Server Sales Up a Bit in 2006, But Q4 Looks a Bit Weak
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

Sometimes, it is not what people say that matters, but what they don't say. The analysts at Gartner and IDC usually race to call each past quarter's server sales by revenue, shipments, and platform type. But this time around, only Gartner has thus far released numbers, and as it did last year at this time, the company is talking about all four quarters of 2006 instead of singling out the fourth quarter. READ MORE >

Top Mainframe Stories from Around the Web

(The Register) Lurking in the background while IBM and PSI lob lawsuits into one anothers' camps is the shadow of HP. Could it be that the cozy relationship between PSI and HP is the real burr under IBM's saddle? Take a look at Big Blue's plans to end support for 32-bit systems and HP's interest in wooing those customers before you discount what HP is or is not up to. READ MORE >

(eFinancialCareers) This report from a job market publication specializing in the financial industry says the mainframe and Wall Street are parting ways. The split is being hastened by technological advancements outside the mainframe that are more cost effective--"indisputable cost advantages" they say with an air of complete authority--and provide alternatives to the mainframe. READ MORE >

(ITWorldCanada) Much like a watershed map, a recent Brookings Institution study shows areas in the U.S. where offshoring has drained IT and back-office jobs. And if that alone hasn't been responsible for sending your job down the river, you might have noticed that skill sets are shifting. MVS programmers are not likely to find any benefits in that either. READ MORE >

(GCN) File this report under the subject line government efficiency. Yes, that's sometimes considered an oxymoron, but the good news is mainframe system software security at the Environmental Protection Agency has not been breached. The bad news is that access to system software needs to be more secure according to a report by the EPA's Office of Inspector General. Among the weaknesses sited were roles and responsibilities, change controls, policies and procedures, and security settings. READ MORE >

Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings

See our full calendar of events at
http://www.itjungle.com/big/big-calendar.html

March 6 -- Tampa, Florida - This technical briefing, WebSphere Live for SOA, is a one-day forum that emphasizes and explains why service oriented architecture (SOA) is a key differentiator for the success of companies of all sizes across all industries. It is aimed at a technical audience. LEARN MORE >

March 8 -- Southfield, Michigan - This technical briefing, WebSphere Live for SOA, is a one-day forum that emphasizes and explains why service oriented architecture (SOA) is a key differentiator for the success of companies of all sizes across all industries. It is aimed at a technical audience. LEARN MORE >

April 23-27 -- Orlando, Florida - IBM system management products are the highlight of the Automated Operations Technical Council conference, where sessions are presented by representatives from IBM software development teams and their customers. The focus is on the mainframe environment, but extends out into the enterprise. The AOTC is a closed conference, with attendance by invitation only. Contact your IBM field representative for more details and an opportunity to attend. LEARN MORE >

May 6-10 -- San Jose, California - The International DB2 Users Group conference, known as IDUG 2007 North America, offers training and education on topics that include including DB2 for Linux, Unix, Windows; DB2 for z/OS; Informix; Java; Websphere; and XML. LEARN MORE >