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It may sound like common sense, that is, to manage IT from a financial perspective. Isn’t that what we already do? Yes and no. In this issue of The Mainstream, our experts examine the challenge of understanding true costs in enterprises that are becoming almost too complex to fathom. From facing accounting methods better suited to IT of the 1980s, to cost allocation software that can relieve business of the burden of details, this issue will help you begin to untangle the financial web that’s grown between the mainframe and distributed systems – so you can make better informed decisions. You may discover that it’s time for a change.
Denise A. Hamilton
Editor
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Time for a change: Making financial sense of IT |
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 Misconceptions about mainframe costs are common, in part because businesses often assign costs to the mainframe that should be shared with distributed systems. We spoke with Randy Daniel, System z™ marketing director in the IBM Systems and Technology Group, about the impact this practice has on the business, and how one company overcame in-house obstacles to change things. |
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Shedding light on the mystery: Mainframe versus distributed computing costs |
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If you’re mainframe fan, you already understand the benefit of running core business applications on the highly reliable, secure platform. In many cases, running those initiatives on Big Iron makes much better financial sense, as well. But attempting a cost comparison with equivalent distributed systems causes many IT managers to throw their hands up. These rules of thumb can help you gain a better view of true costs. |
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Expanding your mainframe program? Cost allocation software can help you better position your case |
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How much does it really cost to run mainframe? Using good rules of thumb to gauge expenses can help you see a much clearer picture. But when looking to expand your mainframe initiatives, convincing skeptical colleagues may create a hurdle. Using cost allocation software can help you measure IT systems costs down to the individual transaction, and expose hidden or random expenses that commonly make mainframes seem more expensive. |
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DBA skills: Too valuable for mundane tasks |
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Database administration is one of the most sought-after skills in IT today. There just aren’t enough DBAs to manage the information flowing through vital databases, such as IMS™. Freeing DBAs from many mundane tasks, better handled by new tools from IBM, lets DBAs support a variety of databases with little training, and add more value further up the application development chain. |
We have eliminated the sign-in requirement to give you easier access to white papers, analyst reports and articles in selected industry publications. Please take a look at these in-depth resources covering important System z topics:
Watch this new video describing the move made by financial services company, Nexxar Group, to IBM System z9 Business Class. The change has reduced the company’s IT operating costs by 30%, leveraging IFLs and DB2 on z/OS.
By consolidating more than 80 physical servers to virtual servers running on Linux on a single IBM System z9 Business Class server, Nexxar Group improved its speed of response to new customer requirements and boosted security for its money-transfer solutions. You can also download a PDF of this case study.
Read why a financial data processing company finds IBM WebSphere solution on z/OS “simply the best.”
“When integrated with zAAPs, WebSphere Application Server for z/OS runs more efficiently, meaning that the cost of server utilization is lower—20 percent lower compared with UNIX deployments and 50 percent less when compared with Intel deployments.”
— COO of Financial Data Processing Company
Visit our System z case study Web site and customer testimonial Web site for the latest case studies on the business value of System z, across industries. Take advantage of the knowledge gained by those who have gone before you.
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CCR2™ provides fresh and high-value content from leading Systems z IT professionals and experts that will help in the day-to-day management of their mainframe applications and environments. Don't miss the current issue of the CCR2 newsletter. |
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CICS Portfolio e-Newsletter
If you are a CICS architect, developer, administrator, business manager or decision maker, the CICS Portfolio e-Newsletter will help you leverage your existing CICS assets. You’ll also learn about the latest technical developments for CICS and System z tooling, education, events and user groups. |
Events
Our events give you an opportunity to meet the experts in person, and see the latest products in action.
There’s still time! Visit IBM Impact in Orlando, Florida, May 20-25
 Your business is fluid and it requires innovation to stay on top. Set a new pace in innovation by getting the latest on SOA at Impact 2007. This conference (which includes the popular Transaction & Messaging Conference) brings you the freshest information on new SOA technologies including CICS, System z and WebSphere, from IBM business and technical experts and companies like yours that have implemented SOA solutions.
You'll learn the keys to generating innovation and operational excellence in your business using your existing resources. If you are a T&M Conference attendee, don’t miss Impact 2007!
IBM Rational Software Development Conference in June - $100 discount for System z!
Join the 2,500 great minds from around the world and save $100 on your registration. IBM is offering a special discount code to encourage you to join in the conversation: “What Keeps Me Rational?”, by attending the IBM Rational Software Development Conference, June 10-14, 2007, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in Orlando, Florida. This year’s program promises over 285 technical sessions, hands-on workshops, certification testing, inspiring and informative keynotes, technology demonstrations and a multitude of networking opportunities for System z developers. To receive your $100 discount, please use code HDDE when registering at www.ibm.com/rational/rsdc.
Get ready for the IBM Information On Demand 2007 Global Conference, October 14-19, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Join us for the premier information management event for business and IT professionals. New this year is the Business Leadership program, an intensive, 2.5 day curriculum designed specifically for corporate executives, IT managers and key decision makers in the world's top industries.
Visit IBM at Maximo World 2007 July 22-25 in Orlando, Florida.
The event provides a unique opportunity for Maximo users to exchange valuable information and participate in a leading business and educational conference. Asset and service management will be the focus. Learn more about MRO Software.
Visit for the latest information on System z events.
Webcasts and teleconferences
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Take advantage of IBM webcasts and teleconferences to keep up with the latest thinking in business and IT best practices, covering topics that span the mainframe-based enterprise. Learn how IBM System z can help you work smarter, faster and more cost-effectively.
You can also choose from among various webcast and teleconference replays, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our webcasts are ongoing - check back often for updates to the schedule.
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Visit any time to find out how to attend these sessions or view the replay from the archives.
Resources
Move beyond efficiency to deliver value with IBM Service Management
Organizations face many challenges in delivering innovative services to drive business growth. Service Management that aligns IT development and operations with the business can improve efficiency and effectiveness across the service lifecycle, and meet business priorities. In this IBM video, you’ll learn how IBM can help you close the gap between business goals and IT functions by delivering service excellence to enable better IT governance. IBM Rational solutions for banking
The IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform is a complete solution for developing software and software-based systems. It helps businesses operate more efficiently so they can deliver innovative products and services that set them apart from their competitors. Learn how our banking solution helps you establish, implement, enforce and monitor governance policies and procedures. The result is coherence across the applications and processes that affect functional and operational risk.
What we think
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The IBM Institute for Business Value offers access to 100+ studies spanning multiple industries and areas of expertise. Comprising 60 consultants, the institute works in collaboration with industry experts, leading-edge clients and our own field practitioners to provide recommendations built on a foundation of fundamental research and analysis. Search our reports.
The New Language of SOA
IBM VP of SOA Marketing and Strategy, Sandy Carter, has just published The New Language of Business: SOA & Web 2.0. The book offers a valuable roadmap and best practices learned in the field by the IBM SOA community of software and services experts, customers, partners and industry analysts. Based on the collective feedback from industry leaders at organizations of all sizes, in over 50 countries, they share their views, experiences and challenges of aligning technology with business goals through SOA. Highlights include case studies, the synergies between SOA and Web 2.0, and the top 10 SOA "Don’ts."
Save 35% off the list price when your order your copy today at IBM Press, using the coupon code: CARTER654X during the checkout process. This promotion is available until the end of June 2007. Download a free chapter of “Secrets of SOA - an enterprise view of SOA deployment revealed,” co-authored by several IBM experts.
Keep up to date on the latest business strategies and news IBM System z software and related solutions with this convenient e-mail newsletter.
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