2008 Archived COMMON Webcasts / Webinars

The Web-based educational sessions below have already taken place, and can be accessed in their archived form. Note that some are accessible only to COMMON members with a current COMMON ID and password.

COMMON Webcast
What's New for RPG in V6R1
Speaker: Barbara Morris, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
Find out about all the new RPG features in V6R1. Files defined in subprocedures - passing files as parameters - support for huge variables and arrays - no more overrides at compile time - running RPG in multiple threads - and more.

About the Speaker:
Barbara Morris is the lead developer for the RPG compiler in the IBM  Toronto Lab.  She has been working on the RPG compilers since she started at IBM in 1989 after receiving a Computing Science degree from the University of Alberta.  Some of the notable enhancements that she developed for RPG include subprocedures, qualified data structures, and the call-interaction with Java.  Barbara is a regular participant in several online RPG forums, and has published many articles about RPG.

COMMON Webcast
Exploring the DBA Tools in System i Navigator
Speaker: Jim Flanagan, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
The V6R1 release of IBM DB2 for i includes a number of new and updated tools that a database administrator can use to easily handle typical, real-life situations.

In this webcast we will explore how someone wearing the "DBA hat" in an organization can use these tools provided by System i Navigator.

About the Speaker:
Jim Flanagan has worked in database development for DB2 UDB for i5/OS for the last thirteen years. He is currently the team leader for the System i Navigator Database team and is a frequent speaker at COMMON events.

COMMON Webcast
IBM i and IBM BladeCenter – Which BladeCenter Solution is Right For You
Speaker: Kyle Wurgler, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
Recently IBM made several announcements about running IBM i on a POWER6 processor-based blade inside of an IBM BladeCenter chassis.  At the highest level, this has broadened the choices for IBM i customers; now you can deploy the operating system you know and love along with your x86 applications. This session will give a high-level description of each of the 3 solutions where IBM i and BladeCenter come together and will give some decision factors why a customer would choose one solution versus another.

About the Speaker:
Kyle is a Senior level developer at the IBM Rochester laboratory. He is currently the World Wide Product Manager for the System i Integration with BladeCenter and System x. He also is helping lead the i5/OS on POWER blade effort. He joined IBM with a BS in Computer Science. He has held various positions in System i compiler development, Windows development tools and Integrated xSeries Server development.

COMMON Webcast
Rational for Dummies on IBM i
Speaker: Al Grega, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
By now you have heard that the WebSphere Development Tools for System i have moved over to the Rational Brand. But did you know that Rational also has many other tools that support IBM i directly with more on the way. This session will take you down the road of Enterprise Modernization using Rational tools. We will cover what has happened to WDS and WDSc and then position the rest of the IBM i Rational portfolio so you have a better understanding of what is available and how these tools can be used to increase productivity within your own shops.

About the Speaker:
Al is responsible for the worldwide sales of IBM Rational enterprise modernization software and compilers. Prior to this assignment he managed the WebSphere product portfolio on the IBM System i and System p platforms. He has over 25 years of experience ranging from operating systems development to services, marketing and product management. Al has also taught at the State University of New York at Farmingdale and is currently on the Strategic Education Team for Web Application Development at COMMON.

COMMON Webcast
First Look at IBM's Blue Business Platform
Speaker: Amy Anderson, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
Earlier this year, IBM introduced the first of a new generation of IBM Power Systems that provide IBM System i and System p clients a single, unified line of servers with simplified pricing, increased application choice and reduced energy and administration costs. 

IBM will be adding to the choices available to its Power Systems customers later this year or early next year with the introduction of the IBM “Blue Business Platform” (BBP).  BBP is a new and innovative way for customers to buy and manage integrated business applications, eliminating complexity and reducing costs associated with managing IT.  

Key elements of the platform include:

• A web-based community and solutions network is the point of entry, providing a place where customers can connect with partners and each other, browse IBM and Business Partner applications, see user ratings, get live technical support for business advice and to start the purchase process.
• BBP appliances include all server hardware and software needed, pre-configured and ready-to-use - with no manuals required.
• Solutions are always connected for autonomic management, updates, and new application deployment through an easy-to-use web dashboard.
• Cloud-based remote services (e.g., remote application services, hosted back-up and recovery, remote administration) are also available.
• BBP is a community that offers clients a rich marketplace of business applications, organized by industry, and by business requirement.  Clients can access reviews, peer-to-peer community networks by industry, customer ratings and support through “live chat” with an online customer advisor and single point of access for phone support. 

At the end of the Webcast you will the opportunity to take part in the Beta test program for BBP.

About the Speaker:
N/A

COMMON Webcast
Tuning DB2 for i, An Iterative Approach
Speaker: Tom McKinley, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
Database performance can be a critical piece of any application. This is becoming more and more important as we see DB sizes continue to grow. IBM I Operating System has some great tools that allow you to optimize the use of your data. This presentation gives you a strategy of where to start, what tools to use and what things to look for, when tuning your database on DB2 for i.  In some cases, minor changes can reap significant benefits.

About the Speaker:
Tom is an IBM employee working in the DB2 for i5/OS Center of Competency at Rochester MN. His main focus is complex query performance associated with Business Intelligence running on Very Large Databases. He worked as a developer or performance analyst in the DB area from 1986 until 2006. Some of his Major pieces of work include the Symmetric Multiple processing capabilities of DB2 for System i as well as Large Object Data types. In addition he was on the original team that designed and built the SQL Query Engine. Prior to Database he work on Licensed Internal Code for System 34 and System 36.

COMMON Webcast
Implement a WMS with Success
Speaker: Brian Carlson, Cornerstone Solutions
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
This webcast will provide you with the blueprint for a successful implementation of your WMS (Warehouse Management System). We will discuss all of the components involved in a WMS implementation, including: Software/Configuration; Operational Effectiveness; and Facility and Distribution Team. Case studies will demonstrate how proper testing, training, and the evaluation & refinement of business processes can improve the bottom line when implementing a WMS.

The webcast is packed full of information on common implementation pitfalls and how to avoid them, ROI calculation, successful project planning & methodology, typical implementation timetables, proper application utilization and successful integration strategies. Your warehouse can quickly become more efficient and effective in using your WMS with the tips you will gain in this presentation!

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

1. Understand the specific implementation phases and the impact each has on an operation.
2. Create a roadmap for ROI & goal tracking beyond go-live.
3. Measure a successful implementation and avoid mistakes in the process.

About the Speaker:
Brian Carlson is the Vice President and co-founder of Cornerstone Solutions, a supply chain execution consulting firm. Brian has over fifteen years of experience in supply chain related technology including warehouse management, transportation, order fulfillment and customer compliance. He frequently speaks at industry tradeshows, including DC Expo, APICS, several different software user groups, and CUCG. He has also authored numerous articles and has been published in Inbound Logistics, Parcel Shipping & Distribution and MHIA; as well as the supply chain market and WERC websites. Brian has managed the software evaluation and selection process for dozens of companies including companies such as Jacuzzi, Delta and McCormick.

COMMON Webcast
i5/OS Security by Object Type
Speaker: John Earl, PowerTech Group
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
Different object types require different security schemes. Learn how to secure your application objects quickly and easily.

About the Speaker:
John Earl is the Chief Technology Officer and lead architect at The PowerTech Group, a Seattle WA iSeries security company. He is a frequent speaker at iSeries industry conferences and user groups, a two time winner of COMMON's silver Speaker Excellence award, and a widely published author of security articles and advice columns. With S/38,AS/400 and iSeries experience extending back to 1980, John shares a unique depth and insight on Security and system management topics.

COMMON Webcast
What's New in Lotus Domino 8 Server
Speaker: Kim Greene, Kim Greene Consulting
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
The Domino 8 server offers a wealth of enhancements. Attend this webcast to learn about the new Out Of Office service, automatic Inbox maintenance, the new ODS structure, new database and server features, along with new server commands. You will also learn about the new security, policy, messaging, DWA, and directory enhancements. Domino 8 comes with some much anticipated AdminP changes, Notes client deployment improvements, and streaming replication. This session will also highlight what is new in Domino 8 for System i.

COMMON Webcast
DB2 for i5/OS: Tuning for Performance
Speaker: Tom McKinley, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
How can you make your queries run faster? Over the last few years there have been many enhancements to DB2 that, when utilized, can significantly increase your performance. In addition there are many system settings and system values that affect query performance. Attend this session and find out how to get the most out of your database.

About the Speaker:
Tom is an IBM employee working in the DB2 for i5/ OS Center of Competency at Rochester MN. His main focus is complex query performance associated with Business Intelligence running on Very Large Databases. He worked as a developer or performance analyst in the DB area from 1986 until 2006. Some of his Major pieces of work include the Symmetric Multiple processing capabilities of DB2 for System i as well as Large Object Data types. In addition he was on the original team that designed and built the SQL Query Engine. Prior to Database he work on Licensed Internal Code for System 34 and System 36.

COMMON Webcast
Beyond Query/400 - DB2 Web Query for System i
Speaker: Gene Cobb, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
See the product that will replace Query/400. DB2 Web Query is a robust, extensible, and productive reporting solution. It will provide reporting and graphing assistants as well as a WYSIWYG "painter." DB2 Web Query will allow you to improve the look and functionality of your existing Query/400 reports. Would you like your Query output sent to a PDF file, what about to MS Excel? Would you like to see your existing reports formatted as graphs and charts? All this and more is possible with the new product. You can create new reports with slicing and dicing capabilities, you can enable your end users on the go to view and analyze their reports in disconnected mode.

DB2 Web Query is an end user reporting tool, that can be used effectively for operational or data warehouse reporting purposes. This session will include live demonstrations of creating reports, graphs and dashboards with this new product. Come and see what all the excitement and buzz is about.

COMMON Webcast
Introduction to WebSphere Portal Express
Speaker: Marcela Adan, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
WebSphere Portal Express offers collaboration, web content management, presence awareness and instant messaging in a single, easy-to-deploy solution. This presentation will provide an overview of the functions included in Portal Express 6.0 out of the box and how it can benefit your business. We will discuss the value of System i for Portal Express deployments.

About the Speaker:
Marcela Adan is a consultant IT specialist at the System i Technology Center (iTC) in Rochester, Minnesota. She leads the team responsible for accelerating the adoption of new online business technologies on the IBM System i platform. Marcela is also responsible for designing, planning and implementing early enablement, education and support programs that are aimed at facilitating the adoption of WebSphere, Portal and Lotus collaboration solutions on the System i platform. Marcela has held several positions in development, consulting, technical support and skills transfer. She is a frequent speaker at technical conferences and teaches IBM classes world wide. You can reach her at adan@us.ibm.com.

COMMON Webcast
IBM Announces V6R1
Speaker: Craig Johnson and George Farr, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
This webcast will describe how i5/OS V6R1 helps you to take the next step for efficient, resilient business processing.   You'll hear about some of the enhancements in this new release, such as

• how i5/OS will run in IBM BladeCenter
• how one i5/OS partition can host virtual storage for another partition
• new encryption capabilities
• enhanced Java performance
• enhanced performance with IBM storage area networks
• a new approach to Web-based systems management
• a major new disk clustering product

About the Speaker: Craig Johnson, i5/OS Product Manager, IBM Power Systems:
Craig is the Product Manager for i5/OS including open source and virtualization technologies on the System i platform.  He is responsible for understanding the market requirements, driving product enhancements, and delivering new product offerings.  Prior to joining the product management team, Craig was team leader in the AS/400 Competitive Marketing department.  Before moving to Rochester, Craig held numerous technical and management positions in the IBM sales organization.

About the Speaker: George Farr, Product Manager for System i Tools, Rational :
George Farr joined the IBM Toronto Laboratory in May 1985 and worked with the RPG development team for seven years where he developed many functions in the compiler. After spending a year with the AS/400 languages architecture and planning team he joined the visual development organization as the compiler development team leader for the first release of VARPG and later became the Visual RPG Development Manager. Currently he is the Technical Manager for all of the RPG compilers on the System i and Windows platforms. In addition, he is the technical development manager for a new generation of tooling based on the eclipse technology.

COMMON Webcast
Using iSeries Projects in WDSc
Speaker: Don Yantzi, IBM
An archived version is available free to all current members: go to www.common.org/memonly/webcasts/index.html
iSeries Projects is a feature of WDSC which provides a structured, project-based environment for developing native i5/OS applications on your local workstation. iSeries Projects shares a lot of the rich development features you’ve used with the Remote System Explorer. Developers typically use iSeries Projects to setup a more structured development environment, often with change management, and to work disconnected from the System i. Come learn how you can code with your RPG, COBOL, CL and DDS applications locally, track and compare recent changes made to the source, and use the built in capabilities of iSeries Projects to push changes to your i5/OS library and build your application.

About the Speaker:
Don Yantzi is one of the technical leads for WebSphere Development Studio Client for iSeries. He works at the IBM Toronto Lab and has been involved in the design and development of the Remote System Explorer. Don is a frequent speaker at System i user group meetings and conferences.