This blog covers 6 common reasons people want to host IBM i applications instead of relying on an on-premise server. This last week I was talking to Symmetrical Solutions partner Bob Dzialowski. Symmetrical Solutions develops software for YMCAs. Over the last few years, Bob has seen increased competition from Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers. Even though Bob knows his systems offer more functionality, SaaS seems very appealing. As Bob explains, his IBM i customers want out of the … [Read more...]
IBM i Software Keys And Uncommon Transactions
This is a blog about 2 examples where IBM users encountered unexpected delays and expense to get the needed software keys when they replaced their donor servers with newer servers. Anyone familiar with installing IBM i software is familiar with software keys. As a quick reminder, software keys certify you have IBM authorization to use IBM licensed software on a serialized server in your enterprise. Without the software keys, the IBM software will stop working within 70 days of … [Read more...]
Where Is The ROI To Leave IBM i In Favor Of Another Platform?
Last week I was talking with an IBM iSeries IT Manager. Specifically, we were talking about his IBM 9406-520, the end of IBM hardware support January 31, 2019, and what his plans were when there would be no more IBM support. Possible Move To New Platform When IBM Support Ends “Bob, my management expects to move to a Windows solution by the time IBM hardware support is gone,” he said. I asked what Windows business applications his company was considering. “We haven’t even … [Read more...]
What is a Virtual Tape Library (VTL)?
The purpose of this blog is to explain what a Virtual Tape Library (VTL) is and how IBM i (AS400/iSeries) users can benefit from this technology. What Is A VTL? A Virtual Tape Library, or VTL, is a disk-based technology that emulates a tape library for backup and restore. The disk technology is similar to a disk-array SAN. Physically, it looks like a 5U rack-based expansion chassis full of disk units. Physical dimensions can vary. The VTL often use SAS or SATA disk units as the … [Read more...]
Is It time To Review Your IT Disaster Recovery Plan?
OK, time for a reality check. You Either Have A Recovery Plan Or You Don’t. If You Do Have A Recovery Plan, Are You Sure It Will Work? IBM reports of all businesses with recovery plans 75% do not conduct regular recovery testing. But even if things go as planned, how realistic is the plan? Industry studies document that when downtime strikes, 33% of all recoveries do not go as expected. Can You Afford To Be Down For More Than 24 Hours – And Recover With Data That Is 36-48+ Hours … [Read more...]
3 Reasons Cloud400 30%-70% Less Expensive Than Other Hosting Providers
Cloud400 clients that shopped around before they settled on our IBM i (AS400/iSeries) hosting solution commonly tell us that we are 30%-70% less expensive than other providers. How can Cloud400 be 30%-70% less expensive than other hosting providers? Other hosting providers managing a wide-range of technologies require way more infrastructure and specialized staffing than needed for just IBM i. That also means they have higher costs that they have to pass on to hosting customers. And you … [Read more...]
Your 4 Options When IBM Stops AS400/iSeries Support
Please be aware that IBM has announced that they intend to withdraw hardware maintenance (HWMA) for AS400’s and iSeries effective January 31 2019 through October 31, 2020*. IBM is telling us that it is more difficult to get parts for these servers. So, they have announced that after the termination date, no more hardware support. Review Your Options And Start Planning For The End Of Your IBM HWMA. When IBM HWMA expires, here are your choices: Do Nothing. Run your server until you … [Read more...]
5 Reasons To Keep IBM i PTFs And Technology Refreshes Up To Date
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...]
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