The purpose of this blog is to highlight 5 Big IBM i Hosting Trends I expect will continue into 2020 and beyond.
Disclaimer: iSeries and AS400 are servers. IBM i is an operating system. I use these terms interchangeably to make it easy for folks to find this kind of information on the web.
Prediction is very difficult, especially if it is about the future.
For that reason, I will not predict anything about IBM i hosting for 2020.
Instead, I will write briefly about 5 Big Trends I have observed in the last few years.
As I see it, trends are more like currents. They can continue for years…until they are over.
With that said, why do users chose to host their IBM i (iSeries. AS400) systems instead of an on premise server?
1) Outsource IBM i Expertise
As the IBM i talent pool continues to shrink, IBM i users find it more difficult to find reliable skilled IBM i experts — even in major metropolitan areas.
The needed skills at a minimum include IBM i OS, IBM i administration, backup and retention, version upgrades, programming and IBM i problem solving.
The reasons for this needed skill are many. They include retiring in-house talent, focus to implement new technologies (ERP, e-commerce, CRM, analytics, etc.), and assimilation of other business units running different business systems.
IBM i hosting offers these users the compute resources they need to run their business supported by IBM i experts that are easily accessible for help as needed.
2) Secure Data Center
Data centers are popular because they offer greater security, redundancy, continuity and disaster resilience than most businesses can afford to spend for an in-house data center.
Most IBM i users have limited redundancy and security. Often they do not have a disaster recovery plan with exposure to natural disasters.
Many IBM i users host their on premise server at a data center for the reasons I mentioned above.
So, when IBM i users consider hosting which includes modern IBM POWER servers hosted at an SSAE-18 certified data center, they get excited. Now they have a greater sense of safety, continuity and disaster resilience that they do not have now. If they are already at a data center, they can take that expense off the table when they move to IBM i hosting.
3) Lower Total Cost Of Ownership
When speaking to prospective clients I explain that if they only compare the cost of a new on premise server to the cost of hosting over 5 years, it will be less expensive to acquire the server.
Even so, the server expense is NOT the only cost IBM i users incur.
I explain to these prospective clients that if they include the cost of:
· IBM i support (hardware and software support, server administration, backups and retentions, software patches, version upgrades, problem solving assistance),
· Secure redundant data center and administration (UPS, redundant power, redundant cooling and fire suppression, firewalls, internet security, etc.),
· Disaster resilience and recovery,
· Electrical power and air conditioning, and
· More,
…hosting is generally less expensive … and by a lot.
That is not always the case. Some IBM i users do not place a value on IBM i administrative support because their job could be at risk. Others are aware that their local internet is not reliable enough to remotely host their applications. OK. So, hosting is not for everyone.
4) Flexibility
IBM i hosting offers flexible terms. Most often you only pay for what you need and only as long as you need it.
This is particularly attractive to business that intend to sunset their IBM i applications in favor of new applications. More specifically, they may be running older IBM i servers without IBM support and need more time to move to the new applications but do not want to buy a new server or augment their IBM i talent.
5) Reduce Distractions
With IBM i hosting, users do not have to deal with distractions like:
· Hardware error messages and related on site repairs,
· How to respond to unexpected IBM End of Service (EOS) announcements,
· IBM support renewal (HWMA and SWMA),
· Backup media,
· Offsite backup management,
· UPS and battery management and replacement,
· And more.
… so they can focus their energies on other issues.
Want To Know More About IBM i Hosting?
If you want to learn more about IBM i hosting contact me at blosey@source-data.com or call me at 714-593-0387.
We can help…even if is just quick estimate to determine if IBM cloud hosting make financial sense for you.
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