This blog presents the 5 factors most Cloud400 users mention why they host their IBM i (AS400/iSeries) applications in the cloud. Not all of these considerations may apply to your circumstance. As you may think about cloud hosting for your operation, which of the following considerations resonate with you?
1) IBM i Expertise
Cloud400 users want IBM expertise for a variety of reasons. Many clients have experienced their in-house IBM i talent shrink (down-sizing, attrition, retirement, etc.). Others struggle to keep pace with the IBM i advancements. We have other clients that prefer to concentrate their efforts on other projects, line of business applications and technologies.
The Cloud400 Engineers are IBM i experts since 1988. It is our primary focus. We handle the IBM server management so our clients don’t have to. It’s like hiring IBM i experts at no extra cost.
2) Infrastructure as a Service
More frequently our clients share with us that they want to get “out of the on-premise hardware business.” They don’t want to have an on-premise server, do backups, apply PTFs or version upgrades, pay for IBM hardware and software support (HWMA and SWMA), or deal with IBM software or server management issues.
When a Cloud400 user logs onto their workstation, they don’t know (and don’t care) that the server is located in Minneapolis, MN and not down the hallway.
3) Lower Cost
Until folks talk to us, many are unaware that POWER servers’ performance is limited by the number of disk units despite their HUGE processor performance ratings and capacity. This means that even a POWER server with 10,000 CPW and 4 disk units (or about 700 GB of useable storage) may only yield about 800 CPW.
Most Cloud400 users only need a fraction of a server to run their applications. An on-premise server can be like buying a 500,000 square foot building when you only need to rent a 5,000 square foot office.
That’s what Cloud400 is often 30%-70% less expensive than an on-premise server for 7 reasons:
- There is no up-front capital expenditure.
- You only pay for the resources you need instead of buying an oversized server with more performance and resources than you can use.
- There are no core activation or user count fees.
- There are no IBM hardware or software support fees (HWMA and SWMA).
- There are no extra fees for daily backup, mounting and unmounting tapes, offsite tape storage or media.
- There are no extra fees for a UPS, power and air-conditioning.
- There are no extra fees for the Cloud400 SSAE-16 secure, reliable data center.
Cloud400 users often cite this for moving off an older server with expensive maintenance or selecting hosting instead of buying a new on-premise server.
4) Greater Security And Reliability
Clients located in areas vulnerable to natural disasters (storms, flooding, earthquakes, etc.) favor Cloud400 to host their business critical applications in an SSAE-16 secure, reliable data center supported by IBM i experts.
They determine that Cloud400 offers a much higher level of security and reliability at a fraction of the cost than they could possibly buy on their own.
5) IBM End Of Service Support – No More HWMA After January 2019
In 2016, iSeries users (i.e. 9406-520, 9407-515, 9406-800, 9406-810, 9406-270, etc.) were notified by IBM of End of Service Support. IBM will no longer provide hardware maintenance (HWMA) for these older POWER servers effective January 31, 2019.
Because of various uncertainties, many of these iSeries users have selected to host with Cloud400’s flexible terms until they have more clear direction.
Cloud400 offers these iSeries users IBM i resources at a lower cost and far greater flexibility than a new server.
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