Talsco Weekly: Development, Digital Transformation, ERP, Python and PHP on the i

Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

Development: Why JSON over XML?
Digital Transformation: Lessons of Digital Transformation. IBM i: From Modernization to Digital Transformation, to Business Transformation.
ERP: Love Your ERP or List It?
Python: Playing with Python on IBM i.
PHP: Installing Zend Server on IBM i- Intro & Prerequisites | Zend by Perforce.

Development

Why JSON over XML? Why would you use JSON versus XML when creating a web service? 'JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is an essential technology in modern IBM i shops. From web services to browser interfaces and data exchange—it has seen a remarkable growth in usage.' JSON is better because...

Digital Transformation

Lessons of Digital Transformation What do the following three names mean to you?

AS/400
iSeries
IBM i

They are different, and yet one in the same, all at the same time. Sounds, confusing? It is. Here is a brief history of the AS/400 and iSeries and one that takes us through the IBM i of today to help. The same goes for the terms "Modernization" and "Digital Transformation." These terms mean different things to different people. However, the reality is that Modernization is part of Digital Transformation. In fact, modernization, is an essential enabler of digital transformation; therefore, "modernization, must become a core competency for any organization hoping to digitally transform." Let's take a look at Digital Transformation in more detail with the understanding that modernization is part of it. "For more than a decade, the term “digital transformation” has been nearly ubiquitous across industries. While it’s taken on different meanings depending on the organization or context." The article highlighted here, describes the journey an organization takes to become a "Digital First" company. Technology is only part of the journey. The biggest element is the cultural change that needs to take place. Here are four key insights to keep in mind as you navigate through your modernization and digital transformation journey.

Be Good, not perfect. Organizations that try to be perfect, never get started. Start small, fail fast, reiterate, and try again.
Leapfrog the competition. I have seen countless IBM i shops do this. They are so far ahead of others in the IBM i community because they got out of their own way. They recognized the value of the IBM i long before their peers and focused on making the IBM i interoperable.
Be data driven. Data is the key driver for transformation. It can also be used to open up new lines of business and revenue if you are thinking outside the box. I have talked to numerous CIO's who are thinking about innovative ways they can use data.
Allow time to transform. Modernization and Digital Transformation will not happen overnight. It will take time.

Modernization and digital transformation is a journey. The role of traditional IT departments has and will continue to change. It's no longer just about implementing and supporting systems but rather about finding ways to extend the reach of legacy systems to drive business innovation. IBM i: From Modernization to Digital Transformation, to Business Transformation "Does the customer care if you have a legacy ERP? Not really. All they care about is you solve their problem. IT leaders should ask themselves the following questions:

Do we spend time money and resources on modernizing our internal legacy ERP systems?
Or, do we focus on building custom customer-facing systems?

The answer is somewhere in-between because you need to do both."

ERP

Love Your ERP or List It? Here is an interesting perspective on the state of ERP systems. IT Jungle dives into a recent Forrester report, Love your ERP or List it? "The decision to stay with a legacy business application or to ditch it for something new is not an easy one to make." There are benefits of both. Most companies are happy with their ERP.

'A recent Forrester study, finds that more than two-thirds of organizations are happy with their existing ERP system.' This seems to echo the sentiment that we see in the IBM i space as well.

The study also finds that companies would find benefits of looking at alternatives to enable business and digital transformation. IBM i shops have struggled to train new users on a 5250 screen because it's not familiar to them. This is one clear benefit of looking at alternatives or ways to improve the user experience. Overall, there is hesitancy from most CIO's to engage in "major long-term projects." "So what is a forward-looking company to do? One of Forrester’s recommendations for companies that aren’t ditching their old ERP homes is to instead start the renovation process by adopting a “digital operations platform,” or DOP, to start preparing to shrink their ERP footprint and begin the shift to specialist SaaS products." This is consistent to what we see happening in the IBM i market today.

Python

Playing with Python on IBM i "One of the great things about IBM i is the amount of Open Source technologies that have been added over the years. This means that if you know any of them, you can write applications within the platform." If you are an RPG developer and new to Python you might have the following questions:

Why would I want to write Python on IBM i?
How can I write Python code on IBM i?
How do I install Python on IBM i?

If you are interested in playing around with Python on the IBM i, this is a great blog post to help you dive in.

PHP

Installing Zend Server on IBM i- Intro & Prerequisites | Zend by Perforce If you are an IBM i user and want to know how to deploy ZendPHP or Zend Server this tutorial shows you how. Details:

New installation process using open source package management in ACS.
Licensed program requirements including PACE, Qshell, and more.
Required PTF groups.

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