Re: NT vs AS/400

> Nathan, this is something that we're unlikely to agree upon
> because the basis of the AS/400 argument is that it's the only
> stable computing platform to run a business on. And my
> personal experience proves otherwise to me.

I believe your success says more about your technical and management skill
than the merits of Microsoft technologies.

> I do believe that it is the best platform available from a
> technical perspective, and given my druthers, I'd like to
> see it take over the computing world! But, and this is a
> BIG BUT, I'm not willing to pay $4000 for a $300 hard
> drive just because I like the platform.

You've got my vote here.  This is a serious problem, particularly for small
business, and small divisions of otherwise large organizations.  I don't
understand what Rochester is thinking by giving up so much ground to NT and
Linux in these significant markets.

> However, they only cost a fraction of what IBM wants
> for their cash cow, so many companies are saying
> "you know what, they're robust enough".

A person only needs to track reports of Win-Tel, and Linux server sales to
know that is true.  The same reports have been showing declining iSeries
market share.  It makes one wonder what Rochester is thinking.

> That 270 that you're talking about, when configured with
> 32GB of Non-RAID DASD, 1GB of RAM, and a tape drive,
> costs almost $30K. And for that money, I can't run my Win32
> apps on it, or my 5250 (IA feature adds $77K), or virtually
> any other non-AS/400 application out there that uses a database...

True.  But you do get a system that can host a complex database, and provide
high performance for all the TCP/IP and Host servers, and enables you to
develop and/or deploy a complex mix of Web applications, and requires less
systems management.  I'm just saying that it's a step in the right
direction.  The next step is partly up to people like me - to provide
applications to help you manage your business at a price that makes sense.

You've successfully pointed out a few iSeries handicaps, John.  But do you
see any bright spots in iSeries future?  What is iSeries correctly
positioned for in the market?

Thanks,

Nathan.


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