• IBM Kills Off Fax/400, But Alternatives Are Available

  August 19, 2024 Alex Woodie

  IBM will cease supporting Facsimile Support for i, commonly known as Fax/400, with the next release of the IBM i operating system, it announced last month. That tees up an opportunity for third-party vendors like Fresche Solutions and others to fill the void for a communication technology that is still used by businesses.

  The IBM Facsimile Support for i (5798-FAX) product was not among the group of 16 IBM i products that IBM initially withdrew from sales and support with its discontinuance of support letter back on May 7, the same day that it announced the latest technology refreshes (TRs) …

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• Thoroughly Modern: Proactive Solutions To Enhance IBM i Cloud Security

  August 5, 2024 Lief Morin

  IBM i systems are known for their reliability and robust security features, like object-level security, comprehensive auditing, and advanced encryption. Although most cloud journeys start out in search of economic efficiencies, enhanced security quickly becomes the primary reason why IBM i organizations choose to migrate to the cloud. So, it’s crucial to identify and remediate IBM i cloud security challenges early (and often) to realize the benefits of improved security operations for your IBM i environment in the cloud.

  A Cloud Computing Recap

  Before we dive into specific security issues, let’s quickly recap what cloud computing is. Essentially, cloud computing …

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• Thoroughly Modern: The Synon Transformation Journey, From Legacy To Modern Java Solutions

  July 8, 2024 Chris Koppe

  In today’s evolving tech landscape, companies that run CA 2E (Synon) on IBM i face significant challenges hindering progress and sustainability. Synon represents a fraction of the market share in IBM i environments, far behind RPG and COBOL, and IBM’s recent announcement to cease PL/I support in future OS versions will impact compliance for SOX-regulated and other industries.

  Moreover, shifts in ownership – from Computer Associates to Broadcom – cast doubt on Synon’s long-term viability and continued support. A dwindling pool of Synon developers, brittle applications that are difficult to integrate with modern technologies, and cryptic database structures further add …

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• Thoroughly Modern: Still Making These Six IBM i Security Faux Pas? STOP!

  June 10, 2024 Alan Hamm

  As the backbone of many enterprise IT environments, IBM i platforms are known for their robustness, reliability, and security. However, even the most resilient systems are not immune to vulnerabilities if not properly managed.

  Despite their powerful capabilities, IBM i environments often suffer from outdated security practices that can expose your organization to significant risks. This article highlights the most common IBM i security faux pas and provides actionable mitigation strategies.

  The Most Common IBM i Security Challenges

  1. Outdated Operating System

  One of the simplest yet most overlooked steps to secure an IBM i environment is to keep the …

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• Thoroughly Modern: How To Navigate IBM i Cloud Success – Beyond Migration

  May 6, 2024 Lief Morin

  The decision to migrate to the cloud is a vital part of an organization’s modernization endeavors. However, the true measure of success lies after the production applications go-live. To understand the critical role of a strategic plan, the measurements of success, and technical and process optimizations, it is essential for organizations to achieve operational excellence and realize the benefits of the IBM i cloud.

  IBM i Cloud Environments: Private, Hybrid, and Public

  In a previous article, we provided definitions of various cloud consumption models, but as a brief review, a cloud service is one that offers self-service, network access, …

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• Thoroughly Modern: Proceed With Caution With AI In The Landscape Of Cybersecurity

  April 8, 2024 Pauline Brazil Ayala

  In the fast-evolving realm of technological innovation, AI has emerged as one of the most compelling yet controversial advancements. Its potential spans industries, revolutionizing not only how data is processed but also how ideas are conceived.

  A recent study by PEW Research indicates that almost a quarter of employed Americans aged 30 to 49 have used ChatGPT for work, up from 8 percent last year. Its allure lies in automation; augmenting tasks like writing contracts and analyzing data with speed and efficiency that far surpass human limitations.

  However, with innovation comes the need for vigilance – particularly in the realm …

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• More Db2 Web Query Alternatives, And An Update

  March 11, 2024 Alex Woodie

  It has been five months since IBM abruptly killed off Db2 Web Query, the IBM i-based suite of business intelligence tools that Big Blue OEMed from Information Builders. Some customers have already settled on a replacement, but many others are still combing the market looking for a good fit.

  The product that is arguably the most well-positioned to replace Db2 Web Query is WebFOCUS, the Information Builders product on which Db2 Web Query is based. IBM had an OEM agreement with the New York-based company for more 15 years before it abruptly ended in October.

  IT Jungle has asked Information …

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• Thoroughly Modern: A Practical Primer For The IBM i Cloud Journey

  March 11, 2024 Lief Morin

  Cloud has evolved significantly from its roots in the shared services era of IBM mainframes in the 1960s and 1970s. While some parallels can be drawn, today’s cloud landscape emphasizes flexible capacity and pricing models over traditional outright purchases of computing resources like the IBM i platform. The prevailing trend towards major cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and IBM Cloud has underscored the importance of a shared architecture approach for cost-effectiveness and business prosperity.

  Most businesses rely on heavily modified solutions for their core business applications, so they find significant benefits in a shared …

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• The Cloud Is Part Of The IBM i Present, And A Bigger Part Of Its Future

  February 26, 2024 Timothy Prickett Morgan

  As obvious as this might sound in hindsight, if you want to get the right answers, you have to ask the right questions in the first place. And as inquisitive communicators, we will be the first ones to admit that this is not always as easy as it sounds.

  It is hard to draw the line in the timeline sands for when the first true cloudy instance of a Power Systems machine running a rentable license to the IBM i operating system was announced, but it is safe to say that various hosting providers have been renting out parts of …

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• Thoroughly Modern: From Tradition To Transformation For IBM i In The Era Of Cloud And AI

  February 12, 2024 Monica Sanchez

  The value of IBM i is undeniable, especially if you are running an IBM i shop. But that does not mean IT leaders can ignore pivotal market changes in cloud, cybersecurity, and AI. These disruptive forces all have something in common – they are driving change. They are shaping operations and future strategies, pushing IT leaders to innovate.

  As we dig deeper into these transformative forces, it becomes clearer that the path forward for IBM i shops is all about continuous evolution and strategic foresight.

  Cybersecurity: Trends and Tactics

  Cybersecurity has been a major concern in the past few years. …

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