Re: IBM technical conference (was Re: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO BRING NEWCUSTOMERS TO THE ISERIES?)

If you are part of the crowd that thinks running RPGIII is fine, and have no
interest in
advanced, integrated applications, or portability between hardware
platforms,
then the conference in not for you.
I started this part of the thread with an answer as to "what IBM is doing
to bring more customers to the platform". The answer is that one thing they
are doing
is hosting a developers conference to show the new features to not only
iSeries
developers, but also z and pSeries. IBM is promoting the idea to port your
zSeries
or pSeries app to the iSeries, or just develop on the iSeries. And with more
ISVs
(independent software vendors) writing more code for iSeries, we will see
more
customers on the platform. IBM Partnerworld is for ISVs and Business
Partners of all
IBM platforms.
Because as you stated, " To *support* iSeries in 2004, all one needs to do
is code RPG-III"
does nothing to bring new customers to the box, and is a major reason
iSeries
sales are slipping. Many in the current base are going nowhere with their
applications.
An upgrade every 5 years is not going to keep this platform going.
jim

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "G Armour" <garmour400m@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Midrange Systems Technical Discussion" <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 4:10 PM
Subject: IBM technical conference (was Re: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO BRING
NEWCUSTOMERS TO THE ISERIES?)


> I am confused by this.  Is this conference just a pow-wow for upcoming
> product announcements, geared toward tech-heads?  Who is the target
> audience for this conference?  It can't be the programmer ranks; it's hard
> enough to get to COMMON or any of the other tech conferences that bestow
> knowledge on *current* products.  Why wouldn't I rather just read the
> announcements from the comfort of my cubicle now and catch the hands-on
> training once it hits the street a year or two from now?
>
> Even the major package developers, what is their interest?  (When they
> can't even seem to invest in upgrading their code to RPG-IV, let alone
> ILE.)  Our shop supports clients that use a package that is pure RPG-III,
> and some of them have to be dragged kicking and screaming to upgrade off a
> release that IBM no longer supports.
>
> > If you are an Application Developer looking to learn how to enable or
> > enhance your products to support iSeries in 2004, you will find this
> > conference to be extremely valuable.
>
> To *support* iSeries in 2004, all one needs to do is code RPG-III.
>
> It's not that I don't think that upcoming release and hardware won't be
> worthy, but I am hard pressed to see the value of this conference for most
> shops.
>
> I remember way back when IBM used to do local road shows to announce new
> releases.  Do they even do that anymore?
>
> Just really curious,
> GA
>
> --- Jim Franz <franz400@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > I've been asked for a link to the IBM conference I previously mentioned.
> > Unfortunately the emails from IBM have no link, and this conference is
> > not posted on their web site.
> > So here is the entire email ad - anyone know about this??
> > Anyone at IBM who can help us?
> >
> > <quote>
> > Dear member of PartnerWorld for Developers,
> > Thank you for the great response we have been receiving for the upcoming
> > IBM eServer iSeries Technical Conference scheduled for January 12 - 14,
> > 2004.
> >  Based upon the responses to date, a clarification of the objectives and
> > intended audience for this Conference is appropriate.  With all the many
> > education offerings from which to choose, we want to ensure that you
> > receive maximum return on your participation.
> > This conference is designed for the experienced iSeries Application
> > Developer and the IBM eServer pSeries or IBM eServer zSeries independent
> > software vendor (ISV) who is interested in learning more about
> developing
> > solutions for iSeries.  The objective is to enable these ISVs to develop
> > plans for enhancing their products in 2004.  The varied agenda will
> > provide
> > information to guide enablement of applications utilizing the following
> > environments:
> > - Business and technical aspects of the next release of OS/400
> > - IBM WebSphere, Lotus, and Linux products
> > - The Developer's Roadmap
> >  If you are an Application Developer looking to learn how to enable or
> > enhance your products to support iSeries in 2004, you will find this
> > conference to be extremely valuable.  We look forward to seeing you and
> > promise a warm Rochester welcome.
>
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