The IBM iSeries word from FOSE...

[Don <dr2@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here in DC, we have an annual BIG expo of techno vendors, wares, etc.
It's kinda like the governments COMDEX if you will, it's just better run
and attended than COMDEX.

Dell had a BIG booth and well staffed.

HP had a BIG booth and well staffed...

Apple had a BIG booth and well staffed...

...as did alot of the major vendors....and these booths were BUSY.

IBM's booth, when I finally found it, was one guy sitting on a corner
postage stamp size of space with a little sign attached to a xSeries
cluster server saying "Linux DB2".  When I poped by to see what was going
on, he was complaining that his blade server had been stolen the night
before.  When I asked him about ANY ANY ANY iSeries representation at the
conference, I was told there wasn't any and further"...I don't do
AS/400..."   Frankly, it was safer for me to just walk away.

SO, is it any wonder that people here don't think of iSeries as
contemporary technology?  Is it any wonder that people here are very eager
to buy Dell and HP Servers?

Has ANYONE in Somers reviewed the current sales/marketing model (beyond
radio/TV/Print spots) and seen where it REALLY NEEDS to be improved?

No, you may not book alot of sales at a FOSE type event, BUT you do
get/keep market recognition...something that OS/400 has very little of
anymore.

Is it really any wonder why in our User Group meeting this week I was once
again deluged by people lamenting how hard it is to find work on a
AS400/iSeries/i5/(insert name here) ???

I don't give a damn if you call me a cormudgeon or not!  I'm in the
trenches here and I'm getting lots of calls for help from folks that are
seriousely looking for work....and there's REAL REASONS why there is
none...  Starting with "...I don't do AS/400...."  and the current sales
models.

Don in DC