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Simple and Lasting Ideas on Managing Information Systems
May 22, 2017
Years ago, when I was a student I was assigned a textbook. It was an introduction to Business Computer Systems. The author’s—David M. Kroenke—books were (and still are) used in undergraduate computer information systems and master’s level business courses in management information systems. This post is about something that I learned from that author that […]
ArticlesIBM i Thoughts: COMMON Conference
May 20, 2017
Steve Will reflects on the 2017 COMMON conference.
ArticlesSlicing Time: Curing the Context Switch in AIX
May 17, 2017
Now that we’ve laid a solid groundwork for performance analysis, I’ll show you how to tune your systems based on information you’ve gleaned from your diagnostic data.
ArticlesNatural Alignments of Styles and Methods
May 15, 2017
This is the last post in a brief series on how applications are developed, with a focus on development methods and architectural styles. There’s a natural alignment between certain methods and styles—an alignment that can be found between waterfall and monolithic applications, along with agile and microservices. These are just two examples. I explore these […]
ArticlesHolden O’Neal on How Jiujitsu Affected His Life as a Mainframer
May 15, 2017
Reg Harbeck talks with Holden O’Neal about what made his journey to the mainframe, his employer and SHARE so successful, focusing specifically on Jiujitsu and the life skills it taught him. 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 […]
ArticlesBenefit From Non-Disruptive Modernization With IBM API Connect
May 15, 2017
This is the third article in a series about modernization of enterprise applications. The first article, Modernize Legacy Systems to Enable Full Potential, gives an overview of legacy systems, modernization tactics, benefits, strategies, risk and cost as well as challenges and areas of focus like updating the user interface and data modernization. The second article, […]
ArticlesRPG Fundamentals: Arrays
May 9, 2017
RPG has changed so much over the years that, increasingly, we find our students are unaware of many of the basic tools available to them. One is array processing.
ArticlesCOMMON Americas Advisory Council (CAAC) and RFEs
May 3, 2017
Dawn May highlights several IBM i client advisory councils.
ArticlesDevelopment Methods and Architectural Styles
May 1, 2017
This is the first in a series on how applications are developed, with a focus on development methods and architectural styles that are gaining in significance. Methods aren’t the same as styles and some pairings work well together. This discussion starts with a bit of history. Development Methods or Philosophies Computer applications have been developed […]
ArticlesTokenized Encryption: The Project Nexus
May 1, 2017
The project generating this article largely involves implementation of a mainframe-based cryptographic interface oriented primarily to CICS Transaction Server, COBOL and MVS. However, these principles and concepts apply to all IT platforms. In fact, the project plan includes tasks and activities involved in converting the client’s websites using different programming languages and software to enable […]
ArticlesBlockchain Is Set to Streamline Markets and Transform Industries
May 1, 2017
Business is built on trust. The seller needs to trust the buyer to pay for goods. The buyer needs to trust that the seller will deliver those goods, and that they have the right to sell them to begin with. Financial institutions must trust one another to settle transactions. Other examples abound. To create an […]
ArticlesBlockchain Works With Systems of Record to Integrate Data
May 1, 2017
Distributed ledger technology blockchain links with existing systems of record (SOR) application servers and data managers. They share information and assets securely and immutably between external parties. It can be used to track the lifecycle of a car, a financial transaction or sources of food ingredients. (Learn more about how various industries are using the […]
ArticlesIBM Researchers Use Machine Learning to Make Storage Smarter
May 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 […]
ArticlesThe Power of User Groups
May 1, 2017
User groups have been an integral part of the IBM Power Systems* community for many years, from the Technical Collaboration Council to the Large User Group (the-lug.com). IBM i Offering Manager Alison Butterill often says that “user groups are a hidden gem of IBM i.” This true statement can be extended to AIX* and Linux* […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Digital Business
April 24, 2017
This is the last post in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important, specifically in enterprise computing. I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis with a focus on digital business and how new systems of engagement (e.g., cloud and mobile devices) are changing the ways business is conducted through IT. Manual […]
ArticlesSubsystem Configuration Documentation
April 18, 2017
With the 7.3 release, the subsystem configuration information has been updated and incorporated into the Work Management topic within the IBM i Knowledge Center.
ArticlesTrend Watch: Java
April 17, 2017
This is the ninth post in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important, specifically in enterprise computing. I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis with a focus on the Java programming language. Remember when Java was new? Early Java The Java programming language has been around for decades so it is […]
ArticlesJohn Eells on his Journey to the Mainframe
April 17, 2017
Reg Harbeck talks with John Eells, a longtime IBMer, about his life before the mainframe, his journey with IBM and how he ended up at SHARE. Listen to the interview via the orange play button or read the transcript below. Reg: Hello. This is Reg Harbeck here and I'm here today with John Eells from […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Business Intelligence and Business Analytics
April 10, 2017
This is the eighth post in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important, specifically in enterprise computing. In this brief article, I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis with a focus on the subjects of business intelligence (BI) and business analytics (BA). Has BI and BA entered a new era in […]
ArticlesJohn Rhodes and Roger Hammer on Solving Customer IT Challenges
April 5, 2017
In this sponsored advertising content series, zTalk Business with Reg Harbeck, Reg talks with John Rhodes and Roger Hammer of CM First Group at SHARE in San Jose about their work developing tools for analyzing and documenting legacy applications, and how they help organizations and systems integrators understand their mainframe code and large system code. Reg: […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Service Oriented Architecture and Web Services
April 3, 2017
This is the seventh post in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important, specifically in enterprise computing. In this post, I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis with a focus on the subject of integration, and a discussion on service oriented architecture (SOA) and web services like representational state transfer (REST) […]
ArticlesTokenized Encryption: Details Become Design
April 3, 2017
Once a project such as PCI compliance is approved, the first step is to hold a kickoff meeting. There are numerous reasons for a kickoff meeting: The CIO affirms the project’s importance and defines objectives, team members can acquaint themselves with each other, determine deadlines, identify potential obstacles and possible solutions, and establish requirements. But […]
ArticlesTips for Techies on Showing the Value of Their Services
April 3, 2017
People with strong technical backgrounds may not consider themselves good sellers. They prefer to install, upgrade, migrate and troubleshoot. But selling is a skill everyone must use, even if no money actually changes hands. Applying for jobs, writing proposals and emails, and participating in meetings are all types of selling because they involve uncovering a […]
ArticlesWhat to Consider When Using a Cloud or Managed Service Provider
April 3, 2017
Workloads are getting bigger. To manage all of this information and application data, businesses have a few options: store workloads on a company-owned server, tap the storage space of a managed service provider (MSP) or go with a hybrid model that combines a private, on-premises cloud with an MSP. So, how does a business decide? […]
ArticlesKeep Data out of Danger
April 3, 2017
If you haven’t seen “Attack of the Killer LOBs” yet, it’s coming soon to a DB2* environment near you. No, this isn’t a new science fiction movie—it’s a lurking danger in your environment today. Your vital data may have already been compromised, leaving you with a customer service, legal and compliance nightmare. Even worse, because […]