System iNetwork

June 17, 2009

Top Concerns Released by COMMON Europe

The results of COMMON Europe's global annual Top Concerns survey are in: The survey showed that "Satisfy internal customers" and "Treat data security and confidentiality as a business risk" are the topmost concerns for worldwide Power System/System i or other IBM systems’ users. They are followed by "Improve IT security and continuity", "Receive consistent high quality service and support from vendors", "Keep the skills current for the existing staff", and "Make me grow as a more competent individual". Surprisingly, COMMON Europe notes, "Correctly measure the value of IT to business" and "Assure better datawarehousing" are 14 and 16 in a list of 16.

The survey gathered responses from 547 participants from Europe, Americas, and Australasia, including customers, IBM, and IBM Business Partners, and ISVs. Last year's survey had 379 participants.

Participants also expressed their concerns that were not listed in the survey, COMMON Europe reports. "Better marketing of the System i, System i survival" and "Modernize applications" were the most frequently cited unlisted concerns.

COMMON customer responses to current issues were:

1. IT running budgets in 2009: 39% decreased, 9% increased, 8% stable and 44% do not know
2. New projects investment 2009: 40% decreased, 12% increased, 11% stable and 36% do not know
3. Migrate in 2009 to IBM i 6.1: 9.0% already done, 4.2% ordered, 28.2% planned, 45.1% not yet, 7.6% not user and 5.9% no information
4. Migrate in 2009 to Power Systems: 23.9% already done, 1.7% ordered, 13.0% planned; 40.8% not yet; 14.1% not user and 6.5% no information
5. Migrate in 2009 to Blades with IBM i 6.1: 2.3% already done, 1.1% ordered, 4.5% planned, 56.6% not yet, 28.2% not user and 7.3% no information

Academically Speaking

COMMON Europe also held its first Top Academic Concerns Survey for IBM Academic Initiative participants. There have been 48 replies consisting of students and professors so far (special voting for Polish students is still continuing because of their temporary unavailability during the opening session). This special set of concerns was chosen by the students and staff of the Austrian and Polish Academic Initiative institutions, COMMON Europe reports.

The preliminary analysis shows that "Free academic System i certification (for students)" and "Recycle used systems for students (instead of destroying them)" are the topmost academic concerns for the participating students. They are followed by "Discounted IBM professional certifications for students", "Free or discounted attendance to conferences for students", and "Easier access to demo and training IBM Power Systems".

Posted by cmaxcer at June 17, 2009 9:40 AM