We talk to lots of IBM i (iSeries, AS400) users everyday about their REAL cost of operating their servers.
And the REALITY is hard to swallow once it is revealed… first let me explain.
Most users know their annual IBM hardware and software costs….but that’s only a fraction of the REAL total costs.
Many do not realize that the cost for electrical power is about $1,200 per year just for the Entry server. It’s even more for the Enterprise server.
It’s more if you require air conditioning.
Also, many users who rely on Quarter-Inch-Cartridge (QIC) backup tapes are unaware that these are out of production with a dwindling supply.
We have seen QIC backup tapes go from $20@ to $90-$100+@ and we have seen cleaning tapes go from $60@ to $250-$300@.
When you budget for annual backup and cleaning tapes – that’s easily $1,500.
When you look at the labor of backup management (test tape, insert and eject tape for backup, storage and handling, clean tape drive, etc.), studies estimate this labor cost at about $3,000 per year.
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE! Here’s the point. In addition to your annual hardware and software support fees, these other costs add up to way more than you may think.
For example:
Entry IBM i server HWMA and SWMA $4,000
Electricity $1,200
QIC tapes and cleaning tape $1,500
Tape backup management $3,000
Total $9,700
That’s 142% MORE than they thought they were paying!
This example is for an entry IBM i server.
If you have an ENTEPRISE server, the ADDED costs skyrocket!
Great News! There is a less expensive option that has tons of advantages over an on-premise server.
IBM i/OS400 application hosting like Cloud400 can be less expensive – and provide better backup management, redundancy and disaster resilience.
To learn more, check out:
https://www.source-data.com/cloud-400/
Let me know I can help!
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