IBM i briefs covering FNTS’s Power servers in the cloud, IBM’s AI‑driven retrenchment of 8,000 jobs, and iTech’s transition to Service Express; an overview of blockchain oracles and smart contracts and their benefits and challenges; and guidance on modernizing legacy systems, including modernization strategies, risk considerations, and the importance of adopting new technologies for IBM i applications.
Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly
- IBM i Briefs: FNTS now offers Power servers in the Cloud. IBM to Retrench 8000 jobs and shift towards AI. iTech is now Service Express.
- Blockchain: What are: Blockchain Oracles And Smart Contracts.
- Modernization: If you are trying to modernize legacy systems, pay attention to what you are trying to solve. If you don't modernize, you are at risk. Modernizing IBM i Applications: Building a Bridge to the Future.
IBM i Briefs
FNTS now offers Power servers in the Cloud
IT Jungle reports that FNTS (First National Technology Solutions) has recently launched its managed services for Power servers in IBM Cloud. The new service will allow customers to take advantage of IBM's cloud infrastructure while also having their Power servers managed and supported by FNTS.
This offering is expected to provide customers with increased flexibility and scalability, as well as improved security and reliability.
FNTS has a long history of providing IBM Power Systems support and has been recognized as an IBM Platinum Business Partner.
The launch of this new managed service is expected to further strengthen FNTS' position in the market and provide customers with a comprehensive solution for their cloud and server needs.
IBM to Retrench 8000 jobs and shift towards AI
IBM has announced plans to retrench approximately 8,000 employees as part of its efforts to shift towards AI and automation.
The company has been struggling in recent years to keep up with competitors in the tech industry and has identified AI and automation as key areas for growth. The job cuts are expected to primarily affect employees in the company's Global Business Services division, which provides consulting and outsourcing services to clients.
IBM has stated that it will be investing heavily in AI and automation technologies in the coming years and that this shift is necessary for the company to remain competitive in the market.
The announcement has been met with criticism from employee advocacy groups who have expressed concerns about the impact on workers and their families.
iTech was acquired back in July of 2022 so this is not necessarily new information, but now iTech is formally Service Express.
“Service Express is an industry-leading data center solutions provider specializing in global multivendor maintenance, hybrid cloud, managed and infrastructure services, hardware solutions, and more” and as you can see, they are picking up a number of IBM i focused vendors.”
Blockchain
What are: Blockchain Oracles And Smart Contracts
There are so many areas of technology that, at first glance, seem like they would not apply to the IBM i ecosystem. But, as you dive in deeper, if there is a business case (need), they do.
At some point, the data found in these systems either originates from an ERP or other form of business system or finds its way into one of these systems.
Here is an article that discusses the role of blockchain oracles in enabling smart contracts to interact with external data sources.
It explains how oracles work and the benefits they offer in terms of data reliability and security. It goes on to highlight the challenges associated with oracles and the need for standardization in the industry.
Key Terms:
Blockchain: A decentralized digital ledger that records transactions in a secure and transparent manner.
Smart Contracts: Self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of code.
Oracles: Third-party services that provide external data to smart contracts.
Decentralization: The process of distributing power away from a central authority or organization.
Data Reliability: The accuracy and consistency of data.
Security: The protection of data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
Standardization: The process of developing and implementing standards to ensure consistency and interoperability.
Key Takeaway: Blockchains along with Oracles “are beneficial for almost all businesses since they gather, organize, and securely authenticate information without compromise.
Are there any potential use cases at your organization?
Modernization
If you are trying to modernize legacy systems, pay attention to what you are trying to solve.
The underlying business case for modernization rests on trying to solve something.
“Digital transformation has made it imperative for application leaders to find effective ways to modernize legacy systems. The biggest challenge? Knowing the risk-to-reward ratio before acting.”
The article talks about the challenges faced by organizations in modernizing their legacy systems and offers seven options for modernization. These options include rehosting, refactoring, rearchitecting, rebuilding, replacing, retiring, and retaining. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, and organizations need to carefully evaluate which option suits their needs and budget. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of modernizing legacy systems to remain competitive in today's digital world.
If you don't modernize, you are at risk.
"When a new technology arrives, it is almost always at a systemic disadvantage. If we wait until the new thing is better than the old thing, we’re taking a big risk."
What do you mean?
If you have competitors who "spend the time to learn new tech and, more importantly, build systems around it" they will likely take customers from you. Customers that you will never get back.
Think about the IBM i shops that learn and incorporate APIs, web services, and open-source solutions vs those who don't.
"When there’s an iterative cycle of new technology, the systems can’t help but improve, and the tech is likely to as well.
“When a new tech or system is 50% as effective as the old one, it’s our job to learn it and understand it.
“And when it hits 77%, we ought to consider creating a new division, a new product line, or a new approach that adopts it.
“By the time it catches up, we’re either part of it or we’re too late."
Something to think about…but don’t think too long.
Modernizing IBM i Applications: Building a Bridge to the Future
Modernization efforts are in full swing in the IBM i community.
Today's IBM i shops are seeing rapid changes in the business landscape that require new ways of thinking, new business processes, and innovative technology solutions.
This is leading traditional AS/400 shops to a critical decision point when it comes to their ERP systems:
Should they modernize their existing IBM i applications or migrate to another platform?
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