IBM User Group Roundup

Curious about the many user groups and what they’re up to? Check out the following websites to get a sampling of events and networking opportunities.

Global User Groups

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COMMON North America
common.org/

COMMON is the world’s largest users group of midrange IBM and IBM-compatible technology. The organization comprises more than 4,000 individual and corporate members. They represent more than 22,000 IT professionals involved with the IBM Power Systems* (IBM i, AIX*, Linux*) and related solutions.

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iSUC – Japan
uken.or.jp/isuc/common/index_e.html

The Japanese sister group of COMMON, iSUC is a group designed for IT skill development and information exchange of users, for users, and by users. Volunteers of IBM Japan Users Association member companies run the group.

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COMMON Europe
comeur.org/comeur/main/index.php

Part of the broader COMMON International group, which includes North America, COMMON Europe encompasses 16 member countries, ranging from Austria and Belgium to Sweden and Switzerland.

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LUG (Large User Group)
the-lug.com/

LUG includes more than 100 large global companies who have a significant investment in IBM i. Member companies are active in many industries, such as finance, manufacturing, insurance and retail.

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Local User Groups in North America

Just a few of the active user groups in the United States include:

1. Fairfield Application Systems Users Group (FASUG), Wilton, Connecticut fasug.org
2. Gateway/400 Group, St. Louis gateway400.org
3. IBM Midrange User Group (IMUG), Nashville, Tennessee imugtn.org
4. Long Island System Users Group (LISUG), Syosset, New York lisug.org
5. Mid-Atlantic Group of IBM i Collaborators (MAGiC), Virginia Beach, Virginia magic-ug.org
6. Midrange Users Group of Western New York (MUGWNY), Buffalo, New York http://mugwny.org
7. New England Users’ Group (NEMUG), North Attleboro, Massachusetts nemug.com
8. New Hampshire Midrange User Group (NHMUG), Manchester, New Hampshire nhmug.org
9. NorthEastern Systems Technology Users Group (NESTU), West Caldwell, New Jersey nestu.memberlodge.org
10. Northeast User Groups Conference (NEUGC), Framingham, Massachusetts neugc.org/home.html
11. The OMNI User, Oak Brook, Illinois omniuser.org
12. Orange County Educational Advancement Network (OCEAN), Costa Mesa, California ocean400.org
13. Southeast Michigan iSeries User Group (SEMIUG), Rochester, Michigan semiug.org
14. STATUS, Fort Wayne, Indiana statususer.org
15. Toronto Users Group for Power Systems (TUG), Toronto tug.ca
16. Twin Cities IBM Power Systems User Group (QUSER), St. Paul, Minnesota quser.org
17. Vermont Midrange User Group (VTMUG), Burlington, Vermont vtmug.org/
18. West Michigan IBM i User Groups (WMSUG), Grand Rapids, Michigan wmsug.net
19. Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Organization, Elm Grove, Wisconsin wmcpa.org

Profiles of 18 North American User Groups

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User groups abound across North America. Listed here are some of the most active across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit ibmsystemsmag.com. If you are part of an active group and don’t see yours listed here, email [email protected] and your group’s information can be added to the website.

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1. Fairfield Application Systems Users Group (FASUG),
Wilton, Connecticut // fasug.org
FASUG is a nonprofit organization whose principle objective is to advance the effective use of IBM Power Systems* computers through the free interchange and gathering of information about these computers and techniques for their use. The group meets monthly for an open interchange during the registration hour, buffet dinner and a presentation by a guest speaker. The registration hour and dinner provide the members with an opportunity to network and discuss relevant issues.

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2. Gateway/400 Group,
St. Louis // gateway400.org
The Gateway/400 Group is made up of companies in the St. Louis metropolitan area who are users of IBM i. It keeps members current with the latest developments, tools and trends for Power Systems and IBM i. The Gateway/400 Group is a great opportunity to share experience and ideas with other IBM i professionals in the area. The group holds monthly luncheon meetings in September through May, with a featured after-lunch session on hot topics presented by special guest speakers, IBMers or members of the group. In addition, the group occasionally has all-day sessions covering core topics about Java*, RPG and other areas of special interest.

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3. IBM Midrange User Group (IMUG),
Nashville, Tennessee // imugtn.org
IMUG supports and promotes members’ professional success. With an emphasis on technical and management education for IBM Power Systems, IMUG sessions and seminars cover such topics as security and disaster planning. IMUG membership entitles users to networking and support with industry leaders, full access to the IMUG website, COMMON membership and discounts, superior professional development and contact with vendors specializing in IBM midrange computing.

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4. Long Island System Users Group (LISUG),
Syosset, New York // lisug.org
LISUG is dedicated to the education of system professionals in Long Island, New York, that utilize Power Systems running IBM i. LISUG offers a wide variety of benefits, including discounted monthly meeting fees, an annual pre-pay option, COMMON membership, free and discounted COMMON learning courses and discounted fees to LISUG special events. Meetings are held monthly (with the exception of June, July and August). The meeting format consists of a pre-meeting followed by a cocktail hour, which is then followed by dinner and the main presentation. The format changes for May, when the group typically holds a May Education Day.

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5. Mid-Atlantic Group of IBM i Collaborators (MAGiC),
Virginia Beach, Virginia // magic-ug.org
MAGiC supports the IBM i user community, including IT professionals and independent software developers and vendors, within the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region and anywhere else on the planet. We deliver in-person and online peer networking, continuing education, trend watch and analysis and more. Through high-quality conferences, industry-leading speakers, live and downloadable online labs and other cool perks, members gain valuable insights and training designed to help us shift our thinking and approaches from reactive to proactive, from status quo to visionary, from keeping up with the industry to leading from within it. We stay apprised of relevant trends and forecasts, leading-edge tools and procedures, IBM i advancements and more. Members also receive access to an IBM i for ongoing training and practice.

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6. Midrange Users Group of Western New York (MUGWNY), 
Buffalo, New York // http://mugwny.org
MUGWNY is a nonprofit organization in the Buffalo, New York area that represents analysts, managers and programmers working together in the IT field on mid-range computers. The organization sponsors a dinner meeting on the fourth Thursday of most months September thru June. Members are always welcome to contribute to the newsletter or any committee of their choosing. MUGWNY elects its board of directors during its May meeting with terms beginning in September. 

7. New England Users’ Group (NEMUG),

North Attleboro, Massachusetts // nemug.com
NEMUG is a nonprofit organization whose growth and development keeps pace with the business computers introduced and marketed by IBM. The group currently has over 200 companies using a variety of Power Systems running IBM i on the mailing list with an active membership of more than 30 companies participating in the monthly meetings. NEMUG’s meetings provide the opportunity to meet socially and technically with other data-processing professionals and systems users. In the past, these meetings have dealt with several areas of interest, including programming, data communications, operations, systems concepts, management topics and techniques, conversions and more.

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8. New Hampshire Midrange User Group (NHMUG),
Manchester, New Hampshire // nhmug.org
NHMUG is a nonprofit organization working to grow and strengthen the IBM i community. The group provides a vehicle for the exchange of information relating to IBM midrange computers for the common good of the membership. NHMUG draws on the most knowledgeable and talented professionals from companies and, if necessary, professionals from outside of its membership to address topics of consideration. The group meets several times from September to June, but does not meet during the month that the Northeast User Groups Conference is scheduled. NHMUG serves New Hampshire and some of the surrounding areas of Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts, and actively participates in the Northeast User Groups Conference, which is held each spring in Framingham, Massachusetts.

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9. NorthEastern Systems Technology Users Group (NESTU),
West Caldwell, New Jersey // nestu.memberlodge.org
NESTU is a nonprofit corporation in New Jersey. It has hosted hundreds of events, and has become one of the largest IBM i technical users groups in the country. NESTU hosts dinner meetings, which offer an opportunity to interact with other system professionals. Dinner is followed by a presentation given by an industry expert. NESTU attracts some of the industry’s top speakers, including folks from IBM’s Rochester, Minnesota, and Toronto laboratories. Attendees often stay after the presentation to quiz the people that are developing the latest hardware and software technologies.

10. Northeast User Groups Conference (NEUGC),
Framingham, Massachusetts // neugc.org/home.html
The user groups of the Northeast have joined together to host a yearly IBM Power Systems technical conference in Framingham, Massachusetts. The conference provides various speakers and subject matter for the Power Systems community. Annual conferences are held in early spring, and consist of approximately 100 sessions, 20 speakers (from both IBM and the Power Systems community), hundreds of attendees and over 20 vendor sponsors. The conference covers a variety of technical subjects and may include seminars, workshops and hands-on labs. The user groups of the NEUGC are: FASUG NEMUG, Maine Midrange Users Group (MEMUG), New England Systems Inc. (NES), NHMUG and VTMUG.

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11. The Omni User,
Oak Brook, Illinois // omniuser.org
The Omni User is Chicagoland's largest and oldest association of computer users. It specializes in the IBM midrange platform and associated computing devices including LANs serviced by the midrange platform, remote computing equipment and peripherals. Omni's dinner meeting is held monthly to share educational and practical experiences. It mails a monthly newsletter to more than 1,100 computer professionals based in and around Chicago. Membership is open to anyone with an occupational interest in the IBM i. The Omni User is a technical organization formed for the purpose of exchanging technical information to assist its employers and clientele in improving the use of computing and information systems, and advancing overall knowledge of information systems.

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12. Orange County Educational Advancement Network, (OCEAN),
Costa Mesa, California // ocean400.org
OCEAN's primary mission is to serve as an affordable educational resource for individuals and companies working with the IBM Power Systems platform. Educational sessions are presented through guest speakers at the group's monthly meetings, special events and at the annual IBM i Technical Conference and Vendor Solutions Expo. Additionally, OCEAN provides a relaxed environment for networking between members of the IBM i and Power Systems communities within the Orange County and broader Southern California region. OCEAN also meets monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month from January through November.

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13. Southeast Michigan iSeries User Group (SEMIUG),
Rochester, Michigan // semiug.org
SEMIUG is nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a forum for area IBM i users to gain new skills, keep informed of upcoming changes of this dynamic platform and to network with other IBM i professionals. The group meets monthly from September through June (excluding December). Many of SEMIUG’s speakers are IBM i experts that have a vast wealth of knowledge to share. Additionally, the organization utilizes the talents of its membership whenever possible.

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14. STATUS,
Fort Wayne, Indiana // statususer.org
STATUS is an IBM i user group dedicated to providing education, support and community for companies and individuals alike. Meetings consist of a gathering/networking time, dinner or continental breakfast and a speaker. Dinner meetings are typically held during September, November, January, March, April and May, while breakfast meetings are held in October and February. STATUS speaking topics include system administration, development, tools and utilities.

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15. Toronto Users Group for Power Systems (TUG),
Toronto // tug.ca
TUG provides a professional forum for the presentation and exchange of ideas that pertain to IBM midrange computers (mainly Power Systems running IBM i) and related subjects for users, from the technical, management and end-user perspectives. Meetings are usually scheduled for January, March, May, September and November. Admission is free to members.

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16. Twin Cities IBM Power Systems User Group (QUSER),
St. Paul, Minnesota // quser.org
The QUSER group provides members with the opportunity to network with peers, share ideas and tips, and become knowledgeable on topics relevant to the IBM i community. QUSER is continually moving forward with a new agenda structure and support from various groups. Additional support is provided by IBM, COMMON and corporate sponsors, all are committed to the success of the QUSER group by providing guest speakers, contributing education funding, and providing discounts to attend popular conferences such as COMMON.

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17. Vermont Midrange User Group (VTMUG),
Burlington, Vermont // vtmug.org/
The Vermont Midrange User Group (VTMUG) was formed in April 1992 and provides IBM i educational information and related presentations at a low price. VTMUG is affiliated with NEUGC, which runs a two-and-a-half-day conference each spring in Framingham, Massachusetts. VTMUG is an independent organization that meets regularly to discuss topics related to the IBM i—some are technical, some are management related. IBM presents new product information as soon as it is available. Presenters may be from IBM, other vendors, consultants, or members of the group. Anyone interested in IBM i may attend the meetings, and you do not have to own an IBM i to become a member.

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18. West Michigan IBM i User Groups (WMSUG),
Grand Rapids, Michigan // wmsug.net
WMSUG is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and growing the IBM i community. The group presents timely information to CIOs, directors, managers, analysts and programmers who utilize the IBM i platform in their businesses. Meetings are held from September through May. WMSUG’s board members are highly knowledgeable in their fields, including an IBM liaison, chairperson, program director, webmaster, treasurer and secretary. The group aspires to provide the best support possible to its members in this endeavor.

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19. Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Organization (WMCPA),
Elm Grove, Wisconsin // wmsug.net
WMCPA’s mission is to provide education and training opportunities for midrange professionals, to encourage and promote networking opportunities for member organizations and to share their knowledge and experiences with one another. WMCPA membership is open to any person, company, group or organization with an interest in midrange systems. WMCPA dinner meetings are typically held from September through May, with the exception of March. In March, WMCPA holds its annual spring technical conference, which is a three-day event.