2006 brings with it yet another name change for the product range that encompasses the iSeries as just one of the systems. Do we now get our users to refer to the system as the iSeries, the i5, the System i5, or as its generic product name, the System i? Whatever your answer, with this name change, the System i5 brings with it some great innovations in addition to those that have been available for some time. The System i5 still leads in its ability to host multiple operating systems, its partitioning capabilities are second to none and its capability as a business system, central to a company’s customer/user interaction, are class leading. I don’t need to sell the system to you as, in all likelihood, you have one of these systems installed at your company today (and of course, Common UK isn’t a product selling organisation!). I would, however, like to draw your attention to Common UK’s one day, in-depth, educational event happening in April.

Our day’s workshop will cover a number of the new v5r4 developments not least of which are the updates enabling XML document data access support within RPG, freeformat SQL enhancements and freeformat error checking. Also, there is the enhanced Workplace offering, Content Management and IBM’s statement of direction to introduce iSCSI attached xSeries servers to the i5 later in the year. Single sign-on will be covered along with a technical overview of High Availability. Tuning the i5 is more of a requirement now than ever before as more and more i5 systems are web facing and SQL is more prevalent. We will take a detailed look at tuning the i5 in an integrated environment. As a programmer, are you still using green screen for management of the environment? Or would you like a fresh view of the i5 Navigator? We have a great session on this oft-overlooked free and available application. You can expect this detail from industry leading specialists from IBM and other key businesses within our industry. This is an educational event and the best value for your training money to be had in the first half of 2006.