Getting a Grip on the zIIP
by Hesh Wiener

In January, IBM said it would add the z9 Integrated Information Processor, or zIIP, to the roster of specialty engines in its flagship mainframes this year. For some workloads, a zIIP co-processor can reduce the amount of capacity required by DB2 under z/OS. This can cut the cost of software licensed under workload plans. No big iron shop can ignore a chance to get more computing for less money. But it's not yet obvious which shops will benefit from this option. It's up to each customer to decide for whom the bells and whistles will reduce tolls. READ MORE >

Top Mainframe Stories and Vendor Announcements

(Computer Weekly) Mainframe computers. Some people can't live with them and others can't live without them. What are the circumstances that lead to migrations and what are the benefits to not only staying with the mainframe but expanding its role in the data center? READ MORE >

(IBM) The System z9 offers functions such as clustering for scalability and availability and systems management tools for ease of use and increased efficiency. These tools have been available on IBM mainframes for many years and add substantial workload capabilities. This IBM-written report details best practices for System z9 running Lotus Domino. Topics include application recommendations, networking, backup and recovery, and performance management. READ MORE >

(ShareCast) After COBOL tools vendor Micro Focus International released the news that its profits would not meet expectations, shares took a tumble and CEO Tony Hill took a walk. Company directors have made some stock purchases to stop the bleeding. READ MORE >

Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings

March 9-15 -- Hannover, Germany - With more than 6,000 exhibitors and nearly 500,000 attendees, CeBIT Hannover is one of the world's biggest forums for information technology, hardware, software, and services. A wide variety of educational sessions, keynote addresses, and panel discussions cover technology trends and market analysis. LEARN MORE >

March 27-29 -- Orlando, Florida - The Service Oriented Architecture and Web Services Best Practices conference is designed for organizations looking for ways to create an architecture for interoperability across disparate systems. It will focus on the key steps for implementation, the role of Web services, new models for building applications, and return on investment. Discounts on registration costs are in effect until January 27. LEARN MORE >

April 7-11 -- Chattanooga, Tennessee - The WAVV user group annual conference offers more than 100 educational sessions focusing on the use of VSE, VM, and Linux on IBM mainframe computers. The event also includes a vendor exposition. LEARN MORE >

May 7-11 -- Tampa, Florida - The IDUG 2006 North American Conference is an educational forum for database users across all platforms. The educational program consists of 11 technical tracks, each focused on a particular facet of DB2 usage. IDUG, the International DB2 Users Group, manages several DB2 technology conferences each year. The North American conference is the largest. A vendor expo is included in the event. LEARN MORE >

June 12-16 -- Atlanta, Georgia - The Transaction & Messaging Technical Conference features the most current information on the CICS TS V3.1 and WebSphere MQ family of products including tips, techniques, and business integration solutions. The agenda includes hundreds of sessions, a product expo, and certification testing. LEARN MORE >