Top OS/400 Stories from Around the Web

(IT Jungle) IBM software pricing has had a wild ride. Remember when there were more software tiers than stars in the sky and how that was later consolidated to five tiers, lower prices, and the addition of user-based pricing? Many pricing changes have taken place in the 20 years that led us to today. Here's an idea for next gen IBM i software pricing. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Just back from Japan, Frank Soltis sees IBM i users in that market as a more advanced collection of end users, independent software vendors, and resellers. They implement more modern technologies and are better equipped to make use of the modern aspects of IBM i. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) It's called a good value or getting the most for your money. Similar but different formulas are used to determine value. Lots of people like their homegrown ideas. Here's one that comes up with a "perfect" entry-level Power 720 configuration. READ MORE >

(Steve Pitcher Blog) Time changes and technology changes are never behind the times. The marketing folks take care of that. They like to re-brand products with every full moon. (Admitted exaggeration for effect.) Steve Pitcher has some ideas of his own on branding in the Lotus on IBM i community. READ MORE >

(Harris Data Blog) Discussions about cloud computing, especially when it comes to its cost-saving certainties, provide the same comfort level as wandering in the dark with only a weak flashlight. Cloud computing can be cheaper, but it is not a sure bet. Don't be steamrolled by the hype machine. READ MORE >

Vendor Announcements, Promotions, and Deals

(IT Jungle) Electronic signature captures are a business process stroke of luck. The combination of IBM i applications and devices such as the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch can produce a proof of delivery and send an invoice electronically within minutes. Don't let anyone tell you integration is futile. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Throw a rock at any IBM i educational conference and you'll likely hit at least one person who wants to learn more about application development tools that deliver data-driven Web interfaces to existing applications and databases. Business objectives that are commonly sited are B2B and B2C applications in a portal that allows customers to check on order status. Here's how it can be done. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) Depending on who you ask, the reporting and business intelligence tools for the IBM i server can either meet business requirements or they can't. What exactly do you need? If it's ad hoc query, Web reporting and drill-down, OLAP, dashboarding, KPIs, and report compatibility for mobile devices, this might meet your expectations. READ MORE >

(IT Jungle) The market for disk arrays and tape libraries has always been based on performance. But lately that's changed to price and performance. Take one more step and the storage comparisons will include storage monitoring and management. READ MORE >

Redbooks, White Papers, and Other OS/400 Resources

(Connectria) Can you talk platform strategy with the executive management at your organization? Factors such as application availability, integration, cost, and in-house IT expertise issues are all discussed in this report on assessing the iSeries/IBM i. READ MORE >

(Botz & Associates) In this free video tutorial series, security expert Patrick Botz guides viewers through a proven, vendor-independent process for estimating the return on investment for Single-Sign-On. It includes calculating the true cost of packaged and manual solutions, and calculating the cost of managing passwords. READ MORE >

(IBM) The IBM Systems Energy Estimator is a Web-based tool for estimating power requirements for IBM Power Systems. You can use this tool to estimate typical power requirements (watts) for a specific system configuration under normal operating conditions. The Energy Estimator can be run in standalone mode and is also integrated with the IBM Systems Workload Estimator. The Energy Estimator will be regularly updated to support new hardware and software functions. READ MORE >

(IBM) The developerWorks website has technology updates organized by subject matter and category of enhancements. You can find IBM-produced content on DB2 on i, the IBM i operating system, hardware and firmware, integration with BladeCenter, and PowerHA SystemMirror for i. READ MORE >

Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings

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

November 17 -- Webinar - Transforming green screens into Web-based GUIs is the focus of this presentation that features BCD's Presto software. During this demonstration, emphasis is given to speedy data entry, including new DB2 data in programs, adding dynamic radio buttons and checkboxes, charts and drop-down lists, editing HTML tables, and editing JavaScript events. No changes to RPG, COBOL, or DDS source code is required. The session begins at 1 p.m. EST. LEARN MORE >

November 17 -- Webinar - Going paperless by automating the accounts payable workflow is one of the most beneficial operational improvements an organization can make. However, most organizations go into AP automation projects unprepared, resulting in projects that fall short of expectations due to inadequate planning or shoddy implementation. This session presents a six-step process that leads to successful paperless deployments for accounts payable workflow. It begins at 11 a.m. CDT. LEARN MORE >

November 17 -- Atlanta, Georgia - An opportunity to upgrade skills and improve applications with a full-day of education and training presented by Jon Paris and Susan Gantner will take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Location and session agenda have yet to be announced. LEARN MORE >

November 18 -- Fairfield, New Jersey - Guest speaker Brian May will present two sessions at the regular monthly meeting of the North Eastern Systems Technology Users (NESTU) meeting. The first will cover the enhancements to RPG that can be utilized in the latest version of the IBM i operating system. The topics include string-related upgrades, aliases, prototyping, and RPG Open Access. The second session will focus on XMLSERVICE and its relationship to PHP, service programs, PASE shell, and CL commands. May was recently recognized for his contributions to the IBM i community by being named an IBM Champion for Power Systems. The NESTU meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. LEARN MORE >

November 23 -- Markham, Ontario, Canada - Barry Kushal Munir and Barbara Morris are the guest speakers at the Toronto User Group meeting of the members. Kushal will review the features and enhancements recently made to Rational Developer for Power Systems beginning at 5 p.m. Morris will concentrate on RPG Open Access. Her session begins at 7 p.m. Dinner and networking is sandwiched in between. The meeting takes place at the IBM Toronto Lab located at 8200 Warden Avenue. LEARN MORE >

December 6 -- Norwalk, Connecticut - The Fairfield AS/400 Users Group monthly meeting will feature Trevor Perry speaking about technology and IT past, present, and future. Perry is a popular speaker and consultant on modernization and IT strategy. FASUG meetings are held at the Norwalk Inn, 99 East Avenue, and begin at 5:30 p.m. LEARN MORE >

December 8 -- Maryland Heights, Missouri - John Earl, president of Townsend Security Solutions, will discuss automating the encryption and decryption processes with DB2/400 data at the monthly meeting of the Gateway/400 Group, a System i user group serving the greater St. Louis area. The meeting begins with lunch at noon and the presentation following lunch. RSVP no later than Monday before the meeting date. LEARN MORE >

December 8 -- Maryland Heights, Missouri - John Earl, president of Townsend Security Solutions, will discuss automating the encryption and decryption processes with DB2/400 data at the monthly meeting of the Gateway/400 Group, a System i user group serving the greater St. Louis area. The meeting begins with lunch at noon and the presentation following lunch. RSVP no later than Monday before the meeting date. LEARN MORE >