Talsco Weekly: IBM i Shops: What should you outsource?

Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

IBM i Brief: 💻 IBM Shifts to Subscription-Based Pricing. 💰 IBM Stock Skyrockets, Could Reach New Heights.
Development: What’s New & Exciting in PHP on IBM i 🖱️. Git With The Program🧑‍💻. Learning IBM i as a Web Developer📚
Hiring: IBM i Shops: What should you outsource?
Leadership: Leadership Demands A Radical Shift in Consciousness.
Learning: 📊 COMMON to Kick Off First of Two Fall NAViGATE Shows.
Modernization: 🧠 Modernizing An Old AS400 Programmer Brain. 5 Warning Signs of Digital Transformation Failure 🖥️.

IBM i Brief

💻 IBM Shifts to Subscription-Based Pricing

IBM is transitioning from traditional licensing to subscription for its IBM i software stack. The move aims to align IBM with industry norms, offering flexibility and aligning with the shift towards Opex-based vs Capex spending. The shift started in May 2022 and expanded to all tiers by early 2023.

We have plans for our entire portfolio at some point in time to be by subscription. We’ve been focusing on making this a smooth transition, trying to make sure there’s lots of notification well in advance of what we’ve been doing. - IBM i Principal Product Manager Douglass Gibbs

IBM continues to streamline its LPP offerings and encourage longer subscription terms. While perpetual licenses remain available, the focus is on subscription models. Future plans include transitioning other tiers to subscription-only in late 2025.

Read all the details.

💰 IBM Stock Skyrockets, Could Reach New Heights

IBM’s stock closed at a record high, with potential for further growth, according to Evercore ISI analysts. Ending the day (September 12, 2024) at $209.89, the stock hit a new peak, fueled by the analysts’ raised price target of $240 and an optimistic outlook for accelerated growth next year.

IBM’s history, dating back to 1911, includes periods of prosperity and stagnation, recently boosted by AI initiatives and exceeding Q2 earnings expectations, leading to a 28% gain in shares this year.

Development

What’s New & Exciting in PHP on IBM i 🖱️

For IBM i shops using or considering to use PHP to complement their IBM i applications, here is an IBM i & PHP training session that was held this year at the Toronto User Group.

A proven IBM i solution for API, mobile, and web application development, PHP is now at version 8.3. Solid and dependable, today’s PHP is fast, easy to code, yet powerful for the modern developer.

“PHP on IBM i by many is considered a smart choice for modernization because it offers easy updates, fast performance, and comes with key extensions that work out of the box.”

See the training video.

Git With The Program🧑‍💻 GitHub searches reveal a growing trend of IBM i developers shifting towards modern development practices, which highlights the evolving landscape of RPG programming. Learning IBM i as a Web Developer📚 This comprehensive guide offers a unique perspective on IBM i for web developers, bridging the gap between modern web technologies and the robust IBM i platform. It’s an excellent resource for those looking to expand their skill set and understand how traditional IBM i systems can integrate with contemporary web development practices.

Hiring

IBM i Shops: What should you outsource?

Everywhere you turn, there is an article about IBM i professionals, retiring.

The Looming Talent Crisis In IBM i Management. 💻 In today’s fast-evolving technology landscape, IBM i systems remain a bastion of reliability and efficiency for countless enterprises. Yet, as these systems continue to serve as the backbone of critical operations, a troubling trend is emerging – the professionals who know how to manage them are retiring. With an aging workforce and a scarce influx of new talent, organizations face the risk of operational disruptions.

It’s true, IBM i professionals are retiring.

So, what are the solutions?

Outsourcing?
Hiring Direct (Internal Staff)?
Consultants?
Training, Mentoring, Apprenticeship Programs?
Business Process Improvement / Automation?

Thoughts: I don't believe there is a magic bullet. There needs to be the right mix of in-house staff, outside consultants, as well as vendors to manage your mission-critical IBM i shop.

What is the right mix?

You decide.

Leadership

Leadership Demands A Radical Shift in Consciousness

As technology advances faster and faster, our ability to adapt our thinking and organizations is falling dangerously behind.

This post should make you think.

Learning

📊 COMMON to Kick Off First of Two Fall NAViGATE Shows

COMMON is hosting two NAViGATE trainings this fall. One in Bonita Springs, Florida, next week, and another one in Toronto, Ontario, in November.

As far as Florida, there is an All-Star list of vendors that are leading the charge as far as innovation goes on the IBM i.

I have to say, it’s the vendors that continually show up at conferences that seem to be most closely in tune with the IBM i user base as well as the ones that have a pulse on what the IBM i community is looking for.

It's not too late to sign up.

Modernization

🧠 Modernizing An Old AS400 Programmer Brain

Modernizing old code and changing how you think as a RPG developer go hand in hand.

In other words, if you want to:

Say farewell to green screens and SEU, and transition to Visual Studio Code for a dynamic programming experience.

This is a good place to start.

5 Warning Signs of Digital Transformation Failure 🖥️ Considering a Digital Transformation, read this first.

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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.

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