Talsco Weekly: What is quantum computing?

Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

Future Trends: What is quantum computing?
Career: Where do you want to retire?
Training: New IBM Power College Program.
Modernization: Innovation is Inherent to the IBM i platform. The Ugly (And Not So Ugly) Truth of IT.
History: ERP Ownership History.

Future Trends

What is quantum computing? "Quantum computing is a new approach to calculation that uses principles of fundamental physics to solve extremely complex problems very quickly." Key Takeaways:

Quantum computers won’t replace today’s computers. By using the principles of quantum physics, they will be able to solve very complex statistical problems that today’s computers can’t.
Quantum computers are able to work so much faster than classical computers because they use quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in multiple states at the same time. This property, known as superposition, allows quantum computers to perform many calculations simultaneously, whereas classical computers can only perform one calculation at a time.
Quantum computers aren’t like your average desktop computer. The kind of quantum computers that are capable of solving major problems will be expensive, complicated machines operated by just a few key players.
Quantum computers have the potential to revolutionize various industries, including finance, healthcare, and logistics. They can help optimize complex operations, such as portfolio management, drug discovery, and supply chain management, by solving problems that classical computers cannot. Quantum computing can also enable faster and more secure data encryption, which is crucial for protecting sensitive information in the digital age.

Career

Where do you want to retire? We aren't encouraging any of you to retire, but if retirement is in your plans in the next 10 years or so, here is a list of the best states to retire in. What is the most important aspect of retirement planning? If you said finances, you’re probably right. But, there are also other aspects you might want to consider. If affordability is most important to you: Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, South Carolina and Wyoming should be on your list. If the quality of life (now this is in the eyes of the beholder) is most important, maybe Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Florida, or New Hampshire is the place for you. If health care is most important, maybe Minnesota, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii, or Colorado are your thing. The nice thing about the shift to remote work is that it has given professionals the flexibility to move to a location that suits their lifestyle and retirement plans.

Training

New IBM Power College Program IBM is launching a new Power College program to train the next generation of Power Systems administrators and developers. The program is designed to provide students with the skills needed to work with IBM's Power Systems, which are used in many enterprise environments. The program will be offered through select universities and will include both classroom and hands-on training. IBM hopes that the program will help address the growing skills gap in the IT industry and provide a pipeline of qualified candidates for its customers.

Modernization

Innovation is Inherent to the IBM i platform "IBM i exists because of how well it runs complex business applications and manages data." "We take for granted that the Power servers it runs on can also run AIX and Linux. Recently, IBM even announced .NET support via Linux on Power Systems. Taken together, that’s a uniquely versatile foundation that enables companies to balance IT function, performance, and risk." This article discusses the challenges faced by IT departments in balancing the need for innovation with the need for stability and security. Stability, scalability, and security are inherent in the IBM i platform. And I would add, innovation is also inherent to the IBM i platform. Why? Because: the use of APIs that allow you to extend the reach of the traditional RPG applications and the plethora of open-source languages that can now be used on the platform allow for endless innovation for IBM i shops of all kinds. The Ugly (And Not So Ugly) Truth of IT The article discusses the challenges that IT organizations face when dealing with legacy systems and the importance of modernizing them. It highlights the risks associated with maintaining outdated technology, including security vulnerabilities and the inability to keep up with evolving business needs. It also emphasizes the opportunities that come with modernization, such as increased efficiency, improved customer experience, and reduced costs. Key takeaway: IT leaders need to take a strategic approach to modernization and collaborate with business stakeholders to ensure that technology investments align with organizational goals.

History

ERP Ownership History Here is an "ERP listing" where the number of tombstones refers to the number of times the ERP or software product has been acquired. IBM i ERP systems are represented in both Tier One and Tier Two. Infor, as you all know, seems to hold the most ERP systems found on the IBM i platform. Here are three of the most notable Infor holdings that run on the IBM i platform. PRMS (Profit Planning and Control System) is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that was developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in the 1970s. DEC was later acquired by Compaq, which was then acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP). HP eventually sold PRMS to Infor Global Solutions, which currently owns and supports the software. BPCS (Business Planning and Control System) is an ERP software that was originally developed by System Software Associates (SSA) in the 1980s. Over the years, BPCS has had several owners. In 2006, SSA Global was acquired by Infor Global Solutions, which became the owner of BPCS. BPCS has been rebranded as Infor LX Mapics was originally developed by IBM in the 1970s. In the 1990s, IBM sold Mapics to Marcam Corporation, which later changed its name to Viasoft. In 2003, SSA Global acquired Viasoft and became the new owner of Mapics. In 2006, SSA Global was acquired by Infor Global Solutions, which currently owns and supports Mapics, now known as Infor XA.

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