IBM open‑source AI for cancer, Red Hat/IBM partnership, Cloud Pak for Data on OpenShift, Db2 Mirror cluster performance, impact of technology on jobs, job‑application follow‑up tips, managing technical debt vs. development speed, code and team health, data safety in Industry 4.0, Industry 4.0 market outlook, ERP modernization vs. new ERP, leadership drivers and blockers, AR/VR future impact, Tesla Megapack battery for grid storage.
Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly
- News: IBM is fighting cancer with Open-source AI. Red Hat, IBM and what is next.
- Database: Midrange Dynamics and Db2 Mirror Clusters
- Career: Tech will change all jobs says IBMs CEO. The best way to follow up on job applications.
- Development: How to manage technical debt. Development Speed is not the only thing that matters.
- Industry 4.0: How safe is your data. Industry 4.0 forecast.
- Leadership: Drivers and Blockers of leadership.
- Trends: The future of AR, VR and Massive Battery Power (This might shock you).
News
IBM Just Made its Cancer-Fighting AI Projects Open-Source "IBM recently developed three artificial intelligence tools that could help medical researchers fight cancer. Now, the company has decided to make all three tools open-source, meaning scientists will be able to use them in their research whenever they please." Red Hat CTO Chris Wright talks about Red Hat's future with IBM While the acquisition is still in the works the hope is this will revitalize IBM. Red Hat in turn wanted to be one of the top players in the industry, they feel this will help them. Curious about what will happen with OpenShift (Red Hats Kubernetes offering) now that IBM is running the show? Will Red Hat become just another division of IBM? Not so sure that will happen because Red Hat offers so much than previous acquisitions that IBM has made. Cloud Pak for Data on Red Hat OpenShift: The best of both worlds "The recent $34 billion acquisition of Red Hat by IBM has been touted widely as a game-changer. Having been an integral part of many acquisitions at IBM, I can attest to the importance of strategic acquisitions. But no other move in IBM’s 100-plus year history is more strategic to its future than Red Hat."
Database
Midrange Dynamics Speeds Table Updates In Db2 Mirror Clusters There is no shortage for data in the enterprise. The types of data used in the enterprise in the future will include new forms such as video, voice and other unstructured data sources. In fact, unstructured data in most organizations is growing faster than structured data. That being said, IBMs Db2 Mirror is coming to the market at the right time because "the speed and reliability of Db2 Mirror make it a great data platform for building continuously available applications, particularly for companies that can’t afford any downtime, planned or otherwise."
Career
Every job will change because of technology, IBM CEO says Ginni Rometty, Chairman and CEO of IBM talks about how technology will change jobs in virtually all industries. Here is a quick video where she shares the role IBM is playing in helping train and retrain the workforce. This is an example of a new model of education. There are 200 schools around the globe and more are coming. How to follow up on job applications "There’s nothing like reading a job listing and feeling that this could be the perfect job for you. So you apply to the position—and then it’s crickets." Looking to change jobs? Here are some of the reasons RPG developers look to make a change.
Development
Tech leaders panel addresses engineer satisfaction and managing technical debt Technical debt is,
what happens when development teams deliver a certain functionality in the interest of speed, but then have to go back and rework the code because of problems later.
Unfortunately, I hear about this all the time. Who fault is it? Developers? Management? Regardless of who you want to point the blame at in the end it happens because there is a desire to get things done fast. But, speed is not always your friend when it comes to development. Does your IBM i shop favor speed over quality, bug free, well thought out code? Moving Beyond Velocity "Velocity isn't the only thing to focus on in your next Scrum meeting! This article highlights some of the other important elements for measuring success." I like this article. It talks about "code health", "team health" and the underlying code base as one of the key elements to consider. Here is some advice from a Scrum Master that will help you balance the need for velocity and quality.
Industry 4.0
How safe is your data in Industry 4.0? "With the growth of smart, connected technology in Industry 4.0 initiatives, data is more available than ever." Many of my IBM i clients have had elements of Industry 4.0 in place for a decade or more. But as Industry 4.0 becomes more mainstream there are some things to be aware of. Industry 4.0 Market 2019 Outlook, Strategies, Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast To 2026 "Size and Forecast to 2026, the Industry 4.0 market is anticipated to show extensive growth in the forecast period from 2019 to 2026." If this is the case, would it be better to invest in a new ERP, then implement an Industry 4.0 strategy? Or should you modernize your current ERP (the database and RPG code base) then push for AI, IIoT and ML projects? In many cases the latter is far less expensive. I have seen many organizations take this route instead.
Leadership
The Powerful Drivers and Blockers of Leadership Driving change is not easy. It takes leadership and self-awareness. As this article points out, "self-awareness is at the heart of effective change". This article lists a number of questions that will help you uncover what is holding you back from being at great leader.
Trends
The impact of AR and VR will be as big as the internet Wrapping you head around technology is not that easy. AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) don't make it any easier. This article will help give some perspective on both VR and AR and how they will have an impact on both the consumer and commercial markets. Tesla’s Megapack battery is big enough to help grids handle peak demand Who would have thought you run a power grid off a battery? Well, it's possible. What I find most intriguing about this article is how far we have come. Could this revolutionize the data center?
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