May 20, 2020
May 20, 2020 | Volume 12 Issue 45
- LEAD ARTICLE: How AI Might Change the Future of Medicine
- FEATURED ARTICLE: A Simple Case for COBOL
- FEATURED WEBINAR: How to Protect IBM i from the New Malware Threats of 2020
- NEWS HIGHLIGHT: Seiden Group Announces New PHP Migration & Support Services
- WEBCAST: 10 Practical IBM i Security Tips for Surviving Covid-19 and Working From Home
- FEATURED VIDEO: Design an Invoice in 10 Minutes
- EVENT: SiD Summit Lunch & Learn Series: Tuesdays, May 19 - June 18

How AI Might Change the Future of Medicine
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to radically advance medicine and healthcare, reduce sickness, eradicate diseases, and accelerate recovery times. From intelligent prosthetics to cellular manipulation, AI can help humanity live healthier and longer.
By Mark Simmonds
When I look back at historical movies involving medical procedures or the ways wounded soldiers were operated on by medics in field hospitals, I often think “how barbaric” compared to the healthcare we receive today. I then wonder if future generations might look back at us and arrive at similar conclusions.
Seiden Group Announces Free Access to CommunityPlus+ PHP for IBM i

A Simple Case for COBOL
The answer to the COBOL programmer shortage is simple: train more programmers.
By Steve Pitcher
I’ve always liked the band AC/DC. I wouldn’t call myself a fan per se, but there’s nothing that brings me happiness quite like getting into the car for a long drive at night, turning on the stereo, and hearing the opening bell of “Hells Bells,” arguably the best nighttime driving song ever. And if you think I’m idiosyncratic like that, it’s because I am. Best daytime driving song? “It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll).” Bagpipes and all, it just makes me feel good.
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:
- 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.
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How to Protect IBM i from the New Malware Threats of 2020
IBM i has never been immune to malware—but threats to businesses are greater than ever.
By HelpSystems
Editor's note: This article introduces the May 2020 Webinar: How to Protect IBM i from the New Malware Threats of 2020, which is On-Demand and available to download and view from the MC Webcast Center.
Many employees are now working from home. Research from March 2020 shows home networks are 3.5 times more likely than corporate networks to have at least one malicious program!