The Sub-Capacity Challenge
by Hesh Wiener

IBM offers several software licensing plans for its System z computers, including plans that allow a customer to pay on the basis of capacity used rather than the potential of a whole computer. Sub-capacity pricing is conceptually simple, but in practice it can be complicated and confusing. IBM's often opaque policies frustrate users who would like to gain more control over software costs. It's enough to bring a grown VPDP to tears, and sometimes to migration. But it may be possible to bring sub-capacity pricing and its potential benefits within the grasp of more customers. READ MORE >

Top Mainframe Stories and Vendor Announcements

(IT Jungle) Will IBM's idea of licensing according to processor value units catch on? Depending on how well customers react to it, this could be the first step in a direction that will lead away from all forms of pricing based on software running on fixed hardware. Pricing is just one aspect of IT that virtualization could affect in the future. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) In its most recent report on quarterly sales and revenue, IBM showed MIPS shipments and mainframe revenue both increased by 7 percent. According to Big Blue, the newest System z models, the Business Class computers, were responsible for 15 percent of all mainframe MIPS booked in the quarter. READ MORE >

(ComputerWeekly) From a career standpoint, having database skills will make you one of the sharpest knives in the IT department drawer. And you can't argue with the fact that the IBM mainframe database, DB2, is a technology leader and can be found in the world's biggest IT shops. So, you might want to look at database skills as a smart career move. READ MORE >

(NewEra Software) System management software tools are designed to improve control processes. They monitor and provide alerts when system components are not meeting prescribed settings. As automation capabilities improve, you get software where that can also validate whether changes have been made, but also whether those changes are valid and correct. READ MORE >

Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings

August 13-18 -- Baltimore, Maryland - The SHARE User Events feature IBM technical training tailored for enterprise-class IT professionals. Educational sessions focus on real-world solutions that meet business challenges and influence future IT product development. In addition to the first-class training, SHARE presents a great opportunity for networking with other professionals who work at some of the world's leading organizations and have insights into the technology and products that companies and jobs are depending on. All SHARE User Event sessions and events will take place in the Baltimore Convention Center. LEARN MORE >

August 28 & 29 -- San Francisco - BMC UserWorld puts the focus on BMC products that are primarily designed for service management and database management. In addition to a variety of learning tracks, the conference also provides access to BMC executives, customer support representatives, and R&D gurus. An emphasis is placed on product tips and techniques, as well as the proven strategies that enable IT to proactively address business requirements such as lowering costs, driving revenue, and mitigating risk. LEARN MORE >

September 11-14 -- Baltimore, Maryland - The WebSphere Portal Technical Conference is set up to provide IBM's technically oriented product details and hands-on training, along with presentations of customer case studies and best practices from Big Blue's product architects and developers, IBM Business Partners, and customers. Sessions will be organized according to the following tracks: new features in WebSphere Portal, Portal basics, Portal development, and Portal administration. LEARN MORE >

October 20 & 21 -- Chicago, Illinois - The Network and Systems Professionals Association annual conference, NaSTEC, features educational tracks on large systems/mainframes, distributed systems, and professional development and includes 24 total sessions. Topics include IT compliance, TCP/IP network health checks, and security, as well as others. LEARN MORE >