RPGDevNet

Roto-Rooter—System i .NET Extension

Roto-Rooter Services unclogs its dispatch system with ASNA’s AVR and DataGate.

Read about how Roto-Rooter built a new Web services-based “service-dispatch” application and equipped its technicians with GPS-enabled mobile phones to better automate its dispatch processes.

"A Proactive Approach Is Needed to Address IBM's Legacy Solutions"

Excerpt of an article by Greg Schottland published today on MCPress Online.

ISVs and enterprises must move forward, while leveraging their existing knowledge and investments.

The System i (formerly known as iSeries and AS/400) is a midrange platform produced by IBM. In the '90s, the AS/400 platform became one of IBM's greatest success stories. A symbiotic relationship between platforms and independent software vendors (ISVs) proved to be a critical success factor for both the platform and the application providers. The value propositions of the System i platform and the advantage over alternatives led thousands of enterprises and ISVs to develop vertical applications based on System i and to put their trust into and base their future on this environment. It was the golden age of the platform, and new vertical solutions were created one after the other.

As with other technology-based products, over time there was a decline in purchases of new System i boxes. The decline in revenue reflected the difficulty IBM had trying to sell the System i line, which in turn caused IBM to change its product strategy regarding this platform. The System i Division was reorganized into the Power Systems and Business Systems units for larger and smaller clients, respectively.

“We’ll Modernize After I Retire….”

by Greg Schottland

I have the pleasure of talking to senior management at many iSeries shops each week. A small but dedicated group recite this headline to me at some point during our discussions. I often ask “Do you think you’ll still be using the iSeries in 10 years.” The answers are interesting. For some, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies. Their iSeries apps are working just fine, they still have RPG developers and there is no reason to change now. For others, some event has pushed them to move – loss of a key developer, the desire to offshore development, consolidation of IT around a different platform, or for ISVs, simple economics as users demand modern platforms.

I wanted to discuss (if not defend!) those stalwarts that are not ready to move off the trusted, dependable iSeries. Are these folks wrong, missing the boat, locked in the past? No! Not even close. In almost all cases, these managers understand the cost and value of IT to their businesses, having literally started the IT department in many cases. They innately understand the economics. They are immune to the “gear-wow” of new technology that for them, is not necessary today.

But…I must also temper this defense with a word of caution. It is always better to prevent a fire than put one out. It is much easier to take your time, analyze, design and implement the evolution of your IT applications. It is no fun to have the clock of urgency and impending deadlines loudly ticking while you try to do these same tasks. iSeries apps are large, highly functionally and very integrated. You will want time to move these to another platform whenever that day comes. And unfortunately, it will come someday…maybe after we all have retired to the golf course, but it is inevitable.

So my answer to: “Why modernize now, nothing is broken?” is simple. Don’t. But, understand when that day comes, you’ll need some time to get it done. So when you see that horizon coming into view, give yourself a few years lead time. Start on the easy steps of analyzing what you have and where you might move, when that day comes.

Until then, you won’t hear a word from me for staying the course! It just makes sense.

[photo credit: SXC]