Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash

Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

News: IBM’s new story. Amnesty on Software Maintenance.
Careers: Do you have the right skills for the future?
Development: Creating a web service from RPG.
Leadership: Rising up to the challenge of COVID. How to align your remote teams.
Modernization: It’s no longer about modernization because the business rules have changed.
Remote Work: Does remote work really allow for collaboration?
Trends: The current crisis will expose the organizations who have not embraced

News

IBM has been looking for a new story to tell the world as to how they are still relevant to the future of technology. The acquisition of Red Hat is the beginning of the new story.

It appears that “Arvind Krishna, the new CEO at IBM”, is just the guy to tell the story. While past leaders of IBM did not participate in Wall Streets quarterly calls, he is. He sees it as an opportunity to answer to the investment community and pitch IBM’s future path.

The path, undoubtedly, will be to leverage its existing customer base, its Red Hat acquisition, Open Source, and Cloud.

For IBM i professionals who are wondering what the future might hold, this article is a worthwhile read. It comes from a familiar voice.

IBM Grants Amnesty On Software Maintenance After License Charges

If you have not heard.

Last week, we were asking for Big Blue to wake up and provide a stimulus package for its Power Systems business in general and its IBM i business in particular. And one of the things we asked for – an amnesty canceling so-called after license charges for Software Maintenance for IBM i and AIX platforms was actually quietly announced to business partners.

Career

The FIVE most popular jobs in IT right now

When looking reading this article, take notice of the underlying reason as why these positions are the most popular.

The key is there is a shift in how business is done, how (and where) we work, and the availability of technology.

While there might be some temporary uncertainty right now, there is no question the demand for IT talent will continue to be in high demand.

10 developer skills on the rise — and five on the decline

I think they are missing something.

While the following statement is true:

As companies dive deeper into digital transformations and pivot to data-driven cultures, tech disciplines such as AI, machine learning, internet of things (IoT) and IT automation are driving organizations’ technology strategies and boosting demand for skills with tools, such as Docker, Unusable and Azure, that will help companies innovate and stay competitive in rapidly changing markets.”

It is also important to keep in mind the “secret sauce” for RPG developers now and in the future is integration.

Legacy systems are not going away. At the same time, emerging technologies are changing how we do business.

The ability to be able to integrate legacy and emerging technology is without question the most valuable skill and RPG developer can have.

Development

Creating a Web Service from an RPG program

This without question is one of the most important skills to learn for the future of the RPG developer.

Leadership

Three Proactive Response Strategies to COVID-19 Business Challenges

Does this sound like the situation that your company is in?

Countless companies have taken reactive steps to ward off major losses, such as establishing remote work arrangements, securing supply chains, reducing employee workload, cutting costs, and applying for government support.

This article covers three possible strategies that will pull you through.

Same products, different channel.
Same Infrastructure, Different products.
Same Products, Different Infrastructure.

See the decision tree in the article as guidance.

Tips for syncing up your remote team

“With 56% of the global workforce already working remotely at least once per week before the current situation, it is becoming essential for businesses to cultivate a productive and engaged remote team. One key factor is the alignment between employee and company goals. Studies show that when employees understand how their work contributes to company objectives, productivity increases.”

Modernization

Modernization is more about transformation

As you read this article, Digital Transformation is more important than ever, ask yourself, does your company fall into this category? Can I do anything about it?

We have been talking about modernization forever. Fast forward to today where companies are being asked to leapfrog modernization and digitally transform.

What does all this mean?

It means that technology is changing the rules. It’s no longer about modernization but about transformation.

Remote Work

Tips From Gitlab On Remote Work For Innovative Teams

I hear it time and time again. Remote work does not allow for collaboration.

Well, that depends on your perspective.

So how can this be:

GitLab has been an all-remote company since the early days. Now, it has 1200+ employees across over 65 countries. It’s the world’s largest all-remote company.

Trends

Digital Transformation: Business Leaders Still Struggling to Cope

The need for digital transformation is real. Many business leaders have failed to modernize and leverage newer technology. Unfortunately, the current crisis is exposing it.

Many business leaders don’t move and or leverage new tech until their competition forces their hand.

The current crisis is proof that there are many businesses that are much further down the modernization (digital transformation) path than others. Note, this is not necessarily have anything to do with legacy technology but rather the mindset around integrating emerging technology to support the new way of doing business.

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Contact us

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