Top OS/400 Stories from Around the Web

(IT Jungle) Two prominent independent software vendors from the System i community have joined forces in an unexpected move that may have startled some IBM System i customers. Help/Systems, which is best known for its automation tools that perform tasks such as backups and job scheduling, acquired The PowerTech Group, a security software and services company with a focus on data privacy and access control. Whenever mergers and acquisitions occur in the normally quiet System i ecosystem, it's a bit of a shock, even though the frequency has increased during the past several years. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are heavy investors in supply chain management software, an area where much of the innovation in ERP is taking place these days. The competition among software vendors is intense, which has directly led to the JDA acquisition of i2, a company that's done its best work for discrete manufacturers. Buying technology puts JDA in a better position sooner rather than later and provides better weapons when going into battle with the likes of Oracle and SAP. READ MORE >

(System iNetwork) Improving enterprise level security, according to System i security expert Pat Botz, begins by viewing it as a business problem rather than a technical problem. Botz, the former System i security architect at IBM, now runs his own company, which he talks about in this interview. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) For several years the world's biggest IT hardware, software, and services companies have been checking out the small to mid size market like a wolf approaching a flock of sheep. Analysts report the SMB is hungry for the advantages that IT provides to the mega enterprises they have to compete with. The giants of IT are hungry for new business. The appetizer menu, which consists of trends and analysis, will only last so long. When does the main course arrive? READ MORE >

(Financial Week) Ten billion dollars in cash is a pretty tall pile no matter how you stack it. How you choose to spend it is an interesting mental image as well. I don't have to worry about it, but there are a few folks in the big offices at IBM--where this kind of cash stockpile resides--that have to decide how much to go shopping with and how much to invest. Stockholders and customers will be watching. READ MORE >

Vendor Announcements, Promotions, and Deals

(IT Jungle) Mobile devices for enterprise users promise productivity gains and competitive advantages for workers no longer tied to desks and offices. Improving data collection and data distribution by delivering 5250 applications through hand-held Web browsers is already a reality for some companies, but the integration process has not always been easy. Progress is being made, however, and here's some information you should know about user interfaces to back-end i OS and z/OS applications via the Apple iPhone, Windows Mobile devices, and the RIM Blackberry. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) The design of the System i makes it particularly adept as an analytical server, yet there are relatively few business intelligence workloads running there. BI solutions are likely to be found on other platforms. Some in the System i community may be familiar with SQL Server from Microsoft. It's made some inroads into System i territory. Here's a new option that could lead to rethinking the business proposition that BI brings to the i. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) The job of an auto mechanic requires tools for all occasions. That's why you see the Snap-On tools truck parked outside his shop. By comparison, computer hackers are just as well equipped. When it comes to penetrating computer systems, skills and tools are not in short supply. If your business processes credit card transactions, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is the tool you need. But it's of no value if you don't learn to use it right. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) For businesses that depend on processing credit card transactions, vigilance can never be taken lightly when it comes to preserving security. The Payment Cardholder Industry has its regulations, but wading through the Everglades might be easier and maybe quicker, too. Take, for instance, the part about Internet connection to obtain credit authorizations from the payment card networks. It's about as clear as mud. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Setting up an enterprise-strength Web application infrastructure that can scale has its challenges. System administration, configuration, architecture, and backups are each part of the problem and the solution. With the Apple iPhone gaining attention as a useful enterprise tool, tying Web-based front-ends to back-office applications has some companies eager to move forward. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Comparing regression test results and other analyses that relate to application integrity and the possible adverse effects caused by programming changes can be a labor-intensive and expensive ordeal. Not testing and having applications fail can be more painful and more expensive than you can imagine--unless it's already happened to you. When do you want to have that talk with your boss about unacceptable levels of risk? READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Imagine PHP as a porch light on a warm summer night and RPG programmers as the flying bugs in the front yard. Every bug is going to visit that porch light. It's possible that I've overplayed this analogy just a bit, but PHP is gaining a lot of RPG programmers' attention. If you want to do Web development, consider this. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Encryption software for the i OS that is also suitable for Windows, Unix, and Linux? This sounds like progressive thinking to me. It's a cross-platform world out there, if I'm not mistaken. In this case, it's about securely moving data from one system to another. Please add emphasis when reading the word "securely." READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Spool file output from i OS applications continue to play a huge role for IBM System i shops moving into the online world. Examples of spool file improvements include the selectivity of spool files in the queue; form design; and e-mail, fax, and archiving capabilities. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) More than 150,000 developers and designers can't be wrong, can they? Apparently not when it comes to open source data integration software. Maybe it has something to do with providing the capability to build data integration views that connect multiple operating systems and data access methods. And maybe it's because a lot of people just like the open source way of doing business. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Clustered disk arrays take the idea of clustering servers and applies it to disk arrays and the file systems they support. In the Big Blue product catalog you'll find this new system listed as the IBM 2810 Model A14 and it offers capacity on demand, utility-style activation of latent capacity inside the box. Customers can start with 21.2 TB activated and turn on what they need from there. It supports Unix, Linux, and Windows hosts, but IBM says more operating systems will be added. READ MORE >

Redbooks, White Papers, and Other OS/400 Resources

(IBM) The whole idea of "being green" and environmental activism makes some people just see red. Talk about your hot buttons--whew! But green is not only about environmentalism. It's also about saving money. Since 1996 the cost for powering, cooling, and managing data centers has more than doubled. Check out this video tour of IBM's new data center in Boulder, Colorado, and listen up when the talk turns to business value and optimizing power consumption. READ MORE >

(essextec) A white paper titled "System i Optimization Best Practices" is available from this consulting company that specializes in IT system architecture design, implementation, and project management. READ MORE >

(Seagull) The term "screen-scraping" has a bad reputation. Yet next-generation screen-scraping software can be an application modernization solution that solves the problems green screens present. In this white paper, you get the myths regarding screen-scraping plucked, cleaned, cooked, and served along with explanations regarding why these myths are preventing some companies from improving their business applications. READ MORE >

(Databorough) "Modernizing and Improving the Maintainability of RPG Applications Using X-Analysis Version 5.6" is a white paper that discusses concepts and methods for design recovery and refactoring monolithic RPG applications into modern application architecture. A copy of this tutorial, including code, and a trial copy of the X-Analysis software is available from the vendor. READ MORE >

(Bytware) What are your security worries? Perhaps your security policy is shot full of holes or it is time consuming, difficult to manage, or error prone. This white paper distinguishes between an object-based approach and a transaction-based approach. When security is your responsibility, you should know all the potential weaknesses. READ MORE >

Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings

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

September 8-12 -- Chicago, Illinois - The IBM Power Systems Technical University will include more than 100 sessions focused on the i environment. Session topics include the new features in i 6.1, PowerVM software, server utilization and sharing I/O resources, consolidation of Intel and i applications, best practices for smooth migration to Power6 and i 6.1, steps to reduce energy costs, high availability, DB2 Web Query, PHP, MySQL, IP telephony, and Lotus Quickr. LEARN MORE >

September 9 -- Southfield, Michigan - An introduction to PHP on System i will be presented at the regularly scheduled local user group meeting of the Southeast Michigan iSeries User Group. Guest speaker is Larry Farmer, a systems analyst and RPG programmer at Michigan State University. His presentation will emphasize simple ways to use PHP to perform useful tasks from the perspective of a busy RPG programmer who doesn't have a lot of time to spend learning something new on the job. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at IBM Southfield offices located at 18000 West Nine Mile Road. LEARN MORE >

September 9-12 -- Nashville, Tennessee - The Optimum Solutions 2008 Users Conference will feature sessions pertaining to payroll, human resources, and time and attendance software. More than 35 topics will be presented during the conference. Registrations prior to August 4 receive a $150 discount. LEARN MORE >

September 10 -- Long Island, New York - A warehouse management expo focused on productivity and efficiency increases, risk management, and growing businesses will be hosted by VAI, developers of enterprise software for the distribution, manufacturing, retail and service industries. From 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. there will be numerous workshops and accessibility to industry experts. LEARN MORE >

September 10 -- Mason, Michigan - An introduction to PHP on System i will be presented at the regularly scheduled local user group meeting of the Midrange Users of Mid-Michigan. Guest speaker is Larry Farmer, a systems analyst and RPG programmer at Michigan State University. His presentation will emphasize simple ways to use PHP to perform useful tasks from the perspective of a busy RPG programmer who doesn't have a lot of time to spend learning something new on the job. There will be two sessions. The first begins at 4 p.m. and the second begins at 6:30. The meeting will be held at Dart Container Corporation located at 500 Hogsback Road. LEARN MORE >

September 11 -- Maryland Heights, Missouri - Rodrigo Villalobos, an IBM software engineer specializing in graphical user interfaces will discuss the System i Navigator family of products that include Navigator for Windows, Navigator for the i OS, and more than 300 tasks for the Web. The meeting is hosted by the Gateway/400 Group, an iSeries user group serving the greater St. Louis area. The meeting time is 11:30 a.m. with lunch at noon and the presentation following lunch. RSVP no later than Monday before the meeting date. LEARN MORE >

September 11 -- Trenton, New Jersey - A warehouse management expo focused on productivity and efficiency increases, risk management, and growing businesses will be hosted by VAI, developers of enterprise software for the distribution, manufacturing, retail and service industries. From 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. there will be numerous workshops and accessibility to industry experts. LEARN MORE >

September 11 -- Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Tips on identifying IBM System i errors and System i Navigator equivalents to common green-screen functions is the topic of the first of two sessions presented at the monthly meeting of the Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Association. Session one begins at 4:30 p.m. The topics discussed at session two will be procedures, binding directories, service programs, and API calls. This session begins at 7:30. Guest speaker is Tom Davidson, an expert in performance tuning and application development and a long-time member of WMCPA. In between the two sessions is dinner and networking with the members. LEARN MORE >

September 15-18 -- Santa Clara, California - The Zend/PHP Conference brings together PHP developers and business managers from around the world for more than 50 technical presentations and networking events. Sessions range from beginner level to advanced topics and include in-depth tutorials, case-studies, and an exhibit hall displaying the latest products. Topics of specific interest to System i users include: modernizing i5 applications, Internet-working your i5, PHP security on i5/OS, open source applications, and customer case studies. Other session topics include: maximizing scalability and performance of Web applications, PHP testing strategies, creating rich Internet applications, building secure Web applications, and maximizing the business impact of PHP applications. Discount registration is available until July 25. LEARN MORE >

September 15-17 -- Las Vegas, Nevada - IBM will be showcasing its e-Commerce and multi-channel solutions at the Shop.org Annual Summit, which is being held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Internet and multi-channel retailers will have an opportunity to talk with IBM representatives about topics such as rich Internet applications, searchandizing, Web-based kiosks, channel integration, and distributed order management. LEARN MORE >

September 16 -- Webinar - The importance of keeping critical data safe, with minimal impact to daily operations, is one reason people are taking a closer look at encryption options. This online session titled Don't Let Encryption Performance Slow Down Your Business examines issues that can lead to increased costs, compliance failure, and exposure to legal liability. The event is hosted by Patrick Townsend Security Solutions and the presentation will be made by company president and CEO, Patrick Townsend. The 30-minute session begins at 10 a.m. PDT. LEARN MORE >

September 16 -- Norwalk, Connecticut - The Fairfield AS/400 Users Group monthly meeting topic is an introduction to BladeCenter technology on Power6 platforms. Topics of discussion will include the single-socket, dual-core BladeCenter S, other Power6-based blade servers, and a comparison and contrast between servers and blade solutions. Guest speaker is IBM's Steve Fier, an expert in application development, DB2 for i, Windows integration, and server consolidation. LEARN MORE >

September 17 -- West Chester, Pennsylvania - A one-day training session on SQL/400 is being presented by Kevin Forsythe and hosted by the Delaware Valley Computer Users Group and COMMON. The session will cover topics such as SQL tools, SQL statement syntax, data manipulation, SQL objects, embedded SQL statements, stored procedures, and plenty of other subjects, as well. Forsythe is a well-known a consultant, trainer, and author. This event takes place at the West Chester University of Pennsylvania Graduate Business Center and begins at 8:30 a.m. LEARN MORE >

September 17 -- Woodbury, New York - The Long Island Systems Users Group monthly meeting topic is an introduction to BladeCenter technology on IBM Power Systems. LISUG meetings are held at the Fox Hollow Inn and begin at 6 p.m.LEARN MORE >