Top OS/400 Stories from Around the Web

(IT Jungle) When IBM talks about the System i servers and you start hearing things like "the compelling story that resounds with customers," you know you are about to hear about the inherent value of the i5/OS and OS/400 platform. IBMers throw it down like it's the final trump card in a winner-take-all game of Minnesota high-stakes euchre. Deciphering the price/performance characteristics of the servers goes a long way toward determining inherent value. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) There's only room for one at the top of the information technology business pyramid. IBM has had that seat for a long time, but Hewlett-Packard will soon knock its rival down a peg. HP can credit its consumer business for lifting it to the top. IBM, meanwhile, has dedicated itself to the enterprise market. It's an interesting battle and worth a closer look. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Information technology has dramatically improved the capabilities of individuals and organizations. But how does one really zero in on performance and productivity and then draw a straight line to that magic word: profit? This article, part of a series, examines software technology and the hyper-competitive quest for performance and productivity gains. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) I'm no John Lennon, but Imagine an IT world with one operating system. It's easy if you try. (Just having some fun here, folks.) Ideas, like a single OS, tend to be given some room to breathe in discussions where open source is in the topic mix. So you shouldn't be surprised at what the database company Ingres is experimenting with and was talking about at LinuxWorld last week. (You might say they are dreamers, but they aren't the only ones.) READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Moving from a manual file management system to an electronic archiving system has paid off for this industrial products manufacturer, which is realizing the benefits of documents that are indexed and archived automatically as they are generated. The company also implemented a scanning/archiving process and it has distribution options that include integrated e-mail and fax interfaces plus the capability to provide printed paper copies for those that prefer it. READ MORE >

Vendor Announcements, Promotions, and Deals

(IT Jungle) Ask any old-timer about records management and, after the joke about always being able to find the Iron Butterfly LP when he needed it, you'll hear about the current emphasis on encrypting backup tapes. Along that same line of security-oriented thinking, there are options for encrypting and delivering files over the Internet via secure FTP. Here's a utility that can do both those things and backup iSeries servers as well. Take note, you disaster recovery planners. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Out on the factory floor, it's as important to work smart, as it is to work hard. Pretty doesn't count for much. Maybe that's why the System i is such a great factory worker. Manufacturers are able to put into use the bi-directional communication between numerous production devices and back-end applications such as ERP, supply chain, CRM, business intelligence, and data warehousing. Well, at least some are taking advantage of this, because not everyone has this capability. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Isn't life just full of surprises? Here's an example: a data access utility that users and programmers of RPG and COBOL applications utilize to execute SQL commands on Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, and other relational databases. Want another surprise? They can do this in the green-screen environment, without running separate query tools or transferring files. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) IT heavyweight IBM has not been particularly adept at knocking out the competition in the small to mid size market. In an effort to improve its revenues and position in the SMB, IBM has introduced servers and software at a lower price and, last week, announced it will pump $100 million into the fight for new customers in this arena. READ MORE >

(Insider Weekly) Companies that foresee radio frequency identification (RFID) in their future (or individuals who want to add RFID skills to their bag of tricks) can find technical articles, tutorials, a preview for RFID-enabling applications in the early stages of development, and a RFID modeling program available to them at the IBM alphaWorks Web site. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) As an ERP software vendor, if you can simplify the implementation process and provide speedier access to manufacturing data, you are doing the types of things that win customers and increase loyalty. And that's when people are ready to hear the rest of the story: the features such as planning, scheduling, customer relationship management, time and attendance, business intelligence, and warehouse management functionality. READ MORE >

Redbooks, White Papers, and Other OS/400 Resources

(LXI) This white paper examines how a well-intentioned disaster recovery plan can provide data that can be used against your own company in court. CIOs, IT directors and managers are being held accountable for the accuracy of the information their systems produce and they should understand record retention policies and the consequences of uncontrolled data life cycle management. READ MORE >

(Manhattan Associates) Based on a report from analysts at Aberdeen Group, this report forecasts an increase in the number of hosted applications used in supply chain management. READ MORE >

(IBM) This report is designed to help evaluate how Lotus Domino and its extended products for i5/OS can provide cost-effective collaboration solutions. It includes details about products, information sources, education, training and certification, and technical assistance. READ MORE >

(IBM) In the past, running OS/400 was good enough for iSeries and AS/400 users. But as you look ahead, Linux should begin pulling more and more weight. This white paper describes the benefits of running Linux on the System i5 servers. Companies are finding the advantages and cost savings of Linux paying off in areas such as Web serving, application serving, file-and-print serving, infrastructure support with DNS and proxy servers, e-mail support, and firewalls. READ MORE >

Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings

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

August 24 -- Webinar - Automating the help desk to improve workflow, reduce support costs, and speed customer problem-resolution is the focus of this Web-based presentation hosted by Unipress Software. Topics of discussion include centrally managed tracking for requests by phone, e-mail, the Web, and wireless devices; knowledge management; e-mail management; service level management; dynamic access to LDAP-based corporate address books; automated asset discovery and tracking; live e-support; and automated reporting. The event begins at 2 p.m. EDT. LEARN MORE >

August 24 -- Webinar - During this Web-based technical overview, Linoma Software experts will cover the modernization of RPG source code to RPG IV and /FREE form RPG. Topics will include various command options, as well as tips and techniques to maximize the modernization process. A demonstration of the company's RPG Toolbox is also part of the presentation. The session begins at noon CDT. LEARN MORE >

August 24 -- Webinar - This session takes the position that System i extensibility and interoperability depends on support for native features such as DB2/400, ILE RPG/COBOL program calls, user space access, data queue process, and command line processes. This session takes these native System i features and demonstrates how they can be incorporated with proven standards like XML and HTTP for reliable transport, formatting, and display of data within business processes. System i vendor, Magic Software, puts its iBOLT Integration Suite in the spotlight during this one-hour event that begins at 9 a.m. PDT. LEARN MORE >

August 29 -- Jacksonville, Florida - IBM is demonstrating its WebFacing and HATS technology tools for Web enabling iSeries applications. Grab a free lunch at the IBM offices, then hear about extending the reach of existing RPG and COBOL applications to the Internet and enhancing the look and feel of green-screen applications for internal users. The presentation is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. RSVP to Susan Yoskin at 305 790-0038 or smyoskin@us.ibm.com LEARN MORE >

August 30 -- Webinar - IT systems integrator Key Information Systems and infrastructure virtualization software provider VMware will co-host a session on achieving continuous Windows server availability without adding hardware. The event begins at 11 a.m. PDT. LEARN MORE >

September 6-8 -- San Francisco, California - This workshop provides Web services education and training using both IBM and Microsoft application development tools. Sessions will include topics such as the scope of Web services standards, practical experience with currently implemented Web services, and understanding the new Web services security profile. After completing this course, attendees should be able to evaluate how to use Web services in future projects and whether to implement secure Web services. LEARN MORE >

September 7 -- Toronto, Ontario, Canada - IBM has a service oriented architecture road show titled "WebSphere Live for SOA" designed to ease the progression along the SOA adoption path. The agenda at each of these presentations includes: SOA real world engagements that return positive ROI; an analyst perspective of the SOA market; the steps to make SOA happen at your organization; and the WebSphere products that support SOA. LEARN MORE >

September 8 -- Atlantic City, New Jersey - This one-day iSeries application modernization seminar is designed to introduce the concepts of Web Services and service oriented architecture while exploring the use of .NET technologies that take advantage of existing iSeries assets. The presentation is hosted by ASNA, a well-known iSeries software vendor, and features ASNA solutions that reuse substantial portions of your existing applications or add new service oriented components. 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 >