Jim Utsler
Contributor
Jim Utsler, freelance writer and former senior writer, has been writing about technology since the mid-1990s. He has covered myriad technological advances—and seen numerous IBM platform name changes. Although he currently focuses on customer success stories, he also writes articles of general computing interests and about new and emerging technologies. He has also written stories for magazines like Automotive News, Electronic Commerce World and PGA Magazine. Jim is a freelance illustrator and the author of two currently unpublished novels (one a thriller about the early days of PC development). Jim has a degree from the University of Michigan. While in school, he was a copy editor for Mathematical Reviews, an experience that taught him that math actually does make sense. His now, oft-repeated rebuke of himself is, “If I had been born smart enough, I would have been a physicist.” Jim can be reached at jjutsler@provide.net.
IBM POWER9 and Composable Systems
October 1, 2019
Once upon a time, advances in computing speeds were defined by Moore’s Law. That’s no longer the case, however, with the law having hit a wall. As a result, tech providers have had to become more creative when addressing compute speeds, especially when it comes to new technological advances in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing […]
ArticlesIBM Research Is Revamping the Global Food Supply Chain
July 10, 2019
According to the United Nations, the earth’s human population could grow to 8 billion people over the next few years. Go to research.ibm.com/5-in-5/ to read more about IBM Research’s five seed to shelf predictions. Unfortunately, the global food chain—from farms to processors to grocers to the table—may not be able to safely and effectively keep […]
ArticlesThe Competitive Edge of POWER9 for Cloud and AI
March 1, 2019
Using a system built by a single vendor from the ground up has its benefits. For example, both the hardware and software have been optimized to essentially function as a single entity, removing the complexity involved in multivendor scenarios. Such is the case with IBM POWER9* servers, which make a compelling argument for upgrading from […]
ArticlesBringing Security to the Cloud
January 1, 2019
Security, security, security. It’s been drummed into our heads a thousand times over. Not that it shouldn’t be. One breach can put a company out of business, whether it’s due to regulatory fines or the loss of customer confidence. This is especially true with the increasing adoption of cloud computing. And internal and external security […]
ArticlesCrowdsourcing Drones for Crisis Management
January 1, 2019
Dramatic weather events are becoming increasingly common, whether they’re hurricanes, extended periods of drought or out-of-season heatwaves. Understanding these phenomena is critical to (hopefully) helping reverse the cause. That, however, would likely require a coordinated global response, something that may not be possible. But quicker action can be taken on the local level, especially in […]
ArticlesIBM Helps Developing Nations Harness Safe Water
November 1, 2018
Developed nations largely take clean water for granted. Open the tap, and there it is. Many developing countries, unfortunately, don’t have that luxury. Kenya, for example, has a population of approximately 46 million people, with an astounding 41 percent relying on unimproved water sources such as ponds, shallow wells and rivers (bit.ly/2HkljYo). Additionally, only nine […]
ArticlesFirst Option Improves Hosting Services With Collaboration
September 1, 2018
UP CLOSE Customer: First Option Headquarters: Cave Creek, Arizona Business: IT hosting services Challenge: Growing its hosting business while still focusing on other aspects of the business Solution: Partnering with mindSHIFT, another IT hosting service provider, to develop a lower-cost, more easily managed and geographically dispersed hosting environment Hardware: Several IBM Power Systems servers The […]
ArticlesFRAIKIN Group Develops a Flexible Thin-Client Environment
July 1, 2018
UP CLOSE Customer: FRAIKIN Group Headquarters: Colombes, France Business: Fleet-vehicle provider Challenge: Lowering client-side costs while also improving user services Solution: Embracing Google hardware and cloud software to streamline its front-end computing environment, while also maintaining 3270 TE access to IBM Z Hardware: An IBM-owned and hosted IBM Z server; Google Chrome devices Software: SysperTec […]
ArticlesHow DevOps Helps Organizations Keep up With the Competition
May 1, 2018
Oh, those up-start startups. They think they can push services out to market faster than large enterprises because they’re smaller and more agile. Well, they’re in for a surprise. Many big companies are embracing application modernization efforts, which allows them to be just as agile as their newcomer competitors and, as a huge benefit, take […]
ArticlesIBM z14 Model ZR1 Is Ready for Cloud, Pervasive Encryption and More
May 1, 2018
How can medium-sized businesses solve the conundrum of scaling for business growth with ease and confidence? The answer is the latest lean, mean and super fast player in the IBM Z* product line, the IBM z14* Model ZR1. It hits the field of play with a complete new physical system design. In a world where […]