Over the decades, many companies have trusted IBM POWER for its robust and reliable platform. However, like any technology, it is natural to question its longevity and relevance in the market.
In this article, we will explore some common concerns IBM POWER customers ask themselves and we will provide some practical advice to help maximize your investment in IBM POWER.
Read this article through to discover a comprehensive solution addressing the 4 concerns listed below.
1. “Maintaining my IBM POWER platform seems costly.”
After a significant initial investment in IBM POWER systems, some companies find the ongoing costs associated with this technology a little too costly. Here are some areas they sometimes question:
- Hardware maintenance costs are more than Intel
- Software maintenance renewal licensing fees for IBMi licenses are costly
- Difficulties finding skilled resources
When faced with the above, companies need effective alternatives to address these issues.
Blair’s advice:
We believe a legitimate alternative is to consider a private cloud offering IBMi or AIX®. This solution eliminates the need to search for skilled resources as well as paying for what you need, in terms of capacity, horsepower, etc.
In addition, you also gain:
- Cost and resource optimization
- Capital expenditure (CAPEX), are replaced with a OPEX model
- Greater scalability, as resources can be adjusted to meet fluctuations in demand
- Lower maintenance costs
- Improved business performance
- Data and application protection with disaster recovery options
- System agility and resilience
2. “I have trouble keeping my infrastructure secure and compliant with regulations.”
Security of IBM POWER systems is necessary to:
- Protect sensitive data
- Ensure business continuity
- Guarantee compliance and regulation
- Maintain reputation and customer trust
- Prevent financially impacting the business with a security breach
Keeping up with the evolving threat landscape, compliance requirements, security solutions can be complicated for small and medium-sized businesses.
Blair’s advice:
Businesses can address this by subscribing to a cybersecurity solution to help their IT department reduce your risk.
3. “I am afraid of the downtime my critical system, IBM POWER may have on the business.”
Service interruptions affect the performance and delivery of products and/or services. As a result, customers’ reputation is adversely impacted.
Availability is paramount to:
- Ensure business continuity and strategic growth
- Guarantee operational efficiency
- Enjoy financial stability
- Achieve customer satisfaction
- Be competitive in the market
IT staff must be very responsive to ensure minimal downtime is avoided, which cannot always be guaranteed if they do not have the tools in place to ensure this.
Blair’s advice:
Companies should look for an IT firm specializing in High Availability (HA), Disaster Recovery (DR) and Backup as a Service (BaaS) solutions. This ensures companies to realize operational continuity.
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Over the years, we have witnessed a decline in the number of IBM POWER experts, which is becoming a critical issue for POWER customers. Many IBM POWER specialists are approaching retirement or already have retired. IBM POWER’s operating systems require specialized knowledge. It is important to have skilled IBM POWER personnel at your disposal in order to benefit from the following:
- Optimal performance
- Reduced downtime
- Enhanced security
- Efficient resource utilization
- Knowledge and capability
- Risk mitigation
Blair’s advice:
A solution for companies looking for more IBM POWER experience at their disposal, they should consider subscribing to a managed service where the firm has a deep bench of experienced IBM POWER resources available for any issue that may arise.
Blair provides cloud managed services.
Learn more on our dedicated page
What If All Four Concerns Could Be Addressed with One Comprehensive Solution?
Blair recently launched a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) solution for IBM POWER systems (IBMi, AS/400, Linux, and AIX). As an IBM Platinum Partner and backed by 30+ years of managing IBM POWER platforms, our solution addresses all the concerns IBM POWER customers may have without moving away from this important platform they have counted on for years.
Security & Compliance
At Blair, security is our priority. Our SOC 2 Type II certification demonstrates our unwavering commitment to operational integrity and robust data protection.
Our cloud solution for IBM POWER systems offers:
- The highest levels of security and resilience
- The latest IBM POWER technologies to provide superior performance and security
- 24/7 bilingual operational support
- Security services to address all your needs
- Assistance with compliance for local and international regulations
“Blair’s proactive approach provides businesses the confidence to operate within a regulatory-compliant infrastructure tailored to meet complex requirements.”
Jonathan Perry, Manager, Power Systems, Blair Technology SolutionsAvailability
Blair ensures robust connectivity with advanced redundancy options. Our cloud solution is engineered to maximize uptime and resilience, performing optimally even under limited bandwidth scenarios.
We offer managed services to swiftly handle disruptions, alongside comprehensive backup strategies to protect your data from loss:
- High Availability (HA)
- Disaster Recovery (DR)
These integrated features collectively guarantee continuous operational stability and data security, safeguarding your business against external challenges.
Find more information on our VPC solution in our solution brief.
Click here to download it
Lack of resources
Blair fills the gap of expertise through its comprehensive managed services.
Our VPC solution for IBM POWER systems offers:
- Around-the-clock support
- Issue resolution with proven SLA’s
- Proactive critical alert management
Behind Blair’s Virtual Private Cloud offering for IBM POWER systems you will find:
- 15 IBM specialists
- 10 network and security specialists
- 12 network operations center (NOC) technicians
Our Virtual Private Cloud solution for IBM POWER systems eliminates the need for extensive training or additional hiring, thus allowing your business and IT department to fully capitalize on the advantages of cloud technology. Our specialists provide regular feedback and are always available to improve your experience on our VPC solution for IBM POWER systems.
"Our current customers all share the same need to focus on value-added activities, despite the shortage of internal IBM POWER skills. Since delegating the management of their POWER systems to NOVIPRO, they've been able to sleep soundly and focus on tasks that really matter to them.” Jonathan Perry, Manager, Power Systems, Blair Technology Solutions
Listen to Jonathan Perry in our podcast dedicated to Blair’s VPC
Click here
Investing in Blair's virtual private cloud solution means transitioning from capital expenses to predictable operational costs. We offer flexible pricing models.
Our tailored cloud solution we design for your company, ensures a significant return on investment by optimizing operational efficiency and reducing long-term costs.
In Summary
Blair's virtual private cloud solution for IBM POWER systems (IBMi, AS/400, Linux, and AIX) addresses common concerns about cloud with a focus on:
- Security
- Cost-effectiveness
- Compliance
- Reliability
- Control
- Expert support
“Blair’s virtual private cloud solution for IBM POWER systems goes beyond a mere technological advancement; it represents an investment in the operational future of your company.”
John Blair, Vice President Technology Solutions Practice, NOVIPRO Group
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