So, you’re using an IBM i server….

 The IBM i

The IBM i users are loyal and outspoken group. And it’s no wonder. Occasionally, you discover a product that has you wondering if you’ve stepped into some kind of alternative universe. The very first product that gave me this impression was the ‘63 Corvette Stingray. Close second was the old AS400 from IBM. It was kind of like if you took an M1 Abrams tank and created a server with similar survivability. The stories of these things were legendary.

• One system was on the top floor of a building literally flattened by a tornado. After falling 4 stories, being buried by rubble and rained on, they only needed to dry it out to bring it back on line.
• Another system ran for a whopping 18 years without anyone patching, updating or even backing it up with no issues.
• Yet another was accidently walled up yet remained in service for years until someone tracing down the power and network wiring opened a wall to see what the wiring went to and found a shrouded AS400.

Who’s using the IBM i?

The IBM i software platform evolved out of this legendary AS400 and it is even more amazing. Whereas the AS400 was successful in manufacturing and distribution, the IBM i has moved into construction, banking and finance, health care, hospitality, and retail. Much of Las Vegas runs on the platform. It’s a software platform that scales from a small mom & pop shop up to a mission critical system for a multi-national companies. It’s virtually immune to the vast majority of malware, ransomware and Trojans. The IBM i is far more robust and vastly more resistant to outside or inside attack. It runs both on premise on IBM Power, ranging from IBM’s smallest to largest servers, and in the cloud, which, surprisingly isn’t how the small customers we’ve dealt with are running it; those firms are buying IBM Power9 servers, which also tend to be more robust and less vulnerable than their Intel based alternatives.

Leaving the platform?

The IBM i is the closest thing to a software platform superhero that I’ve yet seen and likely the safest and most powerful server platform available. Yet, as new generations enter the IT world, many have diverse backgrounds that lack specific knowledge of the ‘i’. Likely the best server platform they’ve never heard of. As the pool of RPG developers dwindles, many feel the pressure to leave this secure environment for Cloud based solutions.

Is the Cloud in your future?

In response, IBM has recently introduced new end-to-end solutions that better connect the IBM i to the cloud. One of the key growth areas for the platform is when it’s used by software providers to provide Software as a Service, or Cloud-based solution. Additionally IBM and its many partners are finding new ways to provide value to their clients by providing cloud services, whether it’s backup in a cloud or fully hosting customers. IBM is dedicated to making the combination of IBM i and Power Systems as good in that cloud environment as they have always been if you physically have the box on site.

The 'i' stands for integrated

As the platform continues to evolve, becoming increasingly robust, embracing modern technologies, and giving many of the world’s top organizations a competitive edge, so do IBM partners, like inFORM Decisions. They complete the platform by providing integrated software designed to function as a packaged whole. inFORM Decisions has software to digitize, manage and distribute spool and database files. From complex spool file bursting and distribution requirements, electronic document automation to workflow, we have the products that you might need, as well as the IBM i, iSeries, AS400, Power Systems experts to help with the installation and development.

Unleash your systems power

inFORM Decisions has been a Document Automation provider specializing in state of the art Document Automation solutions for the IBM i – AS/400 arena since 1994. We believe that the IBM I / Power Systems will be relevant for a long time offering the stability and security that you’ve come to expect from IBM. inFORM Decisions experts can show you how to unleash your systems power and recoup countless hours of productivity! inFORM Decisions is committed to the IBM i platform forever!

Additional reading:
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Call (800) 858-5544 / (949) 709-5838 or visit us at www.informdecisions.com for more information about our acclaimed iDocs suite of IBM i products.

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IBM brings supercomputers to the Middle East and Africa

IBM and Mubadala expect that Watson will help industries such as healthcare, banking, education and retail in the Middle East and Africa.

IBM said it has reached an agreement to bring the awareness of Watson computing platform to apply to many different industries in the Middle East and Africa.

Watson is famous for beating the best players in the Jeopardy television show in 2011.

Since then, IBM has applied this system to handle computational problems in the industries such as healthcare, banking, retail and education. This system is based on the ability to recognize and understand the ordinary languages of people, as well as the ability to analyze massive data sets.

Currently, IBM is partnering with Mubadala Development Company to bring Watson applications running on cloud computing to the aforementioned industries in the Middle East and Africa.

Both IBM and Mubadala Development said they hope to be able to work well together to create a new ecosystem in the areas, including enterprises, application developers and startups. According to IBM, this partnership will further promote IT sector in the regions, especially in boosting the economy of the city of Abu Dhabi.

According to IDC, the IT market in the Middle East and Africa in 2015 is expected to reach 270 billion dollars, becoming the second fastest growing IT market in the world, and that is why IBM wants more investment in this area, although IBM appearance here was more than 60 years.

IBM also created a joint venture with Mubadala company called Injazat, specializing in Watson. The two companies did not disclose financial details of this cooperation.

Tags: convert as400 spool file to pdf, how to convert spool file to pdf in as400, as400 to pdf 

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How to guarantee iSeries connections

If you want to make secure connections to your iSeries with the SSL Telnet, VPN Tunnel or a portable device, take some tips given by Andrew Borts, an iSeries programming expert. 

First of all, SSL Telnet lets you telnet into your systems securely. Therefore, a secure channel should be used to place your system on the internet. Importantly, giving out individual SSL certificates that only your system can access allows the secure “telnet”. This can be found in the Digital Certificate Manager (DCM). Certificates to OS/400 TCP/IP Telnet Server should be also assigned. In addition to, you can create a custom certificate that only you have and use for connecting. 

What is more, you can keep your iSeries from those who try to attack your data by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) Tunnel. 

If you want to make secure connections to your iSeries with small devices, use some software packages. 

Another problem is that you need make secure your connections online. Here are some tips you should know. The first tip is that you have to know where you are. In fact, there are Wi-Fi hotspots in many airports. However, connecting in public places like airports has hidden risks. Therefore, you should limit using public connections. In addition, you should turn off shared anything. More importantly, you should update your anti-virus software regularly. Finally, turning on your internal firewall is necessary to avoid dangerous viruses. 

Source: search400

Keywords: convert spool to pdf, Scanning to PDF, document automation tools, AP Automation

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Why AS/400 and iSeries users should upgrade their solution?

For AS/400 and iSeries users, there is a question heard frequently from. It is that why they should spend their money and time upgrading their solution to the latest and greatest one while they don’t want to move the most recent version of IBM Power Systems because of being satisfied with the current solution. 

In fact, if you are one of AS/400 and iSeries users, you should do this because of some following reasons.

Risk of Failure – The newer the system is, the less likely that it will fail.

Maintenance Cost – The older system is, the more expensive its maintenance cost is.

Supported Software – The newer the system is, the more likely it supports newer software releases.

Leveraging New Technologies – The newer the system is, the more likely it is compatible with newer hardware and software solutions.

Green – The newer the system is, the better it makes for the environment.

Power and Cooling Cost – The newer system is, the significantly higher it makes the cost of running and cooling the AS/400.

Source: abcservices

Keywords: AS400 iSeries, Scanning to TIFF, iseries scan, Document Payment Automation

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