made. I’m not really a resolution person, but every year I do try to look forward and see if there’s something that I could to do differently. You know that old adage: to do something the same way over and over and expect different results is the definition of insanity. I think we’ve had enough insanity for one year, so let’s take a look at five actions I’d like to see IBM i administrators adopt this year and why.
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Current Events All Events
January 19, 2021
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. CST
Why are more organizations interested in single sign on (SSO)? Is it because IT teams are tired of managing passwords? Or perhaps it’s because they’re frustrated with employees reusing passwords that have been previously been compromised, leaving their organizations vulnerable.
Regardless of the reason, the use of single sign on is on the rise. You'll learn about SSO as well as the technologies IBM i provides for implementing SSO.
- 19 January 2021 - 19 January 2021
5:45 pm PT - Sound Check/Social Time
6:00 pm PT - Much Ado about SQL
Event location: This will be a remote-only event. We will not be meeting in person.
Much Ado about SQL - We live in exciting times as the Db2 for i team keeps adding new SQL features and functions with every Technology Refresh. These additions are making it easier for IBM i developers to get to information that was previously only available via complex APIs, or was just not available. Simon will demonstrate a variety of tips, techniques, and ideas to take advantage of these additions to simplify many of your programming needs and daily tasks.
Simon Hutchinson - Simon’s experience with IBM midrange started over 30 years ago in the United Kingdom, in a pre-AS/400 world. Since immigrating to the USA, in 1992, he has worked mostly in the South West and is currently IT manager responsible for PowerSystems and IBM i for large bank in Central Texas.
Simon has been writing his acclaimed IBM i blog, RPGPGM.COM, for seven years sharing his knowledge, experience, and giving many detailed examples of the latest RPG, SQL, and CL. He was recognized by IBM as an IBM i Community Contributor in 2020.
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Webinar Access Info
OCEAN January 2021 - Much Ado about SQL
Tue, Jan 19, 2021 5:45 PM - 7:15 PM (PST)
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- 19 January 2021 - 19 January 2021
- World Wide Web
Join us Friday, January 22nd at 11 AM EST
We're continuing to provide bite-sized technical sessions to help make your workday easier. Join Pete Massiello as he presents Understanding Display Firmware Status
Presented by
Pete Massiello
- 22 January 2021 - 22 January 2021
- World Wide Web
Wednesday, January 27th
11:00 AM ET
Let's get back to the basics. These sessions are designed for anyone starting out as an IBM i sys admin, looking to refresh their knowledge, or looking to learn more.
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Presented by Steve Pitcher Account Executive & Systems Engineer iTech Solutions LinkedIn | Twitter |
Steve has been involved with IBM i since 2001 primarily in the manufacturing and distribution industries. Over that period he’s been a systems administrator, developer, IT Manager and IT Director. He joined iTech Solutions in 2017 in a combined sales/technical role, bringing additional expertise in security, IBM Lotus Domino and WebSphere.
A longtime IBM Champion, first as part of the inaugural group for IBM Collaboration Solutions (2011) and then as an IBM Champion for Power Systems (2016-present), you’ll find Steve speaking at events around the world about IBM i administration, modernization and security. He’s been a community advocate on the COMMON Americas Advisory Council since 2012 and is currently serving on the COMMON Board of Directors.
- 27 January 2021 - 27 January 2021
- World Wide Web
January 28, 2021
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST
It’s time to set the record straight about encryption on IBM i.
Strong encryption is more important than ever, with cyberthreats growing in number and sophistication every day. But most IBM i organizations are not encrypting their IBM i database.
In fact, the latest IBM i Marketplace Survey shows that many IBM i organizations have no plans to implement database encryption. When you consider all the ways strong encryption could avert a data breach disaster, this is quite a surprising result.
In this webinar, IBM i security expert Sandi Moore breaks down some of the most common (and persistent!) myths that stop IT pros from implementing encryption on IBM i. She’ll also give you a peek at our Powertech Encryption solution that makes database encryption easier, faster, and more secure than other options on the market.
If you’re concerned with protecting your IBM i data, you don’t want to miss this event.
- 28 January 2021 - 28 January 2021
- World Wide Web
Join us Friday, January 29th at 11 AM EST
We're continuing to provide bite-sized technical sessions to help make your workday easier. Join Marc Vadeboncoeur as he presents Managing NetServer from a Command Line Interface.
Presented by
Marc Vadeboncoeur
- 29 January 2021 - 29 January 2021
- World Wide Web
February 11, 2021
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST
Cyber attacks often target mission-critical servers, and those attack strategies are constantly changing. To stay on top of these threats, your cybersecurity strategies must evolve, too.
In this session, IBM i security expert Robin Tatam will provide a quick recap of IBM i security basics and guide you through some advanced cybersecurity techniques that can help you take data protection to the next level.
Robin will cover:
- Reducing the risk posed by special authorities
- Establishing object-level security
- Overseeing user actions and data access
If you’re responsible for cybersecurity at your organization or you work on the IBM i platform, you don’t want to miss this chance to take your knowledge of IBM i security beyond the basics.
- 11 February 2021 - 11 February 2021
- World Wide Web
Discover how to maximize the business value of our robust platform:
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Super Charge Developer Productivity
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Empower User Data Access
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Modernize Your Apps and Database
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Enhance Your Skills
NEUGC is the largest technical conference in New England for IBM i. Don't miss this annual opportunity to learn and network.
Learn Skills You Can Put to Work Immediately
- Delve into new technologies and techniques
- More than 60 sessions
- In depth seminars
- Visit the Solutions Center
- Hear the latest IBM announcements
- Future-proof your career
- Your best training value for 2021!
Bring Your Manager to Learn Day
- Purchase four (4) two-day conference passes for team members
- Your CIO or IT Director may then attend NEUGC on Tuesday only at no charge - see Registration for details
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- 03 May 2021 - 05 May 2021
- Sheraton Framingham
- 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701
A digital event experience, May 11–12, 2021
Hybrid cloud is smarter infrastructure for smarter business. Think is where it comes to life.
Our flagship event experience is where advancements in world-changing technologies become real, through real-world case studies, technical exploration and visionary thought leadership.
Think 2021 shows how to positively impact the world through technology like hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence. And it provides the insights, education and valuable connections your business needs now.
- 11 May 2021 - 12 May 2021
- World Wide Web
Ghosts and witches—they’re kid stuff. But there really are other things to be afraid of.
By Victoria Mack
This being October, Steve Pitcher has a bit of a Halloween scare for you. But this goblin isn’t a fantasy. It’s real. IBM has announced end of support for the exceptionally popular POWER7 machines. Will IBM offer extended hardware maintenance? Who knows? It hasn’t happened yet. Read Steve’s article to see his perceptions of what some may consider a truly horrifying announcement.
The younger generations are coming into our world, enriching it with new ideas and perspectives.
By Steve Pitcher
It’s kind of a funny story. I was in one of my first onsite meetings at iTech Solutions back in the spring of 2017. We had the whole team in the boardroom going over strategies and discussing how we were going to achieve them. Back then, I was 38 years old. I remember coming up with an idea and the room fell silent. The next words from someone were “Wow! From the mouths of babes!”
Back then, I was the youngest person in the company. We’ve added quite a few younger people since. But I found it really interesting that someone like me, with close to 20 years’ worth of IBM i experience and definite strands of gray hair at the time (and many more now), could be a target candidate for that statement.
These days, consumers expect retailers to provide information tailored personally just for them.
In the industry’s current disruptive environment, retail and consumer product companies are competing with new business models and being forced to refresh their consumer experiences and brand engagements to be more relevant.
A new IBM study finds retailers' current strategies to deliver engaging brand experiences are not keeping pace with what customers’ expect and want out of their brick and click shopping experiences.
Do you realize how many of your personal or business devices are connected to the Internet? Let's talk about that.
By Jan Jorgensen
The Internet of Things (IoT): You've heard somebody talk about it; or you've read about it in a newspaper, in a tech magazine, or on a website; or you've attended a seminar or conference where somebody told you about the next big thing.
There’s value in recognizing what customers have: a modern infrastructure to build upon.
By Steve Pitcher
It’s official. The date has passed. IBM i and IBM Power Systems have now been brands in business longer than the AS/400 was.
IBM Notes Domino gets a new future with HCL Technologies.
By Steve Pitcher
On October 25, 2017, IBM announced (well, they blogged it) that they were entering into a strategic partnership with HCL Technologies to give the following products a new lease on development life:
RESOURCE CENTER
WHITE PAPERS
WEBCAST
TRIAL SOFTWARE
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Mobile Computing and the IBM i
Mobile computing is rapidly maturing into a solid platform for delivering enterprise applications. Many IBM i shops today are realizing that integrating their IBM i with mobile applications is the fast path to improved business workflows, better customer relations, and more responsive business reporting.This ASNA whitepaper takes a look at mobile computing for the IBM i. It discusses the different ways mobile applications may be used within the enterprise and how ASNA products solve the challenges mobile presents. It also presents the case that you already have the mobile programming team your projects need: that team is your existing RPG development team!
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Automate IBM i Operations using Wireless Devices
Download the technical whitepaper on MANAGING YOUR IBM i WIRELESSLY and (optionally) register to download an absolutely FREE software trail. This whitepaper provides an in-depth review of the native IBM i technology and ACO MONITOR's advanced two-way messaging features to remotely manage your IBM i while in or away from the office. Notify on-duty personnel of system events and remotely respond to complex problems (via your Smartphone) before they become critical-24/7. Problem solved! -
DR Strategy Guide from Maxava: Brand New Edition - now fully updated to include Cloud!
PRACTICAL TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT DISASTER RECOVERY IN YOUR IBM i ENVIRONMENT
CLOUD VS. ON-PREMISE?
- COMPREHENSIVE CHECKLISTS
- RISK COST CALCULATIONS
- BUSINESS CASE FRAMEWORK
- DR SOLUTIONS OVERVIEW
- RFP BUILDER
Download your free copy of DR Strategy Guide for IBM i from Maxava today. -
White Paper: Node.js for Enterprise IBM i Modernization
If your business is thinking about modernizing your legacy IBM i (also known as AS/400 or iSeries) applications, you will want to read this white paper first!
Download this paper and learn how Node.js can ensure that you:
- Modernize on-time and budget - no more lengthy, costly, disruptive app rewrites!
- Retain your IBM i systems of record
- Find and hire new development talent
- Integrate new Node.js applications with your existing RPG, Java, .Net, and PHP apps
- Extend your IBM i capabilties to include Watson API, Cloud, and Internet of Things
Read Node.js for Enterprise IBM i Modernization Now! -
2020 IBM i Marketplace Survey Results
This year marks the sixth edition of the popular IBM i Marketplace Survey Results. Each year, HelpSystems sets out to gather data about how businesses use the IBM i platform and the IT initiatives it supports. Year over year, the survey has begun to reveal long-term trends that give insight into the future of this trusted technology.
More than 500 IBM i users from around the globe participated in this year’s survey, and we’re so happy to share the results with you. We hope you’ll find the information interesting and useful as you evaluate your own IT projects.
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AIX Security Basics eCourse
With so many organizations depending on AIX day to day, ensuring proper security and configuration is critical to ensure the safety of your environment. Don’t let common threats put your critical AIX servers at risk. Avoid simple mistakes and start to build a long-term plan with this AIX Security eCourse. Enroll today to get easy to follow instructions on topics like:
- Removing extraneous files
- Patching systems efficiently
- Setting and validating permissions
- Managing service considerations
- Getting overall visibility into your networks
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Developer Kit: Making a Business Case for Modernization and Beyond
Having trouble getting management approval for modernization projects? The problem may be you're not speaking enough "business" to them.
This Developer Kit provides you study-backed data and a ready-to-use business case template to help get your very next development project approved!
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What to Do When Your AS/400 Talent Retires
IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators is small.This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn:
- Why IBM i skills depletion is a top concern
- How leading organizations are coping
- Where automation will make the biggest impact
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IBM i Resources Retiring?
Let’s face it: IBM i experts and RPG programmers are retiring from the workforce. Are you prepared to handle their departure?
Our panel of IBM i experts—Chuck Losinski, Robin Tatam, Richard Schoen, and Tom Huntington—will outline strategies that allow your company to cope with IBM i skills depletion by adopting these strategies that allow you to get the job done without deep expertise on the OS:
- Automate IBM i processes
- Use managed services to help fill the gaps
- Secure the system against data loss and viruses
The strategies you discover in this webinar will help you ensure that your system of record—your IBM i—continues to deliver a powerful business advantage, even as staff retires. -
Backup and Recovery Considerations for Security Data and Encrypted Backups
Security expert Carol Woodbury is joined by Debbie Saugen. Debbie is an expert on IBM i backup and recovery, disaster recovery, and high availability, helping IBM i shops build and implement effective business continuity plans.
In today’s business climate, business continuity is more important than ever. But 83 percent of organizations are not totally confident in their backup strategy.
During this webinar, Carol and Debbie discuss the importance of a good backup plan, how to ensure you’re backing up your security information, and your options for encrypted back-ups. -
Profound.js: The Agile Approach to Legacy Modernization
In this presentation, Alex Roytman and Liam Allan will unveil a completely new and unique way to modernize your legacy applications. Learn how Agile Modernization:
- Uses the power of Node.js in place of costly system re-writes and migrations
- Enables you to modernize legacy systems in an iterative, low-risk manner
- Makes it easier to hire developers for your modernization efforts
- Integrates with Profound UI (GUI modernization) for a seamless, end-to-end legacy modernization solution -
Data Breaches: Is IBM i Really at Risk?
IBM i is known for its security, but this OS could be more vulnerable than you think.
Although Power Servers often live inside the safety of the perimeter firewall, the risk of suffering a data leak or data corruption remains high.
Watch noted IBM i security expert Robin Tatam as he discusses common ways that this supposedly “secure” operating system may actually be vulnerable and who the culprits might be. -
Easy Mobile Development
Watch this on-demand webinar and learn how to rapidly and easily deploy mobile apps to your organization – even when working with legacy RPG code! IBM Champion Scott Klement will demonstrate how to:
- Develop RPG applications without mobile development experience
- Deploy secure applications for any mobile device
- Build one application for all platforms, including Apple and Android
- Extend the life and reach of your IBM i (aka iSeries, AS400) platform
You’ll see examples from customers who have used our products and services to deliver the mobile applications of their dreams, faster and easier than they ever thought possible! -
Profound UI: Unlock True Modernization from your IBM i Enterprise
Modern, web-based applications can make your Enterprise more efficient, connected and engaged. This session will demonstrate how the Profound UI framework is the best and most native way to convert your existing RPG applications and develop new modern applications for your business. Additionally, you will learn how you can address modernization across your Enterprise, including databases and legacy source code, with Profound Logic. -
Node Webinar Series Pt. 1: The World of Node.js on IBM i
Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.Part 1 will teach you what Node.js is, why it's a great option for IBM i shops, and how to take advantage of the ecosystem surrounding Node.
In addition to background information, our Director of Product Development Scott Klement will demonstrate applications that take advantage of the Node Package Manager (npm).
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5 New and Unique Ways to Use the IBM i Audit Journal
You must be asking yourself: am I doing everything I can to protect my organization’s data? Tune in as our panel of IBM i high availability experts discuss:
- Why companies don’t test role swaps when they know they should
- Whether high availability in the cloud makes sense for IBM i users
- Why some organizations don’t have high availability yet
- How to get high availability up and running at your organization
- High availability considerations for today’s security concerns -
Profound.js 2.0: Extend the Power of Node to your IBM i Applications
In this Webinar, we'll demonstrate how Profound.js 2.0 enables you to easily adopt Node.js in your business, and to take advantage of the many benefits of Node, including access to a much larger pool of developers for IBM i and access to countless reusable open source code packages on npm (Node Package Manager).
You will see how Profound.js 2.0 allows you to:- Provide RPG-like capabilities for server-side JavaScript.
- Easily create web and mobile application interfaces for Node on IBM i.
- Let existing RPG programs call Node.js modules directly, and vice versa.
- Automatically generate code for Node.js.
- Automatically converts existing RPGLE code into clean, simplified Node.js code.
Download and watch today!
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Make Modern Apps You'll Love with Profound UI & Profound.js
Whether you have green screens or a drab GUI, your outdated apps can benefit from modern source code, modern GUIs, and modern tools.
Profound Logic's Alex Roytman and Liam Allan are here to show you how Free-format RPG and Node.js make it possible to deliver applications your whole business will love:- Transform legacy RPG code to modern free-format RPG and Node.js
- Deliver truly modern application interfaces with Profound UI
- Extend your RPG applications to include Web Services and NPM packages with Node.js
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Accelerating Programmer Productivity with Sequel
Most business intelligence tools are just that: tools, a means to an end but not an accelerator. Yours could even be slowing you down. But what if your BI tool didn't just give you a platform for query-writing but also improved programmer productivity?
Watch the recorded webinar to see how Sequel:- Makes creating complex results simple
- Eliminates barriers to data sources
- Increases flexibility with data usage and distribution
Accelerated productivity makes everyone happy, from programmer to business user.
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Business Intelligence is Changing: Make Your Game Plan
It’s time to develop a strategy that will help you meet your informational challenges head-on. Watch the webinar to learn how to set your IT department up for business intelligence success. You’ll learn how the right data access tool will help you:- Access IBM i data faster
- Deliver useful information to executives and business users
- Empower users with secure data access
Ready to make your game plan and finally keep up with your data access requests?
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Controlling Insider Threats on IBM i
Let’s face facts: servers don’t hack other servers. Despite the avalanche of regulations, news headlines remain chock full of stories about data breaches, all initiated by insiders or intruders masquerading as insiders.
User profiles are often duplicated or restored and are rarely reviewed for the appropriateness of their current configuration. This increases the risk of the profile being able to access data without the intended authority or having privileges that should be reserved for administrators.
Watch security expert Robin Tatam as he discusses a new approach for onboarding new users on IBM i and best-practices techniques for managing and monitoring activities after they sign on. -
Don't Just Settle for Query/400...
While introducing Sequel Data Access, we’ll address common frustrations with Query/400, discuss major data access, distribution trends, and more advanced query tools. Plus, you’ll learn how a tool like Sequel lightens IT’s load by:- Accessing real-time data, so you can make real-time decisions
- Providing run-time prompts, so users can help themselves
- Delivering instant results in Microsoft Excel and PDF, without the wait
- Automating the query process with on-demand data, dashboards, and scheduled jobs -
How to Manage Documents the Easy Way
What happens when your company depends on an outdated document management strategy?
Everything is harder.
You don’t need to stick with status quo anymore.
Watch the webinar to learn how to put effective document management into practice and:- Capture documents faster, instead of wasting everyone’s time
- Manage documents easily, so you can always find them
- Distribute documents automatically, and move on to the next task
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Lessons Learned from the AS/400 Breach
Get actionable info to avoid becoming the next cyberattack victim.
In “Data breach digest—Scenarios from the field,” Verizon documented an AS/400 security breach. Whether you call it AS/400, iSeries, or IBM i, you now have proof that the system has been breached.
Watch IBM i security expert Robin Tatam give an insightful discussion of the issues surrounding this specific scenario.
Robin will also draw on his extensive cybersecurity experience to discuss policies, processes, and configuration details that you can implement to help reduce the risk of your system being the next victim of an attack. -
Overwhelmed by Operating Systems?
In this 30-minute recorded webinar, our experts demonstrate how you can:- Manage multiple platforms from a central location
- View monitoring results in a single pane of glass on your desktop or mobile device
- Take advantage of best practice, plug-and-play monitoring templates
- Create rules to automate daily checks across your entire infrastructure
- Receive notification if something is wrong or about to go wrong
This presentation includes a live demo of Network Server Suite.
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Real-Time Disk Monitoring with Robot Monitor
You need to know when IBM i disk space starts to disappear and where it has gone before system performance and productivity start to suffer. Our experts will show you how Robot Monitor can help you pinpoint exactly when your auxiliary storage starts to disappear and why, so you can start taking a proactive approach to disk monitoring and analysis. You’ll also get insight into:- The main sources of disk consumption
- How to monitor temporary storage and QTEMP objects in real time
- How to monitor objects and libraries in real time and near-real time
- How to track long-term disk trends
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Stop Re-keying Data Between IBM I and Other Applications
Many business still depend on RPG for their daily business processes and report generation.Wouldn’t it be nice if you could stop re-keying data between IBM i and other applications? Or if you could stop replicating data and start processing orders faster? Or what if you could automatically extract data from existing reports instead of re-keying? It’s all possible. Watch this webinar to learn about:- The data dilemma
- 3 ways to stop re-keying data
- Data automation in practice
Plus, see how HelpSystems data automation software will help you stop re-keying data.
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The Top Five RPG Open Access Myths....BUSTED!
When it comes to IBM Rational Open Access: RPG Edition, there are still many misconceptions - especially where application modernization is concerned!In this Webinar, we'll address some of the biggest myths about RPG Open Access, including:
- Modernizing with RPG OA requires significant changes to the source code
- The RPG language is outdated and impractical for modernizing applications
- Modernizing with RPG OA is the equivalent to "screen scraping"
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Time to Remove the Paper from Your Desk and Become More Efficient
Too much paper is wasted. Attempts to locate documents in endless filing cabinets.And distributing documents is expensive and takes up far too much time.
These are just three common reasons why it might be time for your company to implement a paperless document management system.
Watch the webinar to learn more and discover how easy it can be to:- Capture
- Manage
- And distribute documents digitally
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IBM i: It’s Not Just AS/400
IBM’s Steve Will talks AS/400, POWER9, cognitive systems, and everything in between
Are there still companies that use AS400? Of course!
IBM i was built on the same foundation.
Watch this recorded webinar with IBM i Chief Architect Steve Will and IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington to gain a unique perspective on the direction of this platform, including:- IBM i development strategies in progress at IBM
- Ways that Watson will shake hands with IBM i
- Key takeaways from the AS/400 days
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Ask the RDi Experts
Watch this recording where Jim Buck, Susan Gantner, and Charlie Guarino answered your questions, including:- What are the “hidden gems” in RDi that can make me more productive?
- What makes RDi Debug better than the STRDBG green screen debugger?
- How can RDi help me find out if I’ve tested all lines of a program?
- What’s the best way to transition from PDM to RDi?
- How do I convince my long-term developers to use RDi?
This is a unique, online opportunity to hear how you can get more out of RDi.
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Node.js on IBM i Webinar Series Pt. 2: Setting Up Your Development Tools
Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. In Part 2, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Attend this webinar to learn:- Different tools to develop Node.js applications on IBM i
- Debugging Node.js
- The basics of Git and tools to help those new to it
- Using NodeRun.com as a pre-built development environment
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Inside the Integrated File System (IFS)
During this webinar, you’ll learn basic tips, helpful tools, and integrated file system commands—including WRKLNK—for managing your IFS directories and Access Client Solutions (ACS). We’ll answer your most pressing IFS questions, including:- What is stored inside my IFS directories?
- How do I monitor the IFS?
- How do I replicate the IFS or back it up?
- How do I secure the IFS?
Understanding what the integrated file system is and how to work with it must be a critical part of your systems management plans for IBM i.
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Expert Tips for IBM i Security: Beyond the Basics
In this session, IBM i security expert Robin Tatam provides a quick recap of IBM i security basics and guides you through some advanced cybersecurity techniques that can help you take data protection to the next level. Robin will cover:- Reducing the risk posed by special authorities
- Establishing object-level security
- Overseeing user actions and data access
Don't miss this chance to take your knowledge of IBM i security beyond the basics.
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5 IBM i Security Quick Wins
In today’s threat landscape, upper management is laser-focused on cybersecurity. You need to make progress in securing your systems—and make it fast.
There’s no shortage of actions you could take, but what tactics will actually deliver the results you need? And how can you find a security strategy that fits your budget and time constraints?
Join top IBM i security expert Robin Tatam as he outlines the five fastest and most impactful changes you can make to strengthen IBM i security this year.
Your system didn’t become unsecure overnight and you won’t be able to turn it around overnight either. But quick wins are possible with IBM i security, and Robin Tatam will show you how to achieve them. -
How to Meet the Newest Encryption Requirements on IBM i
A growing number of compliance mandates require sensitive data to be encrypted. But what kind of encryption solution will satisfy an auditor and how can you implement encryption on IBM i? Watch this on-demand webinar to find out how to meet today’s most common encryption requirements on IBM i. You’ll also learn:- Why disk encryption isn’t enough
- What sets strong encryption apart from other solutions
- Important considerations before implementing encryption
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Security Bulletin: Malware Infection Discovered on IBM i Server!
Malicious programs can bring entire businesses to their knees—and IBM i shops are not immune. It’s critical to grasp the true impact malware can have on IBM i and the network that connects to it. Attend this webinar to gain a thorough understanding of the relationships between:- Viruses, native objects, and the integrated file system (IFS)
- Power Systems and Windows-based viruses and malware
- PC-based anti-virus scanning versus native IBM i scanning
There are a number of ways you can minimize your exposure to viruses. IBM i security expert Sandi Moore explains the facts, including how to ensure you're fully protected and compliant with regulations such as PCI.
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Fight Cyber Threats with IBM i Encryption
Cyber attacks often target mission-critical servers, and those attack strategies are constantly changing. To stay on top of these threats, your cybersecurity strategies must evolve, too. In this session, IBM i security expert Robin Tatam provides a quick recap of IBM i security basics and guides you through some advanced cybersecurity techniques that can help you take data protection to the next level. Robin will cover:- Reducing the risk posed by special authorities
- Establishing object-level security
- Overseeing user actions and data access
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10 Practical IBM i Security Tips for Surviving Covid-19 and Working From Home
Now that many organizations have moved to a work from home model, security concerns have risen.During this session Carol Woodbury will discuss the issues that the world is currently seeing such as increased malware attacks and then provide practical actions you can take to both monitor and protect your IBM i during this challenging time.
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How to Transfer IBM i Data to Microsoft Excel
3 easy ways to get IBM i data into Excel every time
There’s an easy, more reliable way to import your IBM i data to Excel? It’s called Sequel. During this webinar, our data access experts demonstrate how you can simplify the process of getting data from multiple sources—including Db2 for i—into Excel. Watch to learn how to:- Download your IBM i data to Excel in a single step
- Deliver data to business users in Excel via email or a scheduled job
- Access IBM i data directly using the Excel add-in in Sequel
Make 2020 the year you finally see your data clearly, quickly, and securely. Start by giving business users the ability to access crucial business data from IBM i the way they want it—in Microsoft Excel.
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HA Alternatives: MIMIX Is Not Your Only Option on IBM i
In this recorded webinar, our experts introduce you to the new HA transition technology available with our Robot HA software. You’ll learn how to:- Transition your rules from MIMIX (if you’re happy with them)
- Simplify your day-to-day activities around high availability
- Gain back time in your work week
- Make your CEO happy about reducing IT costs
Don’t stick with a legacy high availability solution that makes you uncomfortable when transitioning to something better can be simple, safe, and cost-effective.
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Request your trial now!
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Backup and Recovery on IBM i: Your Strategy for the Unexpected
Robot automates the routine tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:
- Simplified backup procedures
- Easy data encryption
- Save media management
- Guided restoration
- Seamless product integration
Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Try the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution FREE for 30 days. -
Manage IBM i Messages by Exception with Robot
Managing messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events?
Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:
- Automated message management
- Tailored notifications and automatic escalation
- System-wide control of your IBM i partitions
- Two-way system notifications from your mobile device
- Seamless product integration
Try the Robot Message Management Solution FREE for 30 days. -
Easiest Way to Save Money? Stop Printing IBM i Reports
Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing.
Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:
- Automated report distribution
- View online without delay
- Browser interface to make notes
- Custom retention capabilities
- Seamless product integration
Rerun another report? Never again. Try the Robot Report Management Solution FREE for 30 days. -
Hassle-Free IBM i Operations around the Clock
For over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i.
Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:
- Automated batch, interactive, and cross-platform scheduling
- Event-driven dependency processing
- Centralized monitoring and reporting
- Audit log and ready-to-use reports
- Seamless product integration
Scale your software, not your staff. Try the Robot Job Scheduling Solution FREE for 30 days. -
ACO MONITOR Manages your IBM i 24/7 and Notifies You When Your IBM i Needs Assistance!
More than a paging system - ACO MONITOR is a complete systems management solution for your Power Systems running IBM i. ACO MONITOR manages your Power System 24/7, uses advanced technology (like two-way messaging) to notify on-duty support personnel, and responds to complex problems before they reach critical status.ACO MONITOR is proven technology and is capable of processing thousands of mission-critical events daily. The software is pre-configured, easy to install, scalable, and greatly improves data center efficiency.
Book Reviews
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Book Review: The Modern RPG IV Language, Fourth Edition
This book isn't a training manual; it's a reference book.
The Modern RPG IV Language, Fourth Edition by Robert Cozzi, Jr. is the latest version of a book that has enjoyed a long history of popularity in the RPG community. With this book, MC Press continues its tradition of providing relevant and timely materials in a quality book format.
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Book Review: DB2 9 Fundamentals
Whether you want to obtain an IBM certified DB2 professional certification or simply become well-rounded in the fundamental concepts of DB2 and general database theory, this is your book.
Roger E. Sanders has created one of today's greatest technical certification books, DB2 9 Fundamentals, to prepare you for everything you need to know to become DB2 9 certified per IBM's standards.
Sanders kicks things off with a chapter dedicated to identifying the various types of DB2 professional certifications that are available and the professional roles at which each is aimed. He also walks you through the complete process of obtaining your certification, first taking you through the steps to register for the exam and then providing examples of what to expect on the exam in terms of its format. If you were at all wondering what to expect, then wonder no more: It's all clearly spelled out in his opening dialog! -
Book Review: SOA for the Business Developer
If you want to know how SOA works in the real world, this is your book.
By Phil LawThere's a lot of hype and fanfare surrounding service-oriented architecture (SOA), but the authors of SOA for the Business Developer have obviously gotten their hands dirty participating in real-world SOA projects. The content of their book reflects that experience.
They begin by pointing out the simple truth that "SOA includes ideas that have been around for decades." Comparing and contrasting new concepts with old, familiar software design principles quickly brings the reader up to speed with the overarching principles of SOA.
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Book Review: JavaScript for the Business Developer
There's no faster, easier way to become proficient in JavaScript.
By Jan Jorgensen This book landed on my desk just before my holiday in Greece. I looked at it and thought, "How can anybody cover such a large subject in just 160 pages? That's not possible." But it is possible, and that's the strongest force about this book: It's short, it's down to business, it's concise, and most important, it's full of great and useful examples and sample code that you can download.
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Book Review: The IBM i Programmer's Guide to PHP
Both a primer and a reference, this book is a must-have for anyone who wants to program in PHP.
By Mike Pavlak
After developing Web solutions for the iSeries in Net.Data and then getting a sour taste from Java, I wanted something better. PHP was certainly the right choice, but making it run on an iSeries at the time was no small feat. Then Zend came to the table, and the rest, as they say, is history. There is no way any of us on the ground floor of this amazing union could have anticipated this level of excitement and interest. We continue to see huge numbers being drawn to PHP on IBM i as well as Linux, UNIX, and Windows. And this book comes at just the right time; it's both a primer and a reference.
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Book Review: You Want to Do WHAT with PHP?
If you're serious about programming in PHP, get a book that treats you that way.
Written by Cal EvansI hate getting books for review that are written by friends of mine. I have a strict policy that I won't review a book I don't like. This leads to awkward conversations if, after skimming the book, I decide not to review it. Thankfully, that isn't the case with this book. Today, I want to talk about You Want to Do WHAT with PHP?, written by my friend and former co-worker, Kevin Schroeder. (I used to work at Zend; Kevin still does.)
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Book Review: Selling Information Governance to the Business
Who governs the information that runs your company?
Written by Thomas M. StockwellWe've all witnessed the explosion of information within our organizations. Recent studies have estimated that nearly 15 petabytes—15 million gigabytes—of data are created every day. This data represents the backbone of how our industries interact, how they manage their businesses, how they perceive themselves, and how they position themselves to compete. It doesn't reside on any individual computing platform, application, or corporate silo, but it has an incalculable value that represents the lifeblood of our commerce.
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Book Review: DB2 9.7 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration (Exam 541)
This book, written by the creator of the certification exam, reveals exactly what you'll need to know to prep for the test.
Written by Kent MilliganA couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of working with Roger Sanders on the creation of a couple of DB2 certification exams. During the exam creation process, I was impressed by the deep knowledge and thoroughness that Roger brought to the process. As I made my way through this certification book, I found the same qualities coming through the pages time and time again as Roger reviews the various aspects of database administration for the DB2 9.7 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows (LUW) product.
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Book Review: IBM i Security: Administration and Compliance
If you have any interest in IBM i security, whether as an administrator, a programmer, or an auditor, then this book is the perfect resource.
Written by Robin TatamIn this era of legislative and regulatory mandates, computer security has quickly become one of the most popular—and critical—initiatives for organizations of every size and in every business sector. Even those that are not forced to comply with an official directive should consider enhancing their security to ensure protection of their business data assets.
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Book Review: Big Data Analytics: Disruptive Technologies for Changing the Game
The disciplines of data analytics are evolving to meet the new challenges of big data.
Written by Thomas M. StockwellMost traditional approaches to data analytics aim to align the operational activities of the organization with the specific business strategies of C-level executives. The process accomplishes this by identifying key measurements of business performance, developing the internal (or external) metrics and governance principles, and then implementing a data analytics framework to deliver the information accurately. This enables management to monitor the key performance metrics and instruct managers where improvements are required.
