Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

IBM i Brief: Rocket Software Acquires NetManage for $2.275 Billion. IBM Introduces Power S1012 for Edge-Level Computing.
AI: Apple’s Integration of OpenAI into Apple Intelligence.
Development: Web Concepts For The RPG Developer, Part 1 & 2.
Learning: RPGPGM.com: Eleven Years And Counting.

IBM i Brief

Rocket Software Acquires NetManage for $2.275 Billion

Rocket Software (privately held) has acquired the assets of NetManage, including the RUMBA 5250 emulator, from OpenText’s Micro Focus for $2.275 billion. This deal also includes half of OpenText’s Micro Focus assets, pushing Rocket’s annual revenue past $1 billion.

The acquisition of the OpenText AMC business is a significant milestone that sets a similar new standard for modernization innovation and excellence at Rocket Software and greatly accelerates our strategic growth and market penetration. – Milan Shetti – CEO, Rocket Software

Rocket acquired the following products:

Host Connectivity business (RUMBA, Reflection, OpenText Host Access)
Micro Focus COBOL tools
Enterprise Suite for System Z
Mainframe tool, ChangeMan
CORBA, an EAI middleware

Much like users of IBM i, Mainframe users are facing significant pressure to modernize their applications.

Given these circumstances, we can anticipate further consolidations and acquisitions in the market as vendors look to cash in on the modernization market.

IBM Introduces Power S1012 for Edge-Level Computing

IBM has introduced the Power S1012 server, a powerful system optimized for edge-level computing.

It will enable the execution of AI workloads at the point of data, eliminating the need for data transfers. It is designed for industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation that are leveraging edge computing to capitalize on real-time insights.

The Power S1012, offering up to 3X more performance per core compared to Power S812, provides a competitive edge with real-time data analysis capabilities. This makes it especially valuable for the IBM i market.

Anticipated arrival: June 14th, 2024.

AI

Apple’s Integration of OpenAI into Apple Intelligence

Apple made a huge announcement this week, Apple Intelligence.

Apple has integrated OpenAI into its systems, offering advanced AI capabilities. This includes ChatGPT integration into Apple’s operating systems, providing users with an enhanced experience while maintaining privacy.

Apple has an Integrated approach to building their product offerings vs a Modular one.

Stratechery: AI Integration and Modularization

An ‘integrated’ approach to product development involves designing all components to work seamlessly together, offering a smooth user experience but limiting customization. For instance, Apple tightly integrates its hardware and software.

On the other hand, a ‘modular’ approach uses distinct, interchangeable components for greater flexibility and customization, though it may lead to compatibility issues. The Android operating system exemplifies this approach, with software that different manufacturers can modify to fit their hardware.

Does IBM have a similar approach with the IBM i?

Development

Web Concepts For The RPG Developer, Part 1 & 2

Here is a two part series on Web Concepts for RPG Developers by Chris Ringer, a IBM i Developer who has explored the C# world and has now returned back to the IBM i.

In Part 1 he explains how to format components in HTTP requests when accessing remote data from IBM i. He provides examples and explanations for both GET and POST requests, discusses the Base64 scheme, and introduces tools like HTTPAPI, RXS and SQL HTTP.

In Part 2 of “Web Concepts for the RPG Developer,” Chris Ringer continues to explore HTTP requests. The focus this time is on JSON, a compact and human-readable data format that has largely replaced XML. Ringer provides examples of JSON data structures and shows how to construct JSON strings in RPG. He also discusses epoch time, a common reference time used in HTTP requests.

Learning

RPGPGM.com: Eleven Years And Counting

While there have been a number of RPG resources, forums, blogs that have come and gone over the years, one that remains strong is Simon Hutchinson’s RPGPGM.com.

As of June, 11, 2024 it is 11 Years Old. Talk about a Youth Movement 😂

Here are some of the things RPG developers are saying about his work:

Rpgpgm.com has all the information I need.

Simon, thank you for all the effort and work you put in to run this blog and the invaluable information that has provided knowledge that has more than likely helped a lot of us out of a high pressure sticky situation over the years.

What you’ve done for the community is a key part of the growth and knowledge to the platform, Simon! Thank you from all of us.

The topics he addresses cover everything related to RPG, SQL, CL, IFS, Query, Administration and everything in-between. It is an invaluable resource.

Here is a categorized list of all of his posts over the past 11 years.

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