This blog explains the importance of keeping your IBM i OS current with PTFs and Technology refreshes. My purpose is to provide a clear understanding of the important of PTFs. I am concerned about a common inattention among our iSeries clients that neglect IBM PTFs to keep their IBM i OS (OS400/i5/OS) current. I understand the common justification – “the system is working fine, and it will all get taken care of on the next version release. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. So, why not … [Read more...]
6 Elegant IBM i Features That Keep It Advanced
I wrote this blog to stress key IBM i features in response to those critics who say the IBM I is “old.” The IBM i is NOT “old” – it continues to be advanced. Last week one of my clients shared with me that her network team leader thinks the IBM i is archaic. This network administrator also tells his management that their IBM i server is “old” and they should replace it with modern technology (hint: Microsoft Windows). Never mind that their business runs on an ERP application that has been in … [Read more...]
8 Factors To Check When Assessing IBM i Cloud Hosting Providers
Earlier this week a prospective client was telling me that he had compared several cloud providers. He liked 2 of the providers based on their annual sales. The largest had annual sales of $250 million. The second largest had annual sales of $100 million. To my way of thinking, annual sales is necessarily a good way to assess a hosting provider. In fact, it can be a misleading way to evaluate cloud hosting. Then again, I know a lot more about hosting providers than this prospective … [Read more...]
My Support Calls Were Answered Almost Immediately. Really. But, Wait…There’s More.
3 Reasons To Cloud Host: 1) Best Price, 2) Prompt Expert Support, 3) Free 60-Day Trial This blog highlights some of the more common reasons we hear why our clients select Cloud400 for their IBM i application hosting. I was recently talking to Rick Belcher, IT Manager for City of Bristol, VA, one of our Cloud400 clients. In particular, I asked what factors lead him to select Cloud400 from the other hosting providers he was evaluating. “Several factors about Cloud400 stood out,” Rick … [Read more...]
“Like” If You Are A Wild Duck
This is a very personal blog about the wonderful training and inspiration I received as an IBM employee in the 1970’s. I am grateful for the fine people I worked with and the exceptional leadership they offered. If you have been in the IT community for any period of time, you may remember past IBM Chairman T. J. Watson, Jr’s Basic Beliefs: Respect for the individual Best possible customer service Excellence in everything we do Straightforward, yet powerfully inspiring … [Read more...]
How Do I Get A Refund For Unused IBM Hardware And Software Support?
This blog briefly explains how to get a refund for the unused balance of IBM hardware and software support when a server is discontinued. This can be very helpful as customer can get refunds of $2,000 to $20,000 or more depending on circumstance. You might be amazed how many customers NEVER request a refund. I am often asked by customers upgrading to new IBM servers how they can get a refund for the unused portion of IBM hardware (HWMA) and software (SWMA) support for the server that is … [Read more...]
3 Ways You Get Overcharged For A New IBM POWER Server … And How To Avoid Them
If you are thinking about a new on-premise IBM i Server, you will want to read this. I am amazed how frequently I encounter IBM i users that have Bought servers with WAY more resource (memory, disk, core performance) than they will need – costing $50,000 to $200,000+ more than you need to spend, Paid for stuff they don’t use – costing you $3,000 -$15,000 more than you should pay, Are charged over list price for their IBM server – costing you $5,000-$20,000 too much. How come … [Read more...]
Computer Geeks Or Computer Geezers? Who Ya Gonna Call?
When You Need Expert IBM i Cloud Hosting, Who You Gonna Call? Computer Geeks…or Computer Geezers? Computer geeks? You know the type. They are young, intense (maybe too many energy drinks?), and computer smart. In fact, they will be the first to tell you just how smart they are. They talk in tongues – an incomprehensible language of impressive sounding acronyms and techno-babble. It must be a secret language they practice during the midnight ritual of on line chatting or trying to hack the … [Read more...]
We Just Made IBM i Version Upgrades Better: They Take a Lot Less Time And Cost Less, Too!
An IBM i (OS400, i5OS) version upgrade generally takes 10-20 hours (depending on server spend and number files) though unexpected surprises can extend that, sometimes even forcing you to start all over again on some future weekend. During this time, the server is in a restricted state. This means all users must have any access shut off, no jobs can run and the entire server is dedicated to the version upgrade process. For users running two or three shifts a day, a 20-hour restricted state … [Read more...]
5 Attributes To Check Out To Get The Right IBM i Cloud Hosting Provider
IBM i Hosting Providers Need A Completely Different Skill Set And Expertise Than Other Hosting Providers Selecting the right IBM i hosting provider is no easy task. You are in the business of what you do…not evaluating hosting providers. There are lots of folks that now claim they can host your critical IBM i business applications that really fall short at many levels. Unfortunately, you may discover this when it is too late…and after a painful surprise. How do you separate a … [Read more...]
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