Ouch, ouch, ouch! Power Systems includes their extremely neat (architecturally, at least) AS/400 derived System i machines. Wonder how significant the loss in System z MIPS sold is, these machines are bought as much or more for I/O than raw CPU (which is I'm sure particularly expensive with these machines). For example, a lot of database queries/batch operations to get the set of all your credit and/or debit cards that did transactions at Target during the theft period.
To the extent everyone is moving to UNIX(TM) derivatives or using them exclusively in startups (OK, let's not forget Windows too), few learn at school System z and i stuff....
Well, I don't think much of the consulting business, but it's clear they had to do something, especially when pretty much everyone lost out to x86 for "big iron" in classic disruptive innovation style and as this move demonstrates they culturally can't compete in that market.
The System i was folded into the POWER server line along with System x (midrange unix) a few years ago. It seems like they're trying to kill both lines with one stone, sadly.
I could replace half my data center with a POWER box and manage the other half with it. Amazing machine if you ignore licensing...
Sadly, I'm old enough to remember the architectural beauty of the System/38, which is not to say I regard the AS/400 as new fangled rubbish. I treasure my copy of The Silverlake Project.
To the extent everyone is moving to UNIX(TM) derivatives or using them exclusively in startups (OK, let's not forget Windows too), few learn at school System z and i stuff....
Well, I don't think much of the consulting business, but it's clear they had to do something, especially when pretty much everyone lost out to x86 for "big iron" in classic disruptive innovation style and as this move demonstrates they culturally can't compete in that market.