Category: Hardware/Software

IBM has just declared that my 5 year old IBM iSeries has reached “End of Life” and IBM will shortly cease offering maintenance and support.  Its time once again to buy the newest model, or is it?  IBM recently made available the IBM iSeries environment for deployment in the cloud.  The full functionality, speed, and reliability of the iSeries can now execute on your new on-site local hardware OR remotely in a secure data center.  So how do we decide which way to go.  Well that all depends.  Let’s explore the pros and cons via the analogy of buying or renting a car.

PERFORMANCE and CAPACITY

If I’m buying a vehicle, I need to make sure I have enough seats and horsepower to accommodate my family.  My server requires enough processor speed, memory, and disk capacity to satisfy my users.  Typically, you would overbuy server capacity to make sure costly upgrades were not required….OR

Cloud allows you to dynamically add performance and capacity as needed.  Rent precisely only what you need. Save money and maximize performance.

RELIABILITY and AVAILABILITY

My Car/Server is parked at my home in my fortified, locked garage provisioned with redundant backup power, security cameras and restricted access.  In case of failure, I call my IBM mechanic who travels to my residence with the exact part that is required.  In case a tornado destroys the place, not to worry; all my tape backups are in another location. I have insurance to pay for a new Server that IBM can provision in perhaps a week; and I can delay payroll until the new Server arrives…OR

My Rental Car/Server is parked in a secure, fortified data center with super redundant internet and power.  If disaster strikes the data center, I can restore my environment from backups that were automatically performed via a direct non-tape disk to disk process. My backup is located in a completely separate data center. A new cloud environment could be provisioned in a matter of a few days.  Business Continuity Achieved.

IBM i  OPERATING SYSTEM RELEASE UPDATES

New functionality and the closure of security threats are provided via PTF’s and OS Release Level updates. Think of having to change your oil, rotate your tires, etc.  Your server should be running the latest OS level which is V7R4.  Just like taking your car to the dealership, applying PTF’s and migrating to the next OS release level take time, cause downtime, and cost money… OR

The cloud environment is automatically maintained at the latest and greatest IBM i Release and PTF level which provides enhanced functionality and security protection.

COST

One typically purchases a car because one thinks that it will last five years and have some resale value.  Unfortunately, old servers have no value and the acquisition process must repeat again…OR

Save your capital and always ride in the newest car.

“NO WORRIES” With the CLOUD everything is included: backups, security, release updates, anywhere remote access, on-demand storage, hardware and system software maintenance.

Visit ProntoCLOUD iSeries Hosting for more information

Maintenance.  Just the very word itself brings up dreary thoughts of things like home improvement, home maintenance, vehicle maintenance etc. etc. etc.  The list seems never ending!

With the help of Data Systems Management, your system maintenance can be a breeze!  We are here to offer our help along with IBM and are here to keep your systems covered under a maintenance contract.

Let’s be clear here,  There are actually several different maintenance contracts that need to be reviewed annually to ensure you are not left without coverage.

 

 

 

So let us begin with the most important one.

 

Hardware Maintenance:

What is it and how does it benefit me?

To begin with hardware maintenance is the coverage you need should anything go wrong with your server.  You will need an IBM representative to show up and help diagnose the problem your machine is having.  Not having the maintenance coverage is not an option.  this coverage can pay for itself in one on site visit.

 

Software Maintenance:

What is it and how does it benefit me?

Software maintenance is critical in the event there is an update that is done and requires a tad more expertise than your office has or should there be a bug in the update etc.  Again, the maintenance contract can pay for itself in one on site visit.

 

DSM Software Maintenance:

Again, any update done by DSM on our software may contain an element that does not work properly with your exact system.  Even though we extensively look at each client’s system and take all things into consideration, an older server can create a problem with an update that is totally unexpected.  so just like in the above statement, signing a software maintenance contract with DSM on an annual basis is an absolute must.  With laws that constantly change, programming has to constantly change.  Any of these changes could create a problem with your server and that is not the goal we are trying to reach.

Wrapping things up:

DSM Software Maintenance:

In essence, the moral of the story is to keep your maintenance contracts under close supervision.  I know its just one more thing on your plate to think about so the changes I have made here at DSM promise to make this as easy as possible on the client.  Annually DSM sends out a letter asking for your DSM software renewal.    We ask that you read and sign the contract.  This will only take a few minutes of your time and it will increase your level of security in the event of a problem.  This is the software you work on everyday.  The software that operates your programs like payroll, tax, justice court, and your financial packages.  Think of your DSM software renewal as your daily insurance program.

Server Maintenance:

This one gets a bit trickier to keep up with, so I have created a system by which I track who has coverage and when that coverage expires.  It even tells me if the coverage is for 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.  It lets me know if you have 9×5, M-F coverage or if your coverage is 24×7 coverage.  As I stated it gets a bit trickier so I decided to take the bull by the horns and create a system for keeping you up to date on your coverage.  You will see a letter from me 90 days prior to your coverage expiring and each 30 days thereafter you will receive additional notifications letting you know that your maintenance is up for renewal.    This maintenance includes your actual hardware and your software.  The software I am speaking of here is the actual operating system software.  Think of this as a type of car insurance.  Just like your auto coverage, this contract covers your car and the engine so to speak.  the seen and unseen parts of your computer.

Now that your understanding has been refreshed on the value of maintenance coverage, please feel free to contact me at 601-573-6130 or awalker@datasysmgt.com to find out when your particular coverage expires.

I look forward to hearing form each of you very soon!