The AS/400 as a Business Solution

Even those who work on the AS/400 every day can lose sight of where the popular
computer fits into the overall scheme of business. Alan R. Arnold, senior
manager with Ernst & Young LLP Management Consulting, brings together the
leading authorities to explain the capabilities of one of the most misunderstood
systems ever introduced to the IT world—the IBM AS/400. You'll learn about
key industry trends that can affect your organization, important computer
technology components behind the trends, and the varied capacities in which the
AS/400 currently is serving business. For example, you'll explore the use of the
AS/400 database in EDI, data warehouses, business intelligence, and e-business.
You'll find out about the strengths of Lotus Domino and groupware on the AS/400,
how Microsoft's Windows NT Server can be integrated into the AS/400, and how the
AS/400 compares to NT servers—including system integration, security,
database integrity, multiple application server capability, the leveraging of
application investment, scalability, cost of ownership, and Year 2000 readiness.
You'll also find out how to strategically position your company to take
advantage of the power of Java. Find out more about how the AS/400 can help you
run your business and what business solution decision points must be considered
when developing a strategy for an IT solution.
Upon completion of this
book, you will be understand:

• Key industry trends that can affect your organization
  
• Important computer technology components behind the trends
  
• The varied capacities in which the AS/400 currently serves business
  
• The level of skills needed to support the AS/400 within the business
  environment
  
• Systems management on the AS/400: the ability to manage your system
  resources, have business-crucial information available quickly, keep your
  systems running, and predict systems growth in the fast-paced, dynamic business
  environment of today that can lead to competitive advantage
  
• The strengths of the AS/400 operating system and what value it brings to the
  business landscape
  
• Using the AS/400 database in EDI, data warehouses, business intelligence,
  and e-business to make data a revenue-enhancer that provides a competitive
  business advantage to an organization
  
• Security features that are integrated into the AS/400 and are essential to
  the conventional business, as well as the networked environment of e-business
  
• The reliability of the AS/400 as it relates to availability
  
• The 64-bit architecture of the AS/400 and why it is important as a business
  concern
  
• How the AS/400's commitment to speed, reliability, safety, and security
  makes e-business a viable solution for small to medium-sized businesses
  
• The differences between operational and analytical applications, the role
  the AS/400 plays in those environments, and how the AS/400 offer a solid, proven
  platform for enterprise data analysis
  
• The strengths of Lotus Domino and groupware on the AS/400
  
• How Microsoft's Windows NT Server can be integrated into the AS/400 to
  create a solid business case for the AS/400
  
• The basics of enterprise resource planning (ERP), including what it is and
  what its current and future role in the business world
  
• The integration of Java and how to strategically position your company to
  take advantage of the power of Java
  
• How the AS/400 compares to NT servers—including system integration,
  security, database integrity, multiple application server capability, the
  leveraging of application investment, scalability, cost of ownership, and Year
  2000 readiness
  
• What business solution decision points must be considered when developing a
  strategy for an IT solution