9 Common Software Transfer Pitfalls
The purpose of this blog is to prepare you for common missteps that can happen during software transfers. My aim is to provide a clear understanding of these pitfalls to help prepare and prevent wasted time and energy.
Disclaimer: IBM i is an operating system. iSeries and AS400 are servers. I use these terms interchangeably to make it easy for folks to find this kind of information on the web.
There are 9 common snags you may encounter when you transfer your software (application, utilities, middleware, etc.). Double check to understand what is involved when you upgrade to a new OS level or change hardware server.
You must do your research!
Prepare your checklist to avoid these 9 common software transfer pitfalls.
Research Key Software Issues Before You Finalize Your Upgrade.
1. Transfer Fees? Will you be required to pay transfer, software tier, performance or other fees when you move your software from your current server to a new server with a different serial number? ISVs commonly charge a server transfer fee when you move to a different
serial number. Sometimes the fees are so huge that the project to move to a new server is cancelled. Find out what these fees may be before you commit to change servers…and to what extent they are negotiable.
2. Object Code Only? Some providers only provide object code so you must get the OS level specific software. For example, when you upgrade from V5R4 to V7R1, you will need to get V7R1 specific versions of software like TL Ashford (bar-code label printing) or Extol (EDI). Or, when you upgrade JD Edwards, you need the IBM PTFs and the JDE SARs to upgrade from V5R4 to V7R1.
3. Software Tier Price Change? When you move to a smaller server, some ISVs charge support fees based on your original server, such as moving from a P20 software tier server to a P10 software tier server. Find out what these fees may be before you commit to change servers…and to what extent they are negotiable.
4. IBM Licensed Program Products vs Passport Advantage—They ARE Different. Be aware that IBM has 2 categories of software. IBM offers both Licensed Program Products (LPP), and Passport Advantage software.
a. Examples of IBM LPP include IBM i OS, Query, DB2 Query and Rational Developer for i. For the most part, active IBM Software Maintenance (SWMA) will permit you access to software keys.
b. Passport Advantage software is a different source of IBM software whose support is NOT included with SMWA. Many IBM i users do not understand that SWMA does not allow access to software keys for products, like MQSeries. In addition to SWMA, the IBM i users need ongoing Passport support for access to version upgrades and software keys for newer servers.
5. Software You Don’t Use…or Need? Are you getting too much software or features you won’t use? Again, it takes an experienced “pro” who takes the time to understand needs and workload to review the IBM configuration tool in preparing your ideal configuration. The configuration tool defaults with suggested features and software that requires an experienced person to hunt down and delete. For example, many small-to-medium sized users will never have LPARs yet their configuration may include PowerVM and related SWMA that adds thousands of dollars to the overall cost that is simply wasted.
6. Off-Support Software? What will it cost to support software that is off-support? Many companies have decided to discontinue software support to save money. Then, years later, they discover they cannot get software keys to move their software to a newer server until they pay for discontinued support. It can feel like a ransom…and this renewal support cost may prevent moving to a newer server.
7. System Testing Before Production? What plans do you have to test your new version(s) of software on a new OS level without impacting production? Ideally, it makes sense to test your new system well before you go live without interfering with your daily production.
8. Backups Before Upgrade Process Is Started. Often, a substantial portion of daily backups do not capture everything needed for a full restore, even if there is also a 21 Save. Some clients don’t even do 21 saves. This is of particular concern when doing same server upgrades because without a complete backup, there is no way to revert if there are problems.
9. Backup Reliability. Tape is a single point of failure, so if there is something wrong with the tape or tape drive, there may not be a good backup. This is becoming more of an issue on older systems where the tape drives are wearing out, cleaning tapes are getting hard to find, and sometimes the same tape cartridges have been used for years, far exceeding the recommended number of passes by the manufacturer.
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