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This week, we're talking about some new HTTP Group PTF features. Some are obvious, and some are...well...not so obvious. Plus, IBM withdraws the DAT160 tape drive from marketing in 2014. If you're using it, you need a plan moving forward.

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

Like any good boy who keeps up to date with his PTFs, I was up late on July 9 downloading and applying the latest HTTP Group package (SF99368) and combing through the fix list when I came upon a few surprises.

The first surprise came by way of the PTF labeled SI49568 - Extended Base Directory Support. What's this?

Read more ...

This week, we're talking about big data processing with IBM's DB2 10.5 feature called BLU Acceleration. Also, RDi 9 gets released with Worklight Studio to help you build mobile apps to access IBM i data.

steve pitcherWritten by Steve Pitcher

A couple of months ago, IBM announced a DB2 10.5 offering called BLU Acceleration. With customers looking to analyze, slice, dice, puree, and chop big data from social media all the way down to traditional ERP and CRM data sources, BLU ("Big data, Lightning fast, Ultra-easy") effectively optimizes DB2 for running large in-memory analytical jobs and drives down time to usable results at, according to IBM, the "speed of thought." On June 26, IBM announced via press release a number of vendor and customer testimonials about BLU Acceleration, emphasizing the business results they've seen with the product that's now generally available.

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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.

steve pitcherWritten 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.

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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.

steve pitcherWritten 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.

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

steve pitcherWritten 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.

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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.

steve pitcherWritten 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.

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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.

steve pitcherWritten 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.

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

john gristWritten 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.

Read more ...

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