Having participated in many board meeting debates over the years about the best place to hold meetings of the Baltimore/Washington Db2 Users Group, it’s a bit sad to learn that the 2021 IDUG North America Conference is already being planned as a virtual event, with the possibility of an in-person component.  Let’s hope we can all get together sometime in 2021!

In the meantime, it’s certainly worth noting that with so many people working remotely, many conferences and users groups have actually been quite successful adopting a virtual format.  Some changes resulting from the transition from in-person to virtual events are welcome improvements.  One of these is the more flexible session scheduling IDUG is offering.  I think it’s great, as one-size-fits-all is difficult to accommodate with technical topics.

To the many people I’ve spoken to who have said they have a topic but aren’t sure they have enough (or maybe have too much) material, IDUG 2021 may be a great option as, new this year, IDUG is offering three different presentation timeslots—30, 60, and 120 minutes. You can choose what length works best for you. You can also opt out of the live session and instead pre-record your presentation. To help inspire you, here are some of the most popular session categories:

New Db2 releases: migrating and effective usage
Analytics & Business Intelligence
New technologies: mobile applications, cloud, XaaS, etc.
Application development and data modelling
Db2 and packaged applications (ERP, etc.)
Performance, availability, & security
User experiences and best practices: what did you achieve with Db2?
Db2 and non-standard data types (JSON, etc.)

This is your chance to share your technical expertise and connect with the global community of Db2 users. If you’ve never presented at an IDUG event, this is a great opportunity. First-time speakers are always welcome, as is material geared toward beginner, intermediate, or advanced users.

To submit an abstract, visit IDUG at:  https://www.idug.org/p/cm/ld/fid=2495

I hope to “see” you at IDUG 2021!

Announcing the new Mid-Atlantic Db2 for z/OS Users Group!

With COVID-19 forcing Regional Users Groups (RUGs) to transition from in-person to virtual meetings, and with the support of the International Db2 Users Group and hearing about their regional affiliates’ success with virtual meetings, Frank and I decided to give a new virtual group a try.  We look forward to supporting the Db2 community with technical content that enables our System Z colleagues to remain active and valued contributors to the use of technology within their organizations.

Please join us for our first meeting! Register here.

September 17, 2020, from 10:00am-2:00pm EDT, will be the first virtual meeting of the System Z-focused Mid-Atlantic Db2 Users Group. The new group hopes to bring interesting, educational, and current technical presenters and sessions to mainframe users located in the Mid-Atlantic region. With a virtual format the meeting location, venue, commute time and lunch selection challenges disappear, so everyone from everywhere is welcome!

For this first meeting we will have three technical presentations and one brief interactive, bring-your-own-ideas session. The three technical sessions all focus on IBM’s efforts to use tools and technologies to support mainframe modernization. No, this is not another session on a magic code converter; these are proven tools and technologies available today that speed deployments and leverage the mainframe’s powerful resources to drive better and faster data access and new application development.

Presentations will be delivered by IBM’s Elton de Souza, Clark Hale and Andrew Austin of Red Hat, and Frank Fillmore of The Fillmore Group. The agenda, abstracts and speaker bio’s are below.

Agenda: Thursday, September 17, 2020

10:00 – 10:10 Welcome and Introductions
10:10 – 11:15 Containers, Cloud Paks, OpenShift – What Mainframers Should Know
11:15 – 11:20 Break
11:20 – 11:35 The New Replication Monitoring Tool Interactive Session – BYOI (Bring Your Own Ideas)
11:35 – 12:40 Red Hat OpenShift on System Z
12:40 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 01:50 Mainframe Modernization – Field Notes
01:50 – 02:00 Q&A and Wrap Up

Sessions
Containers, Cloud Paks, OpenShift – What Mainframers Should Know, Elton de Souza, IBM
In this presentation IBM Chief Architect and Wizard Elton de Souza will cover the value proposition of OpenShift on IBM Z from a technical and business standpoint. Elton will also cover integration points between OpenShift and zOS services and data sources.

Red Hat OpenShift, Clark Hale & Andrew Austin, Red Hat
Red Hat OpenShift is the industry’s most secure and comprehensive enterprise-grade container platform. This presentation will explain what OpenShift is, what value it can provide to your organization, and a brief demo of its operation. Special focus will be given to the System Z release of OpenShift.

Mainframe Modernization – Field Notes, Frank Fillmore, The Fillmore Group
Frank recently served as the System Z specialist for a mainframe modernization project led by a team from Red Hat. The goal was to develop a modernization template to be shared with other mainframe customers to accelerate the effort by incorporating the best tools and technologies available today. The customer struggles with a familiar list of challenges: legacy applications developed over decades, data in VSAM and Db2, and incomplete data, the result of a recent merger. Several approach and solution options were explored. Join Frank while he discusses how IBM’s acquisition of Red Hat is transforming how mainframe modernization is being approached – and realized.

Speaker Bio’s

Elton de Souza, IBM
Elton de Souza is the Chief Architect for Cloud Native Client Success focusing on IBM Z and LinuxONE. Since OpenShift GA’d on IBM Z in Feb 2020, Elton has helped several clients across various sectors and geographies implement RHOCP on IBM Z and LinuxONE. He’s spent almost his entire career on IBM Z starting from the Java compiler for Linux and zOS to working on Open Source Solutions (MongoDB, node.js, Spark, Docker, Kubernetes, etc.) to IBM Cloud Private and now Red Hat OpenShift on IBM Z.

Clark Hale, Red Hat
Clark Hale is a Senior Consulting Architect at Red Hat. With a focus on OpenShift and “cloud native” technologies, he specializes in assisting companies adopt modern technology and development practices. Before joining Red Hat, he was a multi-language developer (COBOL, C, Java) at Lowes Companies and an OpenSource Advocate at SUN Microsystems.

Andrew Austin, Red Hat
Andrew Austin is a Senior Architect with Red Hat Consulting’s Cloud Infrastructure Practice. His focus is on delivering solutions based on Red Hat OpenShift on the IBM Z platform as well as distributed systems.

Frank Fillmore, The Fillmore Group
Frank is founder and president of The Fillmore Group, an IBM Business Partner specializing in IBM database solution sales and services. Frank is an IBM System Z Gold Consultant and IBM Champion, as well as an IBM authorized instructor and frequent presenter at users group meetings and conferences. Frank leads a team of expert consultants delivering IBM solution implementation and enablement support services.

The proliferation of webinars and events transitioning to virtual meetings is getting hard to keep up with, and maybe some of the event fatigue is a result of an explosion of invitations.  Some events are, however, not to be missed, and one of these is the annual North America International Db2 Users Group (IDUG) conference, scheduled for next week.

Due to the change from an in person to virtual format, IDUG is offering a generous premium membership to everyone who registers for the virtual conference (which is only $199!!) and will allow attendees to view all session recordings and content.

Imagine attending a conference where you can attend ALL sessions, and not spend hours trying to figure out how minimize schedule conflicts and get from one end of the conference center to the other (and get something to drink and hit the restroom) in 10 minutes.  Pretty sweet!

If you haven’t registered yet, consider it.  The session information and keynotes are on the IDUG homepage (www.idug.org), along with the registration link.  Also, if you’ve read this far – I understand IBM still has some remaining vouchers available so customers can attend (as a guest of IBM)…call your IBM rep if you’re interested!

From the webpage:

The event will include 60+ dynamic sessions, live Q&A with industry experts and leaders, opportunities for engagement with your favorite vendors and each other, and most importantly, cutting-edge technical education streaming straight to your home or office. Your registration also includes a complimentary premium membership so you can access exclusive IDUG content all year long.

Join the Mid-Atlantic Db2 LUW user group members – and more! – for a virtual meeting coordinated by IBM Hybrid Data Manager Technical Sales Specialist and user group supporter extraordinaire Kay Groski this coming Wednesday, June 10th.  “And more!” means, of course, that anyone from any users group (or not) is welcome to join.  Please do!

Kay has scheduled Db2 Offering Manager Karthik Gopalakrishnan to introduce Db2 v11.5.4 aka “Nebula”. Karthik’s team is also working to deliver a series of webinars detailing the new features included in Nebula. The schedule for these sessions and details are below.

For next week’s Virtual RUG:

Topic: Db2 Virtual RUG Meeting June 2020
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Time: 2:00pm – 3:15pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Meeting address: ibm.biz/June2020RUG
Program registration password: Db2RUG

The follow-on sessions will provide additional detail on specific new features.  Sessions currently scheduled are below.  For speakers, agenda and registration details go to:  http://ibm.biz/db2webinar[ibm.biz]

Overview of Db2 Editions
Overview of Db2 Editions and Entitlement migration paths from older editions to new.
June 9, 2020

Strategy and Roadmaps
Overview of Db2’s strategic direction and future Roadmap.
June 11, 2020

Container Strategy
Overview of Db2’s Containerization Strategy for Docker and Red Hat Open Shift.
June 16, 2020

Developer Features
Overview of Db2 REST Service, Python UDF and Drivers.
June 18, 2020

Unpacking 11.5.4
Deep Dive into Db2 Nebula release. We will go through exciting new features.
June 23, 2020

Graph Database
Deep Dive into Db2 Graph Capabilities.
June 25, 2020

Machine Learning
Deep Dive into Db2’s Machine Learning capabilities.
June 30, 2020

Enterprise Features
Deep Dive into Db2’s new Enterprise readiness capabilities.
June 30, 2020

I can’t say I’m too disappointed to be taking a break from conference travel and post conference exhaustion, and it’s refreshing to see the creative changes facilitated by the mass transition to virtual events. Given that the primary goal of these events, whether in person or virtual, is to share technical announcements and updates, it seems either format can be successful.  And of course, each has its pros and cons.

When this is all over, however, I look forward to reconnecting – in person – with friends and colleagues to share technical updates.  Along with dinner and drinks!!

With a virtual “Cheers!” to everyone, here is a list of current and upcoming Db2 events:

1. Going on NOW – Enterprise Data & AI on IBM Z Virtual Symposium, May 19, 20, 21
This complimentary virtual event will explain how to use IBM Z data for modern engagement, analytics and AI applications to become truly insights-driven. Please note: you must register to access copies of all replays.

Register here: http://ibm.biz/BdqvcX

2. July – IDUG Virtual Db2 Tech Conference, July 20, 21, and 23
This three-day event will be followed by three additional weeks of IDUG conference content, making this the perfect way to access the cutting-edge sessions of an IDUG event directly from your home or office.

Conference registration also comes with complimentary, year-long premium membership to IDUG, enabling full access to IDUG exclusive articles, blogs, presentations, and forums.

Cost: $199
Register here: https://www.idug.org/e/in/eid=109

3. August – SHARE Boston, dates TBD
In an effort to continue to provide education, networking and influence, SHARE Boston will now be a virtual event. SHARE is looking to deliver opportunities to learn and network with peers in this new format. Stay tuned to the SHARE website for updates.

More information: https://event.share.org/

4. Db2 LUW Virtual Users Group – July, date TBD
IBM’s Db2 LUW coordinator extraordinaire Kay Groski is working to schedule speakers and topics so the groups she started in 2018 (including the Mid-Atlantic group I attend) can extend their reach by going virtual – at least for a while. As details are confirmed I will share more here.

This Thursday, April 30th, join Frank Fillmore for a fast, information-packed webinar, loaded with IBM replication solution information for both non-IBM and IBM replication customers.  Come join us and learn!  Details and the registration link are in the post below.

Please join us for a webinar Thursday, April 30th, on IBM replication:

45 Minutes to Understand IBM Replication – Sources & Targets, Lower Latency, Costs  

The webinar is intended for technical teams currently not using IBM replication solutions, although the webinar content will provide an excellent overview of IBM’s current offerings – an excellent refresher and update for IBM replication customers.  Hey, it’s a webinar – anyone can attend!!

Abstract:  Technical organizations rely on replication to deliver accurate data when its needed. IBM replication supports an extensive list of sources and targets – including legacy mainframe data repositories – as well as best of breed deployment models and specialty replication solutions.

If your organization is considering a new replication deployment or looking to replace your existing replication to extend functionality – or reduce cost – please join IBM Gold Consultant Frank C. Fillmore, Jr., for a webinar overview of IBM’s replication offerings.

The webinar will cover:

1. The sources and targets supported by IBM replication.
2. Each solution available today, and their costs.
3. Latency, deployment and administrative considerations.

Date:          Thursday, 4/30/2020

Time:          11:00am – 12:00pm EDT

Register HERE 

Presenter:  Frank Fillmore

Frank C. Fillmore, Jr. is the Founder and President of The Fillmore Group, Inc., an IBM Business Partner specializing in replication solutions in the IBM Data and Analytics portfolio. Frank has been a Db2 Gold Consultant since 1998 and is currently an IBM Champion for both Analytics and System z. Frank frequently presents on cutting-edge topics at regional and international user group meetings and is an IBM authorized instructor for delivery of replication courses including Q Replication, ICDC and pureScale.  Frank leads a team of expert consultants delivering presales, implementation and enablement support to IBM replication customers.

Want to learn more about the Gold Consultants?  Visit the IBM Gold webpage HERE.

With 2020 off to a positive start for Db2 12 there are two current events I hope are on your radar.

First, IDUG is supporting an effort to create a new Db2 12 certification, led by IBM Gold Consultant and Champion Dan Luksetich, who also manages the Db2-L listserv.  A survey was created to gather responses to the specific technical issues the community considers important.  If you have time to complete the survey and contribute, it is much appreciated by the IBM community.  Take the survey here.  And of course, if you aren’t already monitoring (or better yet, contributing to!) Db2-L, sign-up.  It’s easy and free – Db2-L.

Second, IBM is offering a week-long Db2 Master Class for advanced Db2 for z/OS system and database administrators clients, led by Distinguished Engineer, John Campbell.  John will be joined by Adrian Burke and Michael Dewert. The US-based session will be held at IBM Silicon Valley Laboratory (SVL), Monday, September 28 (8 am) to Friday, October 2, 2020 (2:30 pm), in San Jose, California.  The complete outline is attached.

Participants will meet the Db2 for z/OS development team – visit the incredible people whose work is known worldwide!

If you are interested in attending this class, fill in and submit the application form.  Class is a client-only course, participation is BY INVITATION only, and seating is very limited.  Applications will be reviewed and acceptance notices will be emailed.  Apply HERE.

A registration link with payment instructions will be included in the invitation. If you have any questions, please contact Dorothy Lin (dclin@us.ibm.com)

There are pre-requisites, and attendees must have at least 1 of the following certifications (or the equivalent experience level):
– IBM Certified System Administrator – Db2 for z/OS
– IBM Certified Database Administrator – Db2 for z/OS

Cost
$2,500 USD per client participant
Client participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and meal expenses
A registration link with payment instructions will be included in the invitation.

Db2 for z 2020 Master Class Summary and Outline

The next Mid-Atlantic Db2 Users Group meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2019 at IBM in Bethesda.  There are some great speakers lined up and exciting topics – see the full agenda below.  The meeting is free, so please share the invitation with anyone you know who may be interested.  And of course, please join us!

Date:  Thursday, December 5, 2019

Time:  9:30am – 2:45pm

Location:  IBM, 6710 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD  20817

Registration:*  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mid-atlantic-winter-db2-luw-users-group-registration-82353671047

*Pre-registration is required to enter the building – don’t forget!

Agenda:

9:30am -10:30 SESSION 1
My Favorite Db2 Problem Determination Tricks presented by Pavel Sustr
10:30 -1045 BREAK
10:45 -11:45 SESSION 2
IBM Cloud Pak for Data presented by Brad Rowen
11:45 – 12:45 – Networking Lunch
12:45 – 1:45 SESSION 3
Table Space Odyssey presented by Pavel Sustr
1:45 – 2:00 BREAK
2:00-2:45 SESSION 4
Db2 Augmented Data Explorer Demo by Kay Groski

If your organization is considering a year end CDC acquisition and plan a 2020 implementation, consider training and services from The Fillmore Group to accelerate your success.  The Fillmore Group is working to update the IBM Change Data Capture curriculum – course KM020G – adding optional sessions covering replication to Kafka and replication to and from PostgreSQL.  Please note: customers purchasing replication licenses prior to year end may qualify for free PostgreSQL or Kafka education.  Contact me if you are interested.

In addition, our team is also ready to assist with replication Quickstart services.  A TFG consultant will help your organization leverage the best features and functionality available in the IBM replication product family – quickly!

Training
2/3/20 – 2/5/20 Change Data Capture Essentials.  Prepare for planning, installing, managing and monitoring IBM replication with this IBM training class, KM020G.  Cost:  $2775.  View the course outline: KM020G Change Data Capture Essentials

2/6/20 – 2/6/20 CDC New Features – Kafka and PostgreSQL.  These 1/2 day sessions are designed to extend the KM020G class material with topics specific to Kafka and PostgreSQL replication.  Cost:  $350.  Outline: Kafka and PostgreSQL Replication Class Module Abstracts

Services

• Kafka Quickstart.  Leverage expert technical assistance for a successful implementation.  Overview: Kafka Replication Quickstart.
• PostgreSQL Quickstart.   The Fillmore Group’s PostgreSQL delivers a skilled consultant to work with your team to plan and execute a successful replication implementation.  View the offering summary: Postgres Capture Quickstart.
• Remote Capture Quickstart.  Work with a skilled replication expert to apply this new offering in your environment with services to help you design, install and administer replication away from System z, reducing MIPs consumption and lowering System z  data replication costs. View the offering summary: Remote Capture Quickstart.

Through a partnership with TechData, one of IBM’s select global training providers, The Fillmore Group delivers authorized training for the design, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of IBM Analytics solutions. This partnership allows The Fillmore Group to leverage the award winning IBM technical training content that is exclusive to IBM’s global training providers.