Re: iSeries/Developers Edition -- MIDRANGE-NONTECH

FWIW,
I would probably buy one, and I know several other developers that probably
would, too...

Steve Landess
Austin, Texas
(512) 423-0935

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Nelson" <pnelson@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Non-Technical Discussion about the AS400 / iSeries"
<midrange-nontech@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Anne Lucas" <alucas@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2003 8:22 AM
Subject: Re: iSeries/Developers Edition


> A number of years ago, IBM engineers did build a laptop/400. The problem
was
> that marketing decided that no one would buy it.
>
> Anne, how about forwarding this gentleman's comments to Malcolm?
>
> Paul Nelson
> Arbor Solutions, Inc.
> 708-670-6978 Cell
> 708-923-7354 Home
> pnelson@xxxxxxxxxx
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Daly" <tdaly_2002@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <midrange-nontech@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2003 1:03 AM
> Subject: RE: iSeries/Developers Edition
>
>
> >
> > In a recent magazine article about iSeries marketing
> > an IBMer was explaining how the "pixie dust" campaign
> > was winding down and a new campaign is about to be
> > launched.  In this new campaign they had looked at the
> > profile of the typical iSeries customer and had
> > decided to target similar businesses using competing
> > platforms.  This marketing person whose name I forget
> > - and it's irrelevant - was excited and damn proud of
> > this new campaign.  They were really going to go after
> > the competition.  The result?  This new campaign will
> > target HP customers.  That's right, HPUX.
> >
> > This is exactly off target.
> >
> > The competition is Wintel, and their eating our lunch.
> >  And breakfast.  And dinner.
> >
> > Now I'm not going to bore you with some rant about how
> > great the iSeries is and how unreliable/insecure
> > Windows is.  I'm sure we're all on the same page here.
> >  I don't want to go on about IBM's marketing.  I do
> > want to suggest some positive ideas though.  Well,
> > just one thing actually.
> >
> > I'm sure many on this list face a situation similar to
> > this... your employer is moving to NT and little if
> > anything is being planned for the iSeries.  Perception
> > has become reality... management and vendors see a
> > shrinking market therefore the market has been and is
> > shrinking... slowly but surely.  Another depressing
> > indicator is the fact that the job market is dead,
> > unless you want to help someone move to NT.  This is
> > too bad because there's alot of exciting new stuff
> > happening on the box... in fact it's better than ever
> > and better than the competition!  Yet the shrinking
> > trend continues.
> >
> > A post last week or so spoke about Code/400 and how
> > IBM had targeted "the guy on the train" with that
> > product.  A similar campaign is needed now.
> >
> > We're all that "guy on the train".  The people on this
> > list are the ones who can breathe life into the
> > iSeries market.  We the fans, the true believers, who
> > know what the machine is about and see the potential.
> > It's down to us.  People outside the iSeries market
> > aren't going to do it.  And too many brain numb
> > managers want MS because "it's standard", "open", "not
> > legacy" etc. ad nauseum.  We are the one who will
> > develop the next generation of apps for the iSeries.
> >
> > But we need some help.
> >
> > IBM is currently promoting a "$9,999" iSeries.  But to
> > be useful, double that price.  This is not enough
> > though.  Nowhere near enough.  What I'm going to
> > suggest may seem shocking, especially to IBM, but I
> > believe that unless something shocking is done the
> > iSeries niche will continue to shrink.
> >
> > So what does the guy on the train need to develop apps
> > these days?  It's more than WSDc, the modern day
> > "Code/400" if you will.
> >
> > A quick flip through the latest Dell junk mail reveals
> > a 2.4 GHZ 30GB Windows laptop for about $1,100.  Not a
> > bad start.  Throw in MySQL, Tomcat, and your favorite
> > IDE and you're a good ways there.
> >
> > But what if the guy (or gal!) wants to develop for the
> > iSeries?  What if our train passenger is eager to
> > follow IBM's direction: WSDc, WAS and so forth to
> > develop the next generation of iSeries/400 apps?
> > Fully GUI with a browser or java app interface.  What
> > is there for our enthusiastic entrepreneur?  They have
> > to have to wait till they get home and then they can
> > work on their $20K+ box... if they're lucky enough to
> > afford one.
> >
> > In other words, many potential developers are largely
> > locked out.
> >
> > But let's say you're fortunate enough to have an
> > iSeries at home and you've worked 24/7 getting your
> > app ready.  Finally it's time to go to the prospect
> > and make them a customer.  Your first sale.  Good luck
> > hauling along your iSeries for the demo!  And who has
> > a T1 line at home to make demo-ing your app over the
> > internet truly a viable option?  And even though the
> > iSeries is reliable there's nothing like having the
> > machine nearby in case of problems.
> >
> > Now for the shock.  What's needed is a full blown
> > laptop iSeries capable of running Websphere and
> > serving maybe half a dozen users as well as running
> > Windows for the WSDc software.  A tall order.  But it
> > gets taller.  This must be out the door ready to run
> > for under $15K, $10K preferably.
> >
> > This price point is within reach.  Portability means I
> > can bring my iSeries on the plane to the customer and
> > show them my product in their office.  If I bring a
> > hub with me then everyone at the conference table can
> > clip their laptops into a little impromptu network
> > serving up my app.
> >
> > Technical hurdles?  Sure.  But I have faith in IBM.
> > >From basic research to end product they have
> > consistently and repeatedly turned out superior
> > products.  I truly think they do a great job and are
> > matchless.  And I'm sure you remember the end result
> > of this research and some of these great, or even
> > revolutionary, products: the IBM PC, Microchannel,
> > OS/2.  Marketing has dropped the ball on all of these
> > however.  Is the iSeries to be added to the list?  If
> > getting excited over targeting HPUX is an
> > indication... maybe.  Quite likely even.
> >
> > Now this would be an awesome deal for we developers,
> > no question about it!!!  What's in it for IBM?
> > Consider it seeding the market.  Small companies -
> > like our rail riding entrepreneur - or you, or me -
> > become big companies.  Maybe IBM takes a loss on these
> > machines.  Maybe even a big loss.  But it's worth it
> > because by having more developers, more apps, and most
> > of all _new_ apps, IBM would inject vitality into the
> > iSeries market.  Clearly in their interest.  WSDc &
> > Websphere usher in a new generation of technology.
> > New apps need to be developed to take advantage of
> > this new technology.
> >
> > Additionally, software developed on the
> > iSeries/Developer Edition would be sold to a customer
> > who either has a bigger iSeries - OR - WHO IS NEW TO
> > THE ISERIES.  Either way, apps drive hardware sales.
> >
> > This may require a radical shift in the mind set of
> > IBM marketing.  Compare and contrast IBM's ads which
> > feature corporate clones sitting around the boardroom,
> > with MS ads... you know the ones with the line
> > drawings showing a semi-beat building becoming a nice
> > sidewalk cafe and all the while Microsoft was there to
> > help you grow and realize the successful business
> > you're working and striving for.  IBM's ads are for
> > the established (older) business and MS ads are for
> > the new (younger) business.
> >
> > Small companies become big companies, and they'll
> > stick with the technology they've grown up with.
> >
> > Shocking pricing of awesome technology.  Call it the
> > shock and awe campaign, call it the iSeries/Developer
> > Edition, call it what you will.  But a jolt is needed
> > to get this market back to life.
> >
> > If such a awesome package is brought to market it
> > would be a boon for developers.  It would help IBM
> > sell more hardware.  It will also shock the
> > competition - in fact it will scare the hell out them!
> >
> >
> > It might even bring NEW developers to the platform.
> > Wouldn't that be refreshing - people coming to the
> > platform instead of abandoning it!
> >
> > Your employer may not see the potential of the
> > iSeries, but you dear list reader probably do.  You
> > are the person IBM must target.  A vital community of
> > developers is in IBM's interest.  You need to let IBM
> > know you're out there ready to go.  Ready to develop
> > new apps using new technology.  But we just need some
> > help.
> >
> >
> > Thanks for reading this late night ramble.  What are
> > your thoughts?  What do you think about a laptop
> > iSeries/Developers Edition?  Would you buy one?
> >
> >
> > Tom Daly   (speaking only for myself)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
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> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
>
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