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COMMON (user group)

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This article is about a computer users' group. For other uses, see Common.
COMMON
Formation1960
Legal statusAssociation
PurposeEducation, resources, certification, networking
HeadquartersChicago, Illinois
Region served
Worldwide[1]
Official language
English
Board president
Justin Porter
Main organ
COMMON.CONNECT
AffiliationsIBM
Staff11
Websitewww.common.org

COMMON is the largest association of users of IBM Power Systems and IBM-compatible technology in the world.[2][3] Power Systems are midrange computers, a class between mainframes and microcomputers.[4] The users' group is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides education, tools, resources and networking opportunities for IBM i users. Members include users, IBMers, vendors, industry experts, recognized speakers, business leaders, and academics.[5]

History

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In 1969, the IBM System/3 became the first of IBM's mid-range computers,[6] following by the System/34 and System/36. The IBM System/38, announced in 1978, was not very successful but its architecture was the basis of the IBM AS/400,[7][8] released in 1988.[9] There were 250,000 AS/400s installed in businesses at the end of 1994[10] with a corresponding number of people supporting the operation of those computers. A strong culture and community grew up around the IBM platform in the three decades since the AS/400 was launched and underscores its' popularity and success.[11] The 1990s were the heyday of COMMON with thousands of members attending semi-annual educational conferences.

Financial problems

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The Late-2000s recession had a severe effect on COMMON activities. Event attendance, which had increased throughout the 1980s and 1990s, dropped substantially.[12] IT professionals were working longer hours and had smaller budgets for training and education, which resulted in COMMON changing from two conferences per year to one[12] and shortening the conference length from five days to four. Free attendance for volunteers was also eliminated and sponsorship was required for social events.[13]

Current status

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In the 2020s, over 100,000 organizations used mid-range computers.[14] Following a hiatus from COVID, bi-annual conferences resumed, as did additional educational offerings.[15] As of 2021, there were over 26,000 members in LinkedIn's group for AS/400 and iSeries professionals.[11]

Thousands of users have spent much, most or all of their careers using IBM i. A 2021 Forta poll showed 56% of respondents had over 30 years' experience with AS/400, many of whom would be retiring soon. Those who replace them will rely on user groups for education and help from peers, which was the reason Common was founded.[11][14]

As of 2020, the IBM midrange systems held a 36.3% market share, especially prevalent in critical industries such as banking, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and retail. Most enterprises depend on the AS400/iSeries/IBMi in these sectors, with most or all of their workload operating seamlessly on this system.[16]

The platform remains an important IBM product with a bright future. IBM releases new hardware/software versions every two or three years that make quantum advancements in functionality and processing power.[14] IBM makes new product announcements at Common events where users can ask IBM developers questions.[17]

In a 2021 survey of users, 43% were running most or all of their business applications on Power Systems. This reflects the platform's enduring legacy. Over half of those users expected to stay with their current hardware; a small percentage of users planned to move to another platform.[14]

Member resources

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Only members can utilize Common resources. Memberships can be acquired by individuals, company or user groups.[5]

A popular feature of membership is the Common Conference, held twice a year at varying locations in the US. The spring conference is named "POWERUp"; the fall conference is named "NAViGATE".[15] Nearly nine hours of educational sessions are scheduled each day; an exhibition expo is open on the second and third day, with about 40 vendors including IBM, offering software and hardware.[18]

Common schedules internet-based education, including Webcasts and Webinars. A Career Center for employers and job hunters.[19]

A new collaborative effort between COMMON and IBM has been launched. New 2 IBM i (N2i) seeks to help new IT professionals learn necessary skills and optimize the platform.[20]

Events

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Local user groups

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Disaster recovery to lead Common iSeries user group conference" Search/400, September 13, 2006
  2. ^ "Unique Community Launched by Most Loyal Group of Users in Server Industry". IBM Corporation. Retrieved 2006-09-18.
  3. ^ "COMMON". linkedin.com. Linkedin Inc. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  4. ^ Estabrooks, Maurice (1995). Electronic technology, corporate strategy, and world transformation. Westport, Conn.: Quorum Books. p. 53. ISBN 0899309690.
  5. ^ a b "Member benefits". common.org. Common. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  6. ^ Original System/3 Product Announcement
  7. ^ Frank G. Soltis (1997). Inside the AS/400, Second Edition. Duke Press. ISBN 978-1882419661.
  8. ^ Schleicher, David L. (2006-01-24). "An Interview with DAVID L. SCHLEICHER" (PDF). conservancy.umn.edu (Interview). Interviewed by Arthur L. Norberg. Charles Babbage Institute. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  9. ^ "A Brief History of the IBM AS/400 and iSeries" (PDF). 03.ibm.com. International Business Machines. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 May 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  10. ^ Korzenioski, Paul (14 February 1994). "AS/400 in the LAN environment". InfoWorld. p. 52.
  11. ^ a b c "60+ IBM i User Groups and Communities to Join". fortra.com. Fortra, LLC. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  12. ^ a b Morgan, Timothy Prickett: "Another AS/400 User Group Powers Down" Archived 2011-12-05 at the Wayback Machine The Four Hundred, October 27, 2008
  13. ^ Rosin, Leah: "COMMON board reveals financial situation at meeting of members" IT Knowledge Exchange, April 30, 2009
  14. ^ a b c d Huntington, Todd. "Is the AS/400 Dead?". Forta.com. Forta LLC. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  15. ^ a b c "Events". common.org. Common. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  16. ^ Khatri, Nirmal. "Everything You Need to Know About the AS400 iSeries (IBM i)". programmers.io. Programmers IO. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  17. ^ "Power E1080 IBM i Technology Refresh Announcement — September 8, 2021". common.org. Common. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  18. ^ "Conference at a Glance". common.org. Common. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  19. ^ Morgan, Timothy Prickett: "Common User Group Starts Midrange Career Center" Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine IT Jungle, April 14, 2006
  20. ^ "New to IBM i". Common.org. Common. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
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