Re: AS/400

[Ken.Slaugh@xxxxxxxxxx]

     I don't understand why you can't run both IBM and Microsoft solutions
in the same IT shop. IMO neither has to replace the other.

     Here at CMI we are deploying applications that use both vendors and
believe our customers would be using both even if that wasn't our approach.

     IBM's AS/400 reputation cannot be matched when it comes to 'up time'.
We appreciate this fact and so do our customers.

     Microsoft products and Intel based hardware is much easier to come by.
It's not going away even if IBM creates a new miracle system and calls it a
killer name.

     Unix may be a more stable OS. But until our students and home
computers are using it, it won't dominate. It still has the reputation of
being too technical for the 'common man'. It too may have a place in many
IT shops but ,IMO, it doesn't need to replace everything either.

Ken Slaugh  (707) 795-1512 x118
Chouinard & Myhre, Inc.
AS/400 Professional Administrator/MSE
Client Access Specialist
http://www.cm-inc.com/


                                                                                
                  
                    "William A Pack"                                            
                  
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                    07/28/2001 08:50 PM                                         
                  
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           The AS/400 will eventually die or be absorbed by some UNIX clone
system not
yet in place.  Linux is a stop gap for IBM, a chance to get service dollars
from a free UNIX variant.  IBM is really interested in NT, since they make
a
killing servicing it.  I wonder why I have spent my time working in the 400
segment when the PC cowboys make a killing just setting up NT and
supporting
it, not adding a damn thing to the customer's business.  I guess the whole
idea of custom software is in jeopardy, since we have evolved enough
technology to make off the shelf components within the budgets of even the
smallest companies.  I think that this has been the AS/400's niche, and the
marketplace will no longer bear a single costly system.
           People will buy Wintel and M$ crap in volume before buying a
costly
client/server box from IBM.  As for the 400, who cares about it when you
can
buy a fleet of Wintel boxes that are "fault tolerant" because there are
multiple nodes so that they can fail with a hot backup.  I still think that
IBM wants customers to buy Intel servers running either Linux or NT until
they cannot physically plug any more in, then migrate to the zSeries.  They
make a killing either way.
           As for "legacy" software, I get infuriated when I hear this
term.  Auto
makers do not harp on older cars being "legacy" automobiles.  M$ has no
"legacy" software since the crap they produce has a life cycle of less than
18 months.  What is the problem with businesses running software that works
without change?  If the business grows, let them buy a bigger machine and
run whatever the hell they want to on it.  When there is a business need
for
client/server, or whatever the next paradigm will be, let the customer
decide, not IBM.  The interactive governing by IBM on the iSeries is crap,
and I think that businesses will migrate to another platform instead of
upgrading and paying a fortune to IBM for what they already have.  If you
have to re-write your software, it will done on another platform.  I have
always worked for small companies, less than $100M in revenue.  I know
several that are looking to can the 400 if they have to re-write the apps.
They will run them on NT.


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