Jerry Finn and John Wolff have both written observations about the IBM
iSeries, I'd like to present my perspective.

> >> ... IBM is continuing
> to support
> >> their iSeries (formerly called the AS/400) and is regularly
> upgrading the
> >> OS to newer chips, including the top of the line chip.
> >-Snip-
The IBM iSeries seems to embody the principal that "the customer is always
right".  On the one hand, it seems to be an HP 3000 on steroids.  It is a
complete data processing engine with a built-in RDBMS, a batch job
processor, a spooler, utilities, industrial strength COBOL compiler, etc.
However, it goes beyond that with client/server, JAVA and e-commerce
enabling software.  It also plays well with others, there is a package
called Client Access that makes doing client/server applications using
Windows and JAVA a snap.  There is a related tool called Operations
Navigator that makes it possible to operate and administer the computer
using a graphical user interface from a PC.  It's value proposition goes
even further with free software development kits and sample code and thick
300-500 page redbooks that serve as how to manuals in solving problems.  If
you purchase an iSeries there is no question of being able to satisfy
customer requirements with it today, no apologies.

Moreover, continuing with the theme that "the customer is always right" and
"it plays well with others".  Using something called PASE you can compile
programs written for AIX, the IBM UNIX, and run them on an iSeries.  If you
want Linux, you can run it on an iSeries in a partition (this is also
promised for AIX).  If you want Windows, you can add several Windows
processor boards inside of an iSeries frame.  All of this multiple operating
systems stuff gives you several benefits among those are very high speed
networking (at bus speeds), and simplified systems administration.

These features of the iSeries speak volumes.  IBM has learned not to be
arrogant.  They seem to subscribe to the philosophy that you the customer
will choose what works best for you and that your needs continue to change.
They seem to just want to try to lower your cost to own and operate as you
make these choices and to protect your investment.  The platform evolves as
your needs evolve.

The IBM iSeries division has a consulting arm called the Custom Technology
Center (CTC).  It is their job to help customers and partners achieve their
data processing goals with the platform.  These people help customers web
enable, convert to client server, etc.  Therefore, IBM does not leave it to
chance that you will figure out how to do these things yourself, if you want
help, it's there.

There is an organization called Partnerworld at IBM.  This organization's
focus is to help ISV's as large as SAP or as small as the many ISV's working
out of their garage be successful with the iSeries platform.

What HP does or does not do is up to them.  If we're to believe Mike
Cappelas, it seems to be their philosophy
  - That you will ultimately be able to get any kind of computer you want
from them as long as it is Linux or Windows.
  - There is no longer to be an HP 3000 because customers are no longer
interested in proprietary operating systems.
  - You should migrate your HP 3000 to HP-UX, but wait that's not either
Windows or Linux, I'm confused.
It seems to be a different philosophy than IBM has.  I guess customers will
have to decide which philosophy they like best.  IBM seems to be very
comfortable with that scenario.  The customer is always right.


Charles Finley
Transformix Computer Corporation
1832 Bailey Dr.
Oceanside, CA  92054
(760) 439-3146

* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *