Re: IBM i hosting "in the cloud"

[Mike <koldark@xxxxxxxxx>]

As I think about this, look at how much hosted Exchange costs. Add in hosted
servers (or virtual servers) at a reputable hosting company (similar to
Rackspace). That would be roughly what a startup would be willing to pay for
such a service. I am guessing in the 100-300 range for a small server.

Getting IBM to license accordingly is the tough part.

--
Mike Wills
http://mikewills.info
P: (507) 933-0880 | Skype: koldark


On Wed, May 12, 2010 at 10:59 AM, Bruce McDougald <
bruce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I think the toughest part in generating interest for this would be figuring
> out how to offer that service and make money doing so.  We're talking about
> this being relatively cheap, right?  What's cheap?  $100/month, $250,
> $1000?
> I'd think unless it's around $100 - $200/month, it starts to approach
> existing offerings, which we've already said are unworkable.
>
> Let me know if I'm missing something obvious here, but to offer it cheaply
> enough to work for the 1 - 3 person startups, a company would have to have
> a
> large amount of initial customers to avoid losing money right out of the
> gate, right?
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jon Paris
> Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:35 AM
> To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: IBM i hosting "in the cloud"
>
> My requirements are similar to that stated by others here. I have need
> of a reliable, _current_, system to develop education, run classes and
> also to run both my own business and that of System i Developer. I
> would be more than happy to invest in any sensible cloud-based
> solution that met my needs. I keep hoping that IBM, who let's face it
> are in the best position and should have a vested interest, will offer
> something but so far nothing.
>
> Unlike Aaron the ISV route is not an option for me unless I am
> prepared to "fake" having a product - which at this time I am not
> prepared to do.
>
> I have tried working with IBM over the years via a number of avenues:
> The Business Partner program - which removed us from the membership
> level that allows discounted hardware purchase because we don't sell
> hardware; The ISV program which as stated above requires you be
> developing a software product; The Education Partner program - which
> has so many silly rules and enforced pricing restrictions that it
> would cost me money to run classes; and many other avenues that have
> been explored over the years.
>
> Education and Open Source software, both of which are vital to the IBM
> i community just don't have a place on IBM's radar it seems. If
> currency wasn't important I could purchase a used machine - but since
> many (most?) of those no longer seem to carry their license keys even
> that avenue is closing.
>
> There really are days when becoming a Windows or Unix developer sounds
> like a really good idea. Quick someone - slap me before I become
> completely incoherent!
>
>
> Jon Paris
>
> www.Partner400.com
> www.SystemiDeveloper.com
>
>
>
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