02
Sat, Nov
2 New Articles

Practical Analytics for IBM i Users

Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Make informed decisions about the different BI technologies and architectures you may be considering.

 

Editor's note: This article introduces the white paper "Practical Analytics for IBM i Users" available free at the MC White Paper Center.

 

Over the past decade, IBM has kept up a nearly constant barrage of announcements about business intelligence (BI) and analytics software and services. Ironically, considering the topic, the frequency and variety of these announcements has created a serious case of information overload for many IBM customers who don't have the time to read and interpret what all these offerings and strategies might mean to their business. Numerous customers, Business Partners, and members of the press have asked New Generation Software, Inc. (NGS) for our analysis because of our position as an IBM Premier Business Partner and independent developer of reporting and BI software for the IBM i (System i, iSeries, AS/400) operating system. We've done the research and summarized it in this White Paper to help you make informed decisions about the different BI technologies and architectures you may be considering.

 

To understand IBM's strategy, we need to recognize that IBM has shifted over the past two decades from a "hardware" company to a company that primarily generates revenue from software and services. IBM made this shift clear in 2010 when it reorganized and moved the IBM Systems and Technology Group (STG) underneath the IBM Software Group (SWG) in the organizational reporting structure. That was followed in 2014 with the sale of the x86 hardware business to Lenovo and then in 2015 by the sale of the microelectronics business to Global Foundries. IBM Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Rometty, described these parts of the business as "empty calories" in her cover letter to investors in IBM's 2014 Annual Report. Today's IBM is focused on what management believes is required to be a leader in the market segments they call cloud, analytics, mobile, social, and security.

 

In 2014, IBM generated $54.9 billion, or 59% of its total revenue, from its Global Technology and Global Business Services divisions. Global Technology Services is IBM's information technology consulting business. Global Business Services is IBM's management consulting arm. IBM software generated $25.4 billion in 2014, representing 27.4% of the company's revenue.

 

The evolution in IBM's business model can be seen in the IBM i software market by the way IBM has moved from embracing and promoting independent software vendors (ISVs) of high availability, application development, reporting, analytics, and automated operations software to investing billions to acquire competing solutions in these and other market niches.

 

It's important to note that despite this business strategy and investment, IBM has yet to find much success selling its software and services to the large base of small to mid-size IBM i customers. IBM i customers have continued to overwhelmingly depend on independent consultants, small consulting firms, ISVs, and local IBM Business Partners for professional services. IBM hopes to change that. Over the past three years, IBM has refocused many of its IBM i developers and technology experts from customer/partner education and support to billable services projects, usually tied to the deployment and use of IBM software products. Reasonably, we can assume IBM will continue to expand its efforts in this area and increasingly compete with independent consultants and IBM Business Partners.

 

This White Paper closes with a section to help IBM i customers defend the platform and DB2 for IBM i against some of the most common misconceptions that are held by those who would prefer to use other computing platforms for BI.

 

Want to Know More?

Download the free white paper "Practical Analytics for IBM i Users" from the MC White Paper Center.

 

New Generation Software, Inc. (NGS) delivers high performance IBM i (iSeries, System i, AS/400) business software solutions to companies of all sizes and representing virtually all industries. Hundreds of people worldwide rely on NGS’ solutions every day. NGS is an IBM Business Partner and active supporter of the COMMON User Group and numerous regional IBM i user groups. In addition to IBM, NGS has strong business relationships with numerous independent software vendors and IBM solution providers. For more information, visit www.ngsi.com.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: