RE: Help Save the iSeries

Maybe a picture of an Abrams M-1 tank and a Soviet T60 tank?

Any computer which can take S/36 data and pgms and continue to run with
nothing more than a compile will also be able to take what's current TODAY
and move it to whatever environment will be current in 5 years.  With NT,
you need to get a new version of the software in order to upgrade the
hardware OR the vendor will upgrade the software and require you to upgrade
the hardware in order to get that bug fix you need, and in order to keep
maintenance support.  NT is a bottomless pit.  (So are PC's.)

You could also dig up the Gartner Group recommendation to dump IIS.

You could go to Ignite400.org and read what they have to say about Code Red
Worm (and get their gif "Got Worms" while you're at it.)

You could point to the as/400 and yourself and say "programming and system
support".

Then point to an NT and 10 people with beepers, goatees, and commuter coffee
mugs and say "system support.  Programming support not included."

You could point to as/400 users __working__, and say "productivity".

You could point to windows users waiting for the SQL server to be
__rebooted__ for the third time this morning, and say "inefficient".

The ignite site used to have an mpeg from IBM which expanded on the above.
It may still be there.

You could point out that the decision should be what application solves your
business problem.  Then, select the platform.  Not the other way around.
(This may lead to an as/400 because of the requirements of the business
problem.)

And if that doesn't work, you could mutter "Ringling Brothers were right - a
fool **is** born every minute."  Or, you could try "Benjamin Franklin was
right - a fool and his money **are** soon parted."  (Hopefully I attributed
those quotes to the right people.)

Phil



> -----Original Message-----
> From: midrange-l-admin@midrange.com
> [mailto:midrange-l-admin@midrange.com]On Behalf Of Jeff Glenn
> Sent: Monday, October 22, 2001 9:18 PM
> To: midrange-l@midrange.com
> Subject: Help Save the iSeries
>
>
> I've been given the chance by a client to justify the existence of their
> AS/400 instead of it being replaced with NT / SQL Server (although the
> AS/400 has a small chance, per the client). I have no doubt that keeping
> the AS/400 is the way to go, but I'm not very good at selling it. I've
> pasted below my very rough notes so far. If anyone would like to
> contribute to this cause or can point me to an existing report, I would
> appreciate it (either to the list or
> private email).
>
> Thanks,
> Jeff
>
> Jeff.Glenn@glennconsulting.com
>
> Save the iSeries!
> *The existing core applications have been running strong for years and
> continue to run today with very little administration. The AS/400 is a
> big
> part of the infrastructure and success of the company, but not many
> realize it since it doesn't require a lot of attention. Integrated
> system - describe strengths.
>
> *SQL database can be implemented on iSeries instead of or in addition to
> traditional DDS. SQL, DDL and DML.
>
> *Integrated xSeries adapter (IXA) allows the iSeries to centrally manage
> multiple physically attached Win 2000 xSeries servers. Will provide
> the example and URL describing the company recently featured using
> this technology and their benefits.
>
> *Wireless, pervasive computing is supported for future applications.
> Will provide the profile and URL of the
> Venetian Hotel project in Vegas where guests may check in & out and keys
> printed(?) anywhere across their large property with Palms connecting to
> an
> iSeries. (?DB2 Everywhere or DB2 Anyplace or something similar?)
>
> *With iNotes(?) supports MS Outlook and web browsers as clients to Lotus
> Notes/Domino email (wireless also). Provide benchmarks where recently
> over 100,000 concurrent users were supported running Notes on an
> iSeries. Also, provide the FAA story and URL where they got fed up w/NT
> instability and rebooting every night & decided to replace many NT
> servers with 1 iSeries.
>
> *Supports Java and beats Sun in performance - provide benchmarks.
>
> *Now supports Linux. Provide info on recent Linux awards.
>
> *Supports Unix w/PASE.
>
> *Now supports logical partitioning (LPAR) centrally managed by
> OS/400(?).
>
> *Lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) despite higher initial costs -
> provide excerpts and URL to results of the recent TCO study.
>
> *Now has GUI, Operations Navigator for example. Existing applications
> may be modernized with relatively small amount of effort.
>
> *Has integrated web server - Apache and IBM HTTP server. Also optional
> Tomcat applet server?? Provide a list of web sites powered by iSeries.
>
> *Mention Websphere, its uses and the awards it's won.
>
> *Compilers and IDE (CODE/400) are now included with the OS (verify?).
>
> *Long history of reliability, since '88 (and before w/34, 38). Provide
> info & URL on recent award from resellers as best midrange server (3yrs
> in a row) (hp was second, Compaq was last). Provide uptime % info and
> stories of boxes that haven't been IPLed in years.
>
> *New technology, despite it's longevity and despite misinformation
> within and outside the industry that see the box as green-screen only
> and old
> technology. RISC, early 64-bit, SOI (silicon on insulated...? copper?),
> Regatta Power4?, High Speed Link (HSL), gigabit I/O, more?.
>
> *Many large, well-known corporations depend on the iSeries. List some
> examples. Maybe % of Fortune 500 companies.
>
> *Maybe mention that iSeries revenue was up in all geographic areas
> according to IBM's 3rd Qtr earnings announcement just released.
>
> *Security - OS/400 advantages. Low virus risk.
>
> *Many applications exist for the platform.
>
> *Maybe mention how Microsoft uses (through outsourcing) AS/400s for
> distribution(?) (if that's still true).
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