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IBM's recent emphasis on TV advertising for its Watson platform is seen by some as a sign of declining commitment to the IBM i. Prominent business intelligence vendor New Generation Software thinks this concern is misplaced.

john gristWritten by John Ghrist

Judging by what we see in mass-media advertising these days, IBM's vision of its own future seems to be centered on its Watson platform. Data analytics via the cloud will surely play a big role in many enterprises' futures, but can we rely on the inference some could draw that the IBM i is fading from view everywhere else except in companies already committed to the platform?

Read more ...

There are some voices that say the IBM i might be declining as a platform. Profound Logic CEO Alex Roytman is not one of them.

john gristWritten by John Ghrist

The maturing of the IBM i market has been with us for some years, but the quality of that maturation sparks debate. Does the platform's current state, along with such other factors as IBM's boosting of Watson, mean the IBM i has reached a point in its life cycle where decline is inevitable, or has it simply reached an equilibrium at which it will continue to thrive for the foreseeable future?

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You won't change user perceptions if the UI stinks.

Written by Steve Pitcher

My company is going through a wholesale ERP migration. At this point, we've gone live with accounts payable and general ledger of a new ERP system that runs side by side with the traditional RPG-based green-screen applications. It's a bit of a process of course, moving it piecemeal. Some things can go easily. Some take a bit more work. With that being said, it's amazing how many times I hear the word “iSeries” in the run of a week.

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IBM i is unique in many ways, but the community that supports it really sets it apart.

brian mayWritten by Brian May

My favorite part of having a regular column here at MC Press Online is that I have the opportunity to write about almost anything I like. Politics is a hot topic right now, but I simply will not go there. Instead, I want to focus on my favorite aspect of the IBM i, the people. Maybe it is because it is summertime and the sun is shining outside my office window, or maybe it is because conference season is in full swing. I just get excited when I have the opportunity to interact with other IBM i developers in person.

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IT needs to put their foot down to force enough tension for change.

Written by Steve Pitcher

Elements of the sales and marketing department at XYZ Paper Company need an application that allows them to more effectively manage promotions. Ideally, they want to be able to cross-reference those promotions with sales results to show ROI. It sounds simple enough: Instead of going to their IT department with a request to facilitate the business requirement, the sales and marketing department searches Google and finds the application of their dreams very quickly. Great news! It's provided by a cloud computing vendor who can be the one stop shop for sales, support, and consultation for a low monthly fee.

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While some look on the plateauing of the IBM i market as a sign of imminent decline, others see it as the harbinger of a leaner and meaner environment headed for new greatness.

john gristWritten by John Ghrist

When some fans of the IBM i get to talking about the platform's future as compared to its past, it's almost too easy to be pessimistic. The massive consolidation among software vendors of the recent years, the aging of the baby boomer core of technical experts, and IBM's apparent shift of attention to its Watson platform are just a few of the signposts of fears that the platform is now simply coasting downhill.

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It's time to look at layoffs again. Also, contrary to what some analysts believe, a full-scale transformation of IBM into a company that sells concepts is not the answer.

Written by Steve Pitcher

It's been about two months since I wrote about the new round of IBM layoffs that could potentially see the U.S. workforce reduced by 14,000 out of approximately 70,000 employees. Since IBM of course doesn't publish its employee counts by country, it's hard to say exactly how deep each round of layoffs actually goes. There's a heck of a lot of smoke to be no fire.

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After a sterling run of more than 25 years, the IBM i is showing signs of wear as a platform. Veteran development-tool vendor LANSA shares its insights about where the i may be heading.

john gristWritten by John Ghrist

Some years ago—although it would be hard to get more than a handful of people to agree exactly when—the IBM i market became "mature." The numbers of new companies offering OEM software for the platform stopped growing. The frequency of new product announcements (other than upgrades of existing packages) began to decline. The enthusiasm with which IBM had touted the i for many years became diluted. The influx of hot, young programmers that characterized the platform's rise in the '90s abated.

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

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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.

    Over the years, this survey has become a true industry benchmark, revealing to readers the trends that are shaping and driving the market and providing insight into what the future may bring for this technology.

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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.
    In this white paper, you’ll learn how to think of these issues as opportunities rather than problems. We’ll explore motivations to migrate or modernize, their risks and considerations you should be aware of before embarking on a (migration or modernization) project.
    Lastly, we’ll discuss how modernizing IBM i applications with optimized business workflows, integration with other technologies and new mobile and web user interfaces will enable IT – and the business – to experience time-added value and much more.

     

  • 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.

    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!

  • 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:

    • Why IBM i skills depletion is a top concern
    • How leading organizations are coping
    • Where automation will make the biggest impact

     


  • 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:

    • 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

     

     

  • 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:

    • 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.

     

     

  • 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.
    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.

  • Security Bulletin: Malware Infection Discovered on IBM i Server!

    SB PowerTech WC GenericMalicious 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.

     

     

  • 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.
    Watch this webinar to learn how you can quickly implement encryption on the IBM i. During the webinar, security expert Robin Tatam will show you how to:

    • Use Field Procedures to automate encryption and decryption
    • Restrict and mask field level access by user or group
    • Meet compliance requirements with effective key management and audit trails

     

  • 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.
    In this webinar, you'll get insight into how the criminals accessed these systems, the fallout from these attacks, and how the incidents could have been avoided by following security best practices.

    • Learn which security gaps cyber criminals love most
    • Find out how other IBM i organizations have fallen victim
    • 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

    SB PowerTech WC GenericWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed.
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    • Discover the benefits of Low-code's quick application creation
    • Understand the differences in model-based and language-based Low-Code platforms
    • Explore the strengths of LANSA's Low-Code Solution to Low-Code’s biggest drawbacks

     

     

  • 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.
    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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  • The Biggest Mistakes in IBM i Security

    SB Profound WC Generic The Biggest Mistakes in IBM i Security
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    Join this webinar to learn about the biggest errors made when securing a Power Systems server.
    This knowledge is critical for ensuring integrity of your application data and preventing you from becoming the next Equifax. It’s also essential for complying with all formal regulations, including SOX, PCI, GDPR, and HIPAA
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  • Manage IBM i Messages by Exception with Robot

    SB HelpSystems SC 5413Managing 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?
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  • Easiest Way to Save Money? Stop Printing IBM i Reports

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