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On the cusp of the expected IBM i 7.2 announcement, IBM announces IBM i 7.1 Technology Refresh 8, which contains updates for hardware, DB2, the Integrated Application Server, and specifically IBM i HTTP Administration.

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

While it's the last bullet point of the entire TR8 announcement, don't think that the Integrated Application Server on IBM i 7.1 now being based on the WebSphere Application Server 8.5 Liberty Profile is a less-important announcement than the others. Liberty is an ultra-lightweight and dynamic application server environment that allows applications to run with bare minimum support from the underlying Java architecture. In layman's terms, when a Liberty application runs, it loads only what it needs to do the job at hand and then loads anything else it needs on-demand.

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Systems evolution needs to be a constant effort. The new Redbook entitled Modernize IBM i Applications from the Database up to the User Interface and Everything in Between is a must-read for every IBM i developer.

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

125,000 years ago, scientists believe that a group of brown bears (ursus arctos) were isolated from their ancestors and began to evolve into a separate subspecies: what we know as the modern polar bear. Over many generations, the descendants of these bears evolved and inherited the trait of a white, thicker coatideal protection and camouflage in the snow and ice, making the bear more successful to hunt and kill prey. The molar teeth and digestive system of the polar bear also changed over time, adapting to the demands of a new diet of seal meat rather than plants and berries. Their stomachs changed to accommodate larger and unexpected amounts of food, taking advantage of a big kill and allowing them to survive on it for weeks at a time during months when food wasn't plentiful. Their necks grew much longer than the modern brown bear, making it easier to keep their heads above water when swimming and when reaching into the sea from the ice to catch food from above. The forepaws grew larger in order to operate like paddles in the water.

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System x is being sold to Lenovo for $2.3 billion. With all due respect to System x, it's about time they pulled the plug. No tears, please. This is a celebration!

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

IBM System x is going away, and I'm not sad to see it go. Cue the Wayne's World dream sequence effect....


 

I remember working for an IBM Business Partner many years ago. We sold a good few iSeries and pSeries in our little corner of the market. We sold storage a little less frequently and only when we got wind of a deal. That was our focus: iSeries, pSeries, and storage. xSeries was a different story. Unless some xSeries was a very minor part of a bigger deal that was 100% going to happen, we weren't to even think about selling it, let alone give a customer any form of discount.

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Today, I'll talk about the new 7.1 Cumulative PTF and how it relates to TR7, new SSD drives, and the PureFlex solution that may answer the consolidation needs of the "small" in SMB. Baby PureFlex? I think so.

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

As far as recent IBM i-related announcements go, the software side of the coin has been talked about with regards to IBM i 7.1 Technical Refresh 7 (TR7) in great detail. The only thing I'm going to mention regarding software updates this week will be the Cumulative PTF for IBM i 6.1 and 7.1 coming on November 21 and 22, respectively, and how the 7.1 CUME relates to TR7.

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Although BlackBerry has come back to life more times than Friday the 13th has released sequels, with the potential of company breakup and bankruptcy, plus a quickly diminishing market share, we need to look at the options.

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

In the last few weeks, we've seen much in the news about BlackBerry. First, they announced they lost just under $1 billion in the 2nd quarter, mostly due to the write down of the Z10 smartphone inventory they just couldn't get off the shelves.

Next, the company announced a layoff of 4,500 jobs from its 12,500 global workforce as part of a restructuring effort, along with cutting the number of phones it sells from six to four handsets. Those phones will be, and I know we've heard this before, targeted at the enterprise customer.

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With IBM i 7.1 TR7, the big news is that RPG is finally free from any remaining shackles of fixed-format code. Plus, IBM commits $1 billion to Linux on Power Systems.

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

Today IBM announces IBM i 7.1 Technology Refresh 7. Here are the details:

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This week, we're talking about a new IBM i PTF to help you get all your Group PTF processing done in one step. Plus, COMMON is reaching out into social media with COMMON Chats.

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

OK, I totally found a neat way to tell how well you keep up to date with IBM i PTF processing. Want to know? Here's the secret: I ordered brand new PTF SF99711.

 

What's SF99711? Well, it's comprised of these:

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This week, we're talking Tux. IBM announces the 7R4 Linux-only Power iron and inks a deal with EnterpriseDB for its PostgreSQL database as a low-cost Oracle alternative.

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

IBM announced on July 30, 2013, its next offering in the Linux-only Power Systems models, the IBM PowerLinux 7R4.

As per the press release:

The IBM PowerLinux 7R4 (8248-L4T) server is a powerful 2-socket or 4-socket server that ships with 16 or 32 fully activated cores and I/O configuration flexibility to meet today's growth and tomorrow's processing needs. The server features:

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  • White Paper: Node.js for Enterprise IBM i Modernization

    SB Profound WP 5539

    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!

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  • Profound Logic Solution Guide

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  • 2022 IBM i Marketplace Survey Results

    Fortra2022 marks the eighth edition of the IBM i Marketplace Survey Results. Each year, Fortra captures data on how businesses use the IBM i platform and the IT and cybersecurity initiatives it supports.

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  • Why Migrate When You Can Modernize?

    LANSABusiness users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.
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  • UPDATED: Developer Kit: Making a Business Case for Modernization and Beyond

    Profound Logic Software, Inc.Having trouble getting management approval for modernization projects? The problem may be you're not speaking enough "business" to them.

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  • What to Do When Your AS/400 Talent Retires

    FortraIT 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:

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  • Node.js on IBM i Webinar Series Pt. 2: Setting Up Your Development Tools

    Profound Logic Software, Inc.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:

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  • Expert Tips for IBM i Security: Beyond the Basics

    SB PowerTech WC GenericIn 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:

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  • 5 IBM i Security Quick Wins

    SB PowerTech WC GenericIn today’s threat landscape, upper management is laser-focused on cybersecurity. You need to make progress in securing your systems—and make it fast.
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  • Security Bulletin: Malware Infection Discovered on IBM i Server!

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  • Encryption on IBM i Simplified

    SB PowerTech WC GenericDB2 Field Procedures (FieldProcs) were introduced in IBM i 7.1 and have greatly simplified encryption, often without requiring any application changes. Now you can quickly encrypt sensitive data on the IBM i including PII, PCI, PHI data in your physical files and tables.
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  • Lessons Learned from IBM i Cyber Attacks

    SB PowerTech WC GenericDespite the many options IBM has provided to protect your systems and data, many organizations still struggle to apply appropriate security controls.
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    • Get the details on policies and processes you can implement to protect your organization, even when staff works from home

    You will learn the steps you can take to avoid the mistakes made in these examples, as well as other inadequate and misconfigured settings that put businesses at risk.

     

     

  • The Power of Coding in a Low-Code Solution

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  • Node Webinar Series Pt. 1: The World of Node.js on IBM i

    SB Profound WC GenericHave 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.
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  • The Biggest Mistakes in IBM i Security

    SB Profound WC Generic The Biggest Mistakes in IBM i Security
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