Re: IBM i hosting "in the cloud"

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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