IBM's Server Group Marketing Strategy for 2002
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

Three weeks ago, I outlined IBM's sales plans for its Server Group and business partner channel to help give you an idea of what IBM is thinking, so you can plan. Since that time, I have been digging around for information on IBM's marketing plans for Server Group, so you can get a sense of what IBM's priorities are. Both pieces of information will help you try to figure out how your plans mesh with IBM's expectations for 2002. READ MORE >

IBM Offers iSeries Discounts to Web Buyers and Domino Users
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

IBM, like other IT suppliers, is trying to figure out how to hold revenues while cutting costs, and that is the major reason why the company launched a special Web promotion at its Web store on many iSeries components that customers want to buy. The promotion, which offers a 5 percent discount, is in effect until September 23, which gives IBM enough time to ship the products and book them in the third quarter. READ MORE >

Resellers Say Green Streak Deal Will Definitely Move the Green
by Alex Woodie

The 50 percent discount IBM is giving on certain entry-level iSeries boxes, as part of its Green Streak promotion, will considerably reduce the profit resellers make on each box. Despite the cuts, however, the consensus among resellers and distributors in the iSeries market is that IBM's aggressive discounting--with the Green Streak deal, and with the discounts announced in April--as positive moves that will boost volume in the short term and make the platform more competitive against Intel-based servers in the long run. READ MORE >

Wayne Evans Talks About OS/400 Security
by Dan Burger

Chances are you don't know OS/400 security like this man. Few people do. Wayne O. Evans is one of the best-known names in AS/400 and iSeries security. In 1991, after working at the IBM Rochester, Minnesota, development lab for 27 years (including six years designing security features for the AS/400), Evans retired and began a second career in speaking and teaching about AS/400 security. READ MORE >

Admin Alert: When Did I Last Use That Save Command?
by Joe Hertvik

For disaster recovery and auditing system backups, it helps to know when you last used the save commands, such as Save System (SAVSYS), Save Configuration (SAVCFG), or Save Library (SAVLIB), to save OS/400 system information. You may also need information on system backups, such as the media device type (such as tape or save file) your saves were performed to, the save volume name and sequence number of the media, and file label IDs. Here's how find that information. READ MORE >

Vendors Differ on the Importance of Remote Journaling
by Alex Woodie

When IBM introduced remote journaling as a new function within OS/400 V4R2, in 1998, it was viewed as a technology that would impact AS/400 disaster recovery and high availability strategies. Four years later, that has yet to happen on a large scale. Today, only a handful of companies have instituted remote journaling along with traditional OS/400 high availability middleware. However, two newcomers are hoping to capitalize on remote journaling's capabilities with a new generation of OS/400 high availability programs. READ MORE >

But Wait, There's More . . .

Get the Latest OS/400 PTF Guide . . . Hewitt Survey Shows IT Pay Increases Diminishing . . . IDC Says Recovery in IT Spending Coming in Q4 . . . Kisco Launches "Free Stuff" Section of Web Site . . . Lakeview Forges Partnership with Data Junction for Changed Data . . . Managed Availability in Single iSeries Environment Topic of Lakeview Webcast . . . READ MORE >

Mad Dog 21/21: Canute, Rock Me
by Hesh Wiener

The most powerful captains of industry, such as the boss of IBM, Sam Palmisano, have virtually unlimited power within their corporate realms and, usually, beyond. There are, however, times and events that starkly reveal the limits of their strength, moments that turn out to be not so much a test of will as a measure of character. IBM has been caught in a dangerous undertow. Its financial results are awash in a tide of red ink. And it is not yet clear what Palmisano can do about it. READ MORE >

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