While there are many indications the “Great Recession” is over, the budget lag and fear of one last dip seems to be constraining IT project funding - EXCEPT - of all places, training.  While this seems perfectly logical (when there are fewer hands to do the work, making sure those hands are skilled is critical), historically, training budgets are the first to be cut when there’s a downturn.  Maybe organizations are wising up this time around…here at The Fillmore Group we are receiving more training requests than anytime in the past five years.  Read More…

My colleague, Kim May, was interviewed at last year’s IBM Information On Demand Conference.  If “brevity is the soul of wit”, Kim’s summary of The Fillmore Group’s philosophy and the value of the IOD conference is soulfully witty indeed!

Kudos to Kim.

I’ve been seeing a lot of an old friend lately: DB2 Connect.  This is the software which enables Distributed Relational Database Architecture (DRDA) Application Requestor (AR) or “client” applications running on Linux, Unix, and Windows platforms to access DB2 ”host” databases on System z and System i.  More precisely, DB2 Connect accesses an Application Server (AS) which can be DB2 for z/OS, DB2 Server for VSE&VM, or DB2 for i (Wait, shouldn’t that be DB2 for “me”?)

What we know today as DB2 Connect started out almost 20 years ago as Distributed Database Connection Services (DDCS).  Then it was amazing to access host DB2 data using a spreadsheet.  Of course it took an experienced consultant a few weeks to install and configure DDCS and it’s supporting software which relied on the Systems Network Architecture (SNA) communications protocol.  It was so difficult, The Fillmore Group had a services offering called “Client/Server in 10 Days” where we guaranteed to get DDCS working in your shop in two weeks.  Now you can install and configure DB2 Connect using TCP/IP in about an hour.

So what does DB2 Connect actually do?  At its most basic, DB2 Connect is a protocol converter that changes the character coding on the host (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code or EBCDIC) into the equivalent used on Linux, Unix, and Windows platforms (American Standard Code for Information Interchange or ASCII).  It does lots of other things and can be a source of lots of troubleshooting and performance tuning, but EBCDIC to ASCII translation is a core function.

So what’s happening lately?  First, after a few years of no publicly available training in DB2 Connect, The Fillmore Group is holding classes: CF602 “DB2 Connect 9 to DB2 for z/OS DRDA Implementation with TCP/IP” and CF632 “DB2 Connect 9 for DB2 for z/OS Problem Determination and Performance”.  The CF602 beginning June 21 is actually nearing capacity, so if this is something you need, sign up to attend now.  CF632 starts May 17.

As a bonus, I’ve attached a DB2 Connect configuration worksheet.  If you know what it all means and can use it right away, great!  Have at it.  If not, we’ll see you in class.

Second, on the consulting side of the house we’re seeing lots of DB2 Connect activity - especially with DB2 for i.  Having a relational database directly integrated into the i5/OS operating system, System i always has been a bit of a land unto itself.  Now we’re seeing lots of activity integrating System i data into eCommerce and Business Intelligence applications.  If this is what you’re doing, let us know how we can help.

I am happy to announce the return of distance learning to The Fillmore Group.  Our team developed and implemented a proprietary distance learning tool, built using a combination of WebSphere and DB2, with the free RealPlayer plug-in providing the ability to deliver streaming instructor audio and video, after the events of 9/11 made traveling for DB2 training a challenge.  Over the years we perfected the distance learning tool’s use and used it to deliver training to hundreds of people around the world - who would otherwise not have been able to attend classes.

A couple years ago IBM’s Information Management training group began evaluating distance learning technologies and limiting their use as they have been trying to find a methodology they can use consistently.   But progress hasn’t been as fast as anyone hoped, so the training team has given us the approval to again offer the public classes we deliver for IBM via distance learning.  Starting with the three classes below students can enroll in the IBM classes, use the same curriculum and lab exercise portal as the students in class, and “see and hear” the instructor lecture on the materials.  If you don’t have a travel budget, you can still join us for class!

Coming up soon are the following courses:

CE821, Using InfoSphere Data Architect, starting March 1

CF602, DB2 Connect for z/OS with DRDA, starting March 8

DW352, InfoSphere Warehouse Components, starting March 15

For course outlines and registration information go to www.ibm.com/training

It’s exciting to see business starting to heat up, particularly with the IOD Conference approaching.  One of my annual goals at the IOD Conference is to try to get more attention paid to the need for technical training in the DB2 world.  I am forever amazed at the excessive funding that goes into marketing faster/cooler/ better technologies and how little goes into teaching the DBAs expected to use them.  The “solution” everyone seems to be waiting for is some sort of e-learning that eliminates the need to travel and the need to “waste” any potentially productive business time learning…as if learning weren’t the best use of time to make one’s organization more productive. 

I finally decided to spend some time getting myself set-up to access the only IBM Information Management courses available through the free Learner Portal.  Read More…

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate my colleague, Kim May, on being named an IBM Data Champion.
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/champion/profiles/may.html

Kim started with The Fillmore Group a little over four years ago with a background in Java application development services and Microsoft desktop and applications training. From a standing start, she has become an expert on the IBM Information Management software portfolio. Moreover, she has been a tireless evangelist for IBM IM training: she developed and promoted *free* webcasts delivered via the International DB2 Users Group and launched the Baltimore/Washington DB2 Users Group Linux, Unix, Windows track.

Kim has also established The Fillmore Group as an IBM Authorized Training Partner for in-depth for-fee classroom education.
IBM Authorized Training

Take a moment to give Kim a well-deserved shout out at kim.may@thefillmoregroup.com

For more information on the IBM Data Champions Program, go to
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/champion

The Information Management training team, led by Mike Agostino and Jim Jackson, recently instituted a program to enable Frank Fillmore, as a DB2 Gold Consultant, to obtain IBM authorized course curriculum for private class delivery.  What this means to DB2 customers is that IBM has created an alternate source from which to obtain DB2 training, which should encourage everyone delivering training to sharpen their pencils to keep pricing competitive, and at the same time raise the level of delivery quality by welcoming seasoned speakers and consultants like Frank back into the business of IBM Information Management training.  Listed below are some of the courses available - the complete list is on our website at www.thefillmoregroup.com under the training link.  I will blog on the rest of the list when I have time for the typing!

CE030 DB2 Family Fundamentals, CE120 SQL Workshop, CE130 DB2 SQL Workshop for Experienced Users, CE242 Using Q-Replication, CE820 Using Rational Data Architect, CF180 Relational Database Design, DW145 Data Replication: Basic Usage (SQL Replication), DW154 Data Replication: Advanced Topics (SQL Replication), DW030 Changing Business with Data Insight, DW112 Architecting the Data Warehouse, DW314 Alphablox Essentials with Blox Builder, DW321 Managing Workloads for DB2 LUW and Infosphere Warehouse, DW351 Infosphere Warehouse 9 Components, DW820 Advanced Data Warehousing Workshop: Multi-Dimensional Modeling, DWA51 Infosphere Warehouse 9 - SQL Warehouse Tool and Admin Console, DWB51 Infosphere Warehouse 9 - Cubing Services, DWC51 Infosphere Warehouse 9 - Data Mining and Unstructured Text Analysis, CF242 DB2 9 for LUW Multi-Partition Database Administration, CF492 DB2 9 for LUW Advanced Recovery, CF602 DB2 Connect DRDA Implementation with TCP/IP, CF632 DB2 Connect 9 for z/OS Problem Determination and Performance, CF710 DB2 9 Stored Procedures Programming Workshop, CG100 Using xQuery to Query XML Data with DB2, CG130 Query and Manage XML Data with DB2 9, CG242, DB2 for LUW Multi-Partition Environment for Single Partition DBAs…and more coming soon!