How Deep Learning Reveals Data Insights
March 1, 2017
The average human brain has more than 80 billion neurons. The common fruit fly’s brain has about 250,000. Early artificial neural networks (ANNs)—computer systems inspired by the human brain—had even fewer neurons than a fruit fly. “If all you can cough up is the intelligence of a fruit fly, you’re not going very far in […]
ArticlesUse Machine Learning to Make Storage Smarter
March 1, 2017
With the goal of helping us learn more about the universe, IBM and the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) are collaborating on the IT roadmap behind the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which will be the largest radio telescope in the world (bit.ly/2iywTpL). As part of this effort, called the DOME project, IBM developed a […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Linux
February 27, 2017
This is the second in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important with a focus on enterprise computing. In this post, I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis of trends with a focus on Linux. According to the Linux Counter*, there are about 89,365,600 Linux users in the world. Linux Computing […]
ArticlesHere’s to the Women in IT!
February 21, 2017
Stacy Benfield wrote this week’s blog about her participation in the Women in IT conference in 2016.
ArticlesTrend Watch: Cloud Computing
February 20, 2017
This is the first in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important, from cloud computing to digital transformation, all with a clear focus on enterprise computing. In this post, I jump into cloud computing and discuss the subject at this point-in-time. Cloud Computing Now Right now, cloud computing is […]
ArticlesIBM Machine Learning for z/OS Announced
February 15, 2017
Organizations wanting to use machine learning to help solve their toughest business questions are challenged by the complexity of the tools involved and the skills needed. Business rules are changing, application developers can’t always keep up and models constantly need to be tuned. To stay ahead of this rapid pace, IBM today announces machine learning […]
ArticlesSPLAT: The Simple Performance Lock Analysis Tool
February 14, 2017
Understanding locking activity and how it affects the performance of databases, applications and the OS itself is an essential part of every AIX specialist’s diagnostic arsenal.
Using Stored Procedures in DB2 Web Query for i: Part 2
February 14, 2017
A stored procedure with multiple result sets can be created in a dashboard using DB2 Web Query for i. Learn how to do more with more complex SQL.
ArticlesFebruary 2017 IBM i Announcements
February 14, 2017
Once again it is announcement time, with IBM i 7.3 Technology Refresh 2 and IBM i 7.2 Technology Refresh 6 being announced.
ArticlesAnnouncing IBM i 7.3 TR2 & 7.2 TR6
February 14, 2017
In his latest blog, Steve Will announces the arrival of IBM i 7.3 Technology Refresh 2 and 7.2 TR6, highlighting key updates.
ArticlesEducation, Certification and Experience
February 13, 2017
This is the last in a multi-part series on the key skills needed for success in enterprise computing. This three-part series is based on information that I gathered and analyzed from job postings from job sites. These postings came from companies looking to hire programmers, programmer/analysts and developers in mainframe computing. Last week, I wrote […]
ArticlesJim Elliott Stays Motivated on the Mainframe
February 13, 2017
Reg Harbeck talks with Jim Elliott. The longtime, now "retired" IBMer explains why today's mainframe is leading edge technology and shares what motivates him to keep working. Listen to the interview via the orange play button or read the transcript below. Reg: Hi, I'm Reg Harbeck and I'm here today with Jim Elliott who is […]
ArticlesAnalyzing System Dumps
February 8, 2017
A system dump indicates a severe problem with an AIX system. System dumps usually halt the system, necessitating a reboot.
ArticlesApplication Administration with Access Client Solutions
February 8, 2017
Access Client Solutions (ACS) has had the ability to restrict the usage of specific functions by modifying the AcsConfig.properties file.
ArticlesThe Important Role of Effective Skills
February 6, 2017
This is the second in a multi-part series on the key skills needed for success in enterprise computing. This brief series is based on information that I gathered and analyzed from job postings from companies looking to hire programmers, programmer/analysts and developers for jobs in mainframe computing. Last week, I wrote about a collection of […]
ArticlesVirtualization’s Past Helps Explain Its Current Importance
February 6, 2017
With VM celebrating 45 years as an IBM product, it’s a good time to look at the history of virtualization technology. Everyone seems to want to take credit for something IBM invented and brought to maturity about 50 years ago. In this two part article, we will chronical the key milestones in the development of […]
ArticlesPillars to Developing A New Generation of Smarter Cities
February 6, 2017
Smart Cities Phase 1 The first phase of smart cities initiatives, aka Smart Cities 1.0, focused on cities working with their technology partners to develop pilot programs to test solutions that address specific problems and understand a solution’s benefits. The purpose was to develop a deeper understanding of technology trends and the concept of an […]
ArticlesApplication Administration with Navigator for i
February 2, 2017
When using Application Administration to control access to Navigator tasks, you create customizations which restrict some users from seeing certain tasks
ArticlesSQL Stored Procedure Tutorial
February 1, 2017
How to use a SQL stored procedure for data retrieval to feed a DB2 Web Query for i dashboard document.
ArticlesTokenized Encryption: Connecting Docs
February 1, 2017
This third and final article on documentation examines the information necessary to support a cryptographic interface oriented to CICS Transaction Server and MVS. While the focus is on mainframe environments, the principles and concepts apply to all IT systems. Likewise, except for specific programming languages and software, this information applies to all platforms. Function […]
ArticlesIBM Global Financing Designs Customized Solutions for Technology Investments
February 1, 2017
In the quest to harness the power of big data and analytics, organizations across all sectors face a similar challenge: how to keep pace with evolving IT needs without breaking the bank. Increasingly, CIOs and CFOs work together to get the job done. According to a study by Ernst & Young (bit.ly/29gOFW9), 61 percent of […]
ArticlesIBM i Open Source Directions
January 30, 2017
Steve Will discusses the growing importance of open source technologies on the IBM i platform.
ArticlesWhat Skillset Is Needed for Enterprise Systems Success?
January 30, 2017
This is the first in a multi-part series on the key skills needed for success in enterprise computing. As research for this post and the ones to follow, I have gathered and analyzed information from job postings from companies looking to hire programmers, programmer/analysts and developers for jobs in mainframe computing. All Job Postings […]
ArticlesOptical Containers
January 18, 2017
With 7.2 TR5 and 7.3 TR1 enhancements, you can easily store an optical image catalog on flash or RDX media.
ArticlesIBM i Future: 2017 Update
January 16, 2017
One of the most common questions people ask Steve Will is “What’s the future for IBM i?” In this article, he answers that question.