Glad to have you back for this week's IBM i news roundup! This week we are looking at the importance of SQL, becoming more aware of the cloud, and more service for IBM i. But First...

Our own Ted Holt had another great article for IT Jungle on Sorting Options For CYYTOIMPF. Check out Ted's insight in the link below:

Source: https://www.itjungle.com/2017/03/27/guru-sorting-options-cpytoimpf/

Birgitta Hauser Discusses the Importance of SQL

by Paul Tuohy 

This interview with Birgitta and Paul talk about the importance of SQL and what it means to developers of the IBM i. Birgitta talks about the top reasons why SQL is so important to the relationship with RPG and how it can benefit developers in their use of RPG.

"SQL itself is very important because everything, all of our information, is stored somewhere in the database or somewhere—and SQL allows me to get fast access on my data. My first job I ever had, I was a controller and I had to use the data, I had to combine them, had to read them, had to prepare them for my manager, and in that first job I found out I had to Query/400 authority. Then I made all the reports, etc., with this query and yes, it starts my love and so I go on. I started programming RPG but I learned very fast to write embedded SQL programs. On the i SQL is very important while very powerful. We can use a big bunch of scalar functions. We can do almost everything with SQL and it facilitates the programming so I could reduce my RPG codes from 1,500 statements to 50 statements because I use SQL. So we can combine data, we can join them, we can merge them; we can accumulate them. There are a lot of things that are possible and the most important thing is the data. It is not the end of this that is the data. We need access to the data and we need fast access to the data. That's why SQL is so important." - Birgitta Hauser 

Below is the entire interview for you to listen too or read. 

Source: http://www.ibmsystemsmag.com/ibmi/trends/iTALK-WITH-TUOHY/Birgitta-Hauser/

Becoming More Cloud Minded

by mindSHIFT Technologies

Over the last few years the storage of data for business has changed dramatically. With the introduction of cloud based technologies, business' are rethinking their storage needs and are contemplating using secure servers located at an off-site data center. Some of the primary reasons business want to move to the cloud are:

• Saving money and making shared computing costs more predictable
• Providing immediate and secure access to shared computing resources
• Enhanced productivity

Profound.js can give you a chance to connect your legacy RPG to a cloud based server to make the transition much easier.

Source: http://www.mindshift.com/Blog/2017/March/Becoming-Cloud-Minded.aspx

IBM i Shops Seeking More Services

by Dan Burger

Managed service providers (MSP's) provide services for companies, but recently IBM i shops have been stepping up their needs and use of MSP's. Some services include:

• Backup
• Recovery
• Modernization
• Interface graphics

The continue growth of MSP's for IBM i shops allow these shops to reinvent how their business' operate and look. MSP's in the IBM i world are still a bit fragmented, but are forcasted to grow more and more and are what the IBM i shops need. "Value-added resellers a little farther down the channel are now seeing that services are proving to be what IBM i shops want." - Jim Kandrac, president of UCG Technologies

One of our focuses for 2017 is the continued adoption of Node.js in IBM i shops. Click here to read our white paper on Why Node.js Is The Solution Your Company Needs.

And there, you're all caught up! Sounds like we have an interesting 2017!