February 20, 2019
February 20, 2019 | Volume 12 Issue 30
- LEAD ARTICLE: IBM i Security Fallacies Exposed
- FEATURED ARTICLE: The AI Revolution: Preparing Yourself
- FEATURED ARTICLE: The Changing Role of IT in the Cloud
- NEWS HIGHLIGHT: IBM Watson Now Available Anywhere
- WEBCAST: 5 IBM i Security Quick Wins
- FEATURED VIDEO: Design an Invoice in 10 Minutes
- EVENT: First Annual OCEAN Hackathon

IBM i Security Fallacies Exposed
Security changes often, but old excuses don’t.
By Steve Pitcher
I had a great conversation with one of our salespeople a few weeks ago about the challenges of selling the value of IBM i security services.
Me: “Do you have ADT home security at your house?”
Salesperson: “No.”
Me: “Why not?”
Salesperson: “I’ve never had someone break into my house.”
Me: “That’s why it’s a challenge to sell computer security solutions.”

The AI Revolution: Preparing Yourself
The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is coming. What can you do to prepare yourself? No, just trying to revive The Robot is not enough. Let’s see what might work.
By David Shirey
The question is simple, and everyone is asking it (of themselves if no one else): “How can I prepare for the coming AI revolution?”
We know that both advanced robotic automation and advanced analytics are going to be the bread and butter of most successful companies over the next 10 to 20 years. For many of us, that time frame will fall within our working lives. It only makes sense that we start preparing for it now because the AI revolution is not just something that’s going to happen to us; it’s something that we will be participating in and helping move forward.
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 with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small.
This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business?
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
Enjoy!
Download your copy today!
2019 State of IBM i Modernization
The annual Profound Logic ‘State of IBM i Modernization Survey” takes a look at the trends and attitudes that shape the IBM i modernization market. We reached out to the IBM i community, and the response was outstanding: close to 800 people, nearly 300 more than last year, took the survey. This enthusiasm resulted in very interesting findings for how businesses plan to use and modernize the platform in the coming year.
As you read through each section of the survey, you will see our summary of the results and suggestions for the future. We hope the survey will help your business better understand what is possible for your IBM i platform in the coming year.
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).
watch now!
What Most IBM i Shops Get Wrong About the IFS
Can you trust all of your users all of the time?
A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six month later.
A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:
- How phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated
- Three little-known ways malicious programs can reach your IFS
- Why the IFS is IBM i’s “Typhoid Mary”
You’ll also learn why some of the most common malware solutions still leave IBM i systems vulnerable—and what you can do to protect your organization.
Easiest Way to Save Money? Stop Printing IBM i Reports
The thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. 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:
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- View online without delay
- Browser interface to make notes
- Custom retention capabilities
- Seamless product integration
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The Changing Role of IT in the Cloud
The cloud is forcing business IT operations and staff roles to evolve. Learn more about the changes and new opportunities the cloud is bringing to IT
by Ashok K. Iyengar
Editor’s Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 7 of IBM Cloud Platform Primer, by Ashok K. Iyengar.
The biggest changes that cloud computing brings to an enterprise are changes in mindset and operational transformation. While some of these changes are abstract, there are very concrete things that IT organizations can and should do to take full advantage of the cloud environment. From redefining roles to taking on new responsibilities, this chapter discusses the various operational and organizational transformations afoot in large IT organizations.