RE: Lower End AS/400s

Well to comment on the "state" of the AS/400 (iSeries)
having just gone from a old 620 to a new dual processor
270.

Issue #1

Vendor Greed -- Big box more $$$$ pushes companies to
get less processor than they could really use. This
directly impacts user satisfaction. There is a major
difference in waiting two hours for a batch job to complete
and 2 minutes. Now the interactive penalty magnifies that.
There is a major problem in the cost/benefit of software
on the box.

Issue #2

Cost of development -- the AS/400 was originally meant to
be the "application system". Unfortunately many of the apps
tended to be legacy ones written in horrible Synon or other
patched together System 36 code. Since any RPG product by
default is limited to the AS/400 many companies looked at
the risk reward and developed elsewhere.

Issue #3

Other systems have come a long long way. All systems, properly
managed seem to be about equally reliable in both hardware
and software. Chances are these days new features will be
available first on other platforms then migrated to the
iSeries accompanied by a slew of PTFs.

Issue #4

Choice is good, the iSeries is still a single source solution
prone to the whims of IBM. This makes it similar to Apple in
gaining acceptance in companies that prefer multiple sources
of supply to encourage competition and innovation.

Summary:

Still all in all a great platform! Now if they do away with
the interactive penalty, lower the cost of software and
maintenace, strap on some great, productive development tools
with the assistance of Rational...

Regards

Konrad U
Hoshizaki America, Inc.