Re: SOA/Web Services ???

Nathan Andelin wrote:

Many of these IBM i to .Net migration interests deflate when the price/performance of the new Power6 processors are considered. And many shops that have already upgraded, are so pleased with the reduced price and extra performance that any interest in a .Net option evaporates altogether. It becomes a pleasure to pursue & develop IBM i centric Web interfaces, when you have the power and capacity of these new servers behind you.

-Nathan.





----- Original Message ----
From: "Wintermute, Sharon" <Sharon.Wintermute@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 7:11:26 AM
Subject: RE: SOA/Web Services ???

Demystify? Egads!!!! Does your CEO realize what he's asking? In order
to create an A vs B comparison on just the software side is an arduous
task.
With all the different modules of BPCS, determining just the software
differences alone will take weeks. Especially if you have custom code
on all this.

Then to add in infrastructure (shudder) and all the time. I would not
want to be in your shoes.



Sharon Wintermute

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Don Cavaiani
Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2009 9:10 AM
To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: SOA/Web Services ???

My CEO would like me to demystify what the Microsoft/Epicor SOA ERP
suite has to offer - especially what's new or different in comparison to
our current System i/BPCS/Lansa for the WEB environment/infrastructure.
Also, what might be the costliest part of completely switching over to
this technology (ball park numbers)?

SOA doesn't have anything to do with .NET. AFAIK, it's platform
agnostic, more a philosophy than actual software. Isn't the salient
feature the enterprise bus? Or is that a further refinement? You could
build an enterprise bus on the i, or on Sun's GlassFish, bringing it on
line a piece at a time while still seeing your family occasionally. The
consumer wouldn't know the difference, and you wouldn't need to
implement a new ERP. You're talking easily a year of concentrated effort
with a new ERP. Maybe longer if you'd rather it were successful.
Microsoft will come in and pitch for a sale in the 6-7 figure range.
Accumulate a list of things you know are unique at your site, and see
what they say. They also have a facility where you can configure the
software as a proof of concept, and they provide mentoring with people
who really know what's happening. I recommend using that capability.
Don't believe the sales weasel's "yeah, we can do that, no problem."