Common, the world`s largest group of users involved with IBM`s premier business computers, has announced a new online System i community in collaboration with users, students and partners.
The goal is to equip this group of users with the tools they need to better communicate with their peers and introduce more people to the `all-in-one` System i.
Craig Zieseniss, System i brand manager for IBM South and Central Africa, says iSociety aims to become the central meeting place for those who use, sell or want to learn more about the AS/400, iSeries or System i5, all of which make up the System i family of products.
"Users of this platform have a strong, long-term relationship with IBM and its partners, helping to influence the direction of the system`s technology and marketing through such forums as the Common educational conference, the Common Americas Advisory Group and the Large Users Group (LUG), which provide feedback and product requirements directly to IBM," Zieseniss says.
Beverly Russell, president of the Common Board of Directors, comments: "The reason that people are so loyal to solutions like System i is because they make their lives easier, providing a simple, easy-to-use solution that delivers on its promises while eliminating the complexity and security problems that hinder many IT departments."
iSociety will provide its members with services delivered through a number of Web sites operated by different constituents in the community. One example is a business and social networking site for iSociety members to network with their peers through chatting, visiting the job board and receiving training.
The Truth site is provided by IBM to connect System i users with peers who may be unfamiliar with the platform and seeking alternatives to Windows-based systems that add complexity. Here, System i users will share real experiences and stories that demonstrate the strengths of System i.
In addition, a System i information portal will aggregate content from a number of System i-focused publications and portals. There are also grassroots marketing sites designed to help the community demonstrate the benefits of System i. These sites aim to house materials to help users create viral flash videos, craft graphics and produce their own commercials as well as tools to explain the benefits of the System i to others.
As part of the community`s creation, IBM sponsored a team of students from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln who proposed ideas on what the community should provide its members. After three months of work, the team of four students presented its recommendations to Common and IBM. The majority of the team`s recommendations were included in the community, including the MySpace-like capabilities provided by Common`s business and social networking site.
iSociety will be available to all college and university students participating in the System i Academic Initiative, which provides thousands of students with education on up-to-date, in demand System i skills including PHP Web scripting and service-oriented architecture (SOA) implementation. In the future, Common plans to work with IBM to include iSociety in System i-focused coursework.
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