IBM AI initiatives, IBM i investment value and outage risks, recent PTF updates, AI skills demand and workforce impact, IntelâŻGaudiâŻ3 AI chip integration into IBM Cloud, IBMâŻOrchestrate as a universal AI interface, executive dissatisfaction with IT despite generative AI, tutorials on finding large IFS folders and retrieving printer file information via SQL, and strategies for modernizing legacy systems and navigating company aging.
Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly
- IBM i Brief: đ IBMâs AI Future Shaping Up Strong (Financial). IBM i Insights: IBM i Investment Value, Outage Risks to the IBM i, and Latest PTF Updates. IBMâs Orchestrate: Pioneering AI as the Universal Interface đď¸.
- AI: đ¤ AI Skills: Key to Future Workforce? đ§ Intelâs Gaudi 3 AI chip joins IBMâs cloud offerings. IBMâs Orchestrate: Pioneering AI as the Universal Interface đď¸. đ Has generative AI has only made executives even more disgruntled with the state of IT?
- Development: How can I find the largest IFS Folders on my IBM i System? đ Retrieving Printer File Information Using SQL đ¨ď¸.
- Modernization: đ Companies navigate aging through renewal and adaptation.
IBM i Brief
đ IBMâs AI Future Shaping Up Strong (Financial)
IBM is making strides in AI implementation and consultancy, surpassing expectations with Q2 results. The company reported solid growth in core areasâsoftware, consulting, and infrastructureâamid rising revenue and free cash flow. With watsonx AI platform and Granite models addressing data privacy concerns, IBM offers enterprises secure AI solutions. Their holistic approach to consulting, software, and AI development positions them as a go-to partner for scalable AI projects, appealing to companies seeking compliant solutions in a growing market.
Is IBM is poised to leverage its expertise and technology for sustained growth in the AI sector?
IBM i Insights: IBM i Investment Value, Outage Risks to the IBM i, and Latest PTF Updates
We have covered the below in recent issues, but here is a nice recap of some of the main stories for August 2024.
đ DDC Whitepaper on IBM i Advantages and Challenges. DDC highlights IBM iâs strengths including reliability, scalability, and security. They address challenges like skill gaps and modernization, proposing solutions such as training programs and interface updates.
đ¨ Could a CrowdStrike-like outage impact the IBM i? In July, a CrowdStrike outage disrupted tens of thousands of businesses globally. Despite initial cyberattack suspicions, it was due to testing flaws in the security software update. Concerns about IBM i vulnerability arose later. By implementing rigorous testing, staged deployment, and strong documentation practices, IBM i can mitigate risks and prevent similar disasters in its environment.
đ IBM delivers quiet PTF updates. IBMâs latest PTF releases didnât bring any major surprises, bringing relief to IT Admins handling updates. Improvements and fixes were made in ACS, SAP 7.5 for enhanced security, and fixes in Websphereâs Java management builder and Apache enhancements.
AI
đ¤ AI Skills: Key to Future Workforce?
The emergence of generative AI introduced new dynamics to a labor market already in a state of change.
Organizations adapting to digital shifts faced a skills gap.
AI prompted a shift towards skill-based recruitment and development. The unknown lies in assessing the quality and quantity of emerging skills, paralleling software engineeringâs evolution. CompTIA noted a 16% surge in AI-related job postings and skills demand, signaling AIâs integration into all facets of IT operations.
In IT, where will AI be useful?
đ§ Intelâs Gaudi 3 AI chip joins IBMâs cloud offerings
IBM plans to integrate Intelâs Gaudi 3 AI processor into its public cloud platform, positioning it as a competitor to Nvidiaâs H100 GPU. The Gaudi 3 boasts improved power efficiency for AI inference and faster training times for large models. Based on a 5nm node, it features specialized MME and TPC modules optimized for various AI tasks, enhancing overall performance and data processing speed. IBM will make Gaudi 3 available in its Cloud Virtual Servers and watsonx suite.
Why this matters? The GenAI strategy for IBM i is built on the watsonx suite. IBM is all in on AI and trying to catch the other players in the market.
IBMâs Orchestrate: Pioneering AI as the Universal Interface đď¸
Is IBM onto something here that will revolutionize AI?
At IBM Think, we had the chance to talk about Orchestrate and I mentioned that it felt like IBM might be exploring what I call the holy grail of natural language AIâwhich is making AI the next-generation computer interface to any and all software. Today in the marketplace thereâs some confusionâpeople are hearing about AI assistants, chatbots and agents, but those are piecemeal interfaces. None of them really meet that vision of a single interface, where we can simply ask an AI to do something and they do it, regardless if it takes multiple applications.
đ Has generative AI has only made executives even more disgruntled with the state of IT? The trend in information technology focuses on advancing tech capabilities, including AI. However, business leaders show a decreasing confidence in IT services. An IBM study reveals executivesâ dissatisfaction despite technological advancements like generative AI.
Development
How can I find the largest IFS Folders on my IBM i System? đ Here is a quick tutorial on how to find the largest IBM i IFS Folders Retrieving Printer File Information Using SQL đ¨ď¸ A new SQL View called PRINTER_FILE_INFO in the SYSTOOLS library now provides an easier way to access printer file information on IBM i systems. This feature, introduced in the recent Technology Refreshes, eliminates the need for APIs or DSPFD commands for retrieving such data.
Modernization
đ Companies navigate aging through renewal and adaptation
Every business undergoes a lifecycle from startup to maturity and potential decline.
While leaders often resist decline, accepting and adapting to a companyâs age can be beneficial. Companies can fight aging through renewals (fixing existing operations), legacy technology (modernization), revamps (expanding into new markets), or rebirths (transforming the business model).
However, psychological factors and management incentives often push companies to pursue risky growth strategies instead of accepting their current stage.
Full Story: MIT Sloan Management Review
Take away: For IBM i shops looking to modernize, it is important to consider that the tech stack is only one aspect of revitalizing an organization. It is equally important for leadership to also recognize that legacy technology is deeply embedded in the organization. While much of it may seem to be old and outdated (the look and feel), much of the core business processes are the secret sauce that makes the organization successful and really are not outdated at all under the covers.
Join
Sign up for Talsco Weekly to get the latest news, insight and job openings for the IBM i professional.
Contact us
If you are an RPG programmer looking to explore opportunities or a client who is looking for a talented IBM i professional, please contact us. We look forward to assisting you.
Share
Do you know of someone who could benefit from Talsco Weekly? If so, please use the social media buttons to spread the word. Thank you!