As 2022 comes to a close, Arbor Solutions wanted to share with you the highlights of IBM’s recent survey within the IBMi marketplace. If you are interested in reading the full published survey, you can find it here. SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS: A look at the overall conclusions from this year’s survey: IBM i IN THE DATA…
Is “new/open box” the same as “new”?
The Background: In a previous post, we took an overall look at the “used hardware” option for IT purchases. I reviewed the reasons for buying used and presented some concerns and considerations. One alternative option is the “new/open box” hardware. In this post, I will dive a bit deeper into this option, as well as…
Why should I buy new hardware when used is less money?
The Background: At least once a month, I get a customer request to compare pricing of “new” versus “used” hardware. Often this will be purely looking for a lower price, but it can also be due to needing features no longer available new. While the comparison can appear simply a price issue, other contributing factors…
Are there alternatives to IBM maintenance?
The Background: When working with customers on renewing their IBM hardware or software maintenance, the question often comes up “are there alternatives to IBM maintenance”? Customers who have been with IBM maintenance for decades will have a history and trust with IBM only, while newer generations of IT leaders will look at what else is…
Does IBM offer maintenance in “less than 1 year” increments?
The Background: During any given year, customers ask us to quote IBM hardware or software maintenance in “less than 1 year” increments. The request might be for invoicing monthly, quarterly, or twice a year – but something less than a full 1-year commitment. This can also be due to the customer moving off an older…