Top 20 Companies in the IT Training Industry!

It’s the holiday season around the world and it is also close of business time and schedules are tight, so thanks for stopping in to see what IBM Systems Lab Services and Training is doing.

This week we are featuring our training team that was named one of the Top 20 Companies in the IT Training Industry for the second year in a row. IBM Training was included in this prestigious list by the Training Industry Inc. , an external industry association. An excerpt from the article says, "The 'Top 20' list recognizes the leading training outsourcing companies for their high quality of services and comprehensive capabilities. All have demonstrated expertise and experience in managing major BPO engagements as well as creating a significant impact on the industry." Selection to this year's  Top 20 Companies in the IT Training Industry was based on the following criteria:

•    Commitment to the IT training industry 
•    Industry recognition and innovation
•    Talent of corporate leadership and professional staff
•    Revenue generated or company size
•    Potential for growth in IT training services
•    Strength of clients
•    Demonstrated leadership in shaping the IT training Industry
•    Geographic reach

Save the dates for 2010!

Attend IBM Technical Conferences with your clients - It's Time Well-Spent
Many of our customers choose IBM Technical Conferences as their top source for technical knowledge. Therefore, attending a conference with your client is a great way to influence their technology decision. Listen to an IBM Technical Conference podcast and learn firsthand what customers are saying.

• IBM System Storage Technical University
  (formerly known as the IBM System Storage Symposium)
  
  
• IBM System x Technical University
  (formerly known as the IBM System x and BladeCenter Technical Conference)
  
  
• IBM System z Technical University
  (formerly known as the IBM System z Expo)
  
  
• IBM Power Systems Technical University
  

Guaranteed to Run Courses starting week of 12/07/2009

IBM Power p

• Implementing POWER6, Virtualization and AIX 6.1 for POWER5/AIX 5L Administrators
• AIX 5L System Administration III: Performance Management
• System p LPAR and Virtualization II: Implementing Advanced Configurations
• System p LPAR and Virtualization I: Planning and Configuration
• AIX System Administration I: Implementation
  
• AIX System Administration II: Problem Determination
• AIX Basics
  

IBM Power i 

• System Operator Workshop for IBM i
• Backup and Recovery Media Services (BRMS) for System i
• Control Language Programming Workshop for System i
• SAP Solutions on System i (Implementation and Operation)
• System Operator Workshop for System i - ILO
• Hardware Management Console (HMC) for System i - ILO
• RPG IV Programming Fundamentals Workshop for IBM I -ILO

IBM System Storage

• Introduction to Storage Networking
• Hands On Technical Training for DS4000
• Supporting and Maintaining the DS5000 Series

IBM System z 

• An Introduction to the z/OS Environment
• System z Virtualization (zVM and Linux)
• zSeries Parallel Sysplex Operations
• System z10 Hardware Update
• GDPS/PPRC Implementation Workshop
• System z Networking Technologies Update
• z/OS Version 1 Release 10

Is it time to ask for our assistance? We are here to help, read how!

Here we go again, bringing the latest and greatest on what IBM Systems Lab Services and Training is doing for clients to assist with their IT needs. Send us your feedback to let us know how we are doing and what you would like to see in this blog. Enjoy!

Sparkplugs – Our teams in action!

Needed z/VM training—IBM made sure they were covered!

A leader in health care needed to enhance their employees’ IBM z/VM skills and approached IBM about onsite training.  IBM worked with the client to customize their z/VM training so that it met the specific needs of their employees and held sixteen classes in the third quarter, with four more scheduled for the fourth quarter. The client took advantage of their IBM Education Pack online account to purchase this training.

The Storage Optimization Study hit the mark 100%
IBM Systems Lab Services and Training, Storage Services, conducted a Storage Optimization Study to analyze a major financial institution's IT storage environment and make recommendations to more effectively control costs and manage growth in an environment containing approximately 1.1 PB of external formatted storage.  The client was facing significant challenges with rapid growth of storage, limited headcount, poor use of tools, lack of visibility into the use of storage, and a complex environment with many types of storage hardware and software.

The Storage Optimization Study was conducted as the front-end of a comprehensive Global Storage Solutions (GSS) effort in partnership with Global Technology Services Strategic Outsourcing, IBM Novus and STG Platform Sales.  Using six key storage management practice areas, the IBM team identified issues, evaluated the current environment, and developed recommendations to optimize the storage architecture.  The team developed a financial business case with benefits, and documented next steps for implementing the proposed recommendations.

A key Senior Vice President of the company that attended the final report presentation stated that “The Storage Optimization Study hit the mark 100% of where we need to be to get us to the next steps."

The planet is getting smarter. Are your IT skills ready for what lies ahead?
With IBM Training’s Catalog On Demand, you’ll get the tools and resources needed to help with planning your education.

NEW! Offerings, courses and specials

• Accelerator! Services for IBM CloudBurst
  Integration of CloudBurst hardware and software into your environment with a one day overview on the hardware and systems management capabilities of CloudBurst.

• IBM CloudBurst Quickstart
  The CloudBurst service is a Global Technology Services lead engagement where IBM Systems Lab Services and Training integrates the CloudBurst hardware and software into the customer's environment. We also provide a one day overview on the hardware and systems management capabilities of CloudBurst.
  
  
• System z Solution Edition for Cloud Computing
  Lab Services System z expertise with Tivoli software to deliver a starter package for clients beginning to seek the benefits of cloud computing.
  
  
• zSecure Component Installation and Basic Customization
  Install zSecure components including, IBM Tivoli zSecure Admin, IBM Tivoli zSecure Audit, and IBM Tivoli zSecure Manager for RACF z/VM and provide basic customization of the products.
  
  
• Introducing System z e-learning bundles!
  IBM Training for Systems is announcing two new, low-cost e-learning bundles for System z. For only $350 a bundle, a student receives three months of unlimited access to 55 comprehensive System z courses through the IBM e-learning portal. With the IBM z/OS Computer Operations Bundle (EZ110), your clients can access 55 z/OS operations courses to boost their knowledge and skills. The IBM z/OS Mainframe Programming Bundle (EZ120) covers the broad spectrum of skills, knowledge and languages needed by today’s System z programmer. Use your expiring EdPacks!
  
  
• AU730 * System p LPAR and Virtualization I: Planning and Configuration
  * Classroom * 5 Days * $4,350
  Learn the skills needed to become an effective administrator on IBM's POWER6-based systems that support Logical Partitioning (LPAR). Learn about the features of PowerVM Editions (Advanced POWER Virtualization - APV) and how to configure and manage LPARs running AIX V6.1 or Linux using the Hardware Management Console (HMC).
  
  
• AL320 * Korn and Bash Shell Programming
  * Classroom * 5 Days * $3,525
  Learn effective methods to create and use KornShell and Bourne Again SHell (bash) scripts and utilities. Shell scripts are often the key to becoming a productive AIX or Linux system administrator.

 

Articles and whitepapers

IBM Systems Magazine
Mainframe | September/October 2009
IBM Poughkeepsie Green Data Center showcases a Dynamic Infrastructure
The IBM Systems Lab Services - Data Center Services team assisted in this effort!
By: Elisabeth Stahl

For a free on-line subscription to the IBM Systems Magazine visit: http://bit.ly/F6mjx

Welcome to the first entry to the IBM Systems Lab Services and Training blog!

If you are not familiar with our organization feel free to read a little about us on our Website. If you are an experienced pro at working with our team we are glad you have come to visit and see what the latest and greatest is going on with our team. Enjoy!

Sparkplugs – Our teams in action!

Our knowledge helps... really!

This client needed an infrastructure that could help reduce energy consumption, improve transactions and have security levels in place while thousands of users access its system every second. To fulfill these requirements, the client was looking for a storage virtualization engine, capable to run their heterogeneous storage environment. The client currently has IBM, Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) and Hewlett Packard (HP) storage subsystems running as well as a great variety of host systems like AIX, Microsoft Windows and SUN Solaris. Besides addressing compatibility questions, they were also looking for a storage virtualization engine which would ease the LUN provisioning and could handle all state-of-the-art copy services. They needed strong, reliable and robust storage virtualization.

During the built up Proof of Concept (PoC), to show and prove the reliability, flexibility and robustness of the IBM SAN Volume Controller (SVC) during several failover tests, the customer gained hands-on experience with the SAN Volume Controller. The PoC setup also covered SAN boot of the various operating systems over the SAN Volume Controller and worked on different virtualized disk storage subsystems like IBM DS8000, HDS AMS and HP EVA.

After a 4-day PoC the client team was impressed by the capabilities, robustness and flexibility of the SVC as well as the knowledge of the IBM Systems Lab Services and Training team.

IBM instructor-led online training—the way the client wants it!

A leading global consulting company that provides customers with management and information technology consulting, systems integration and outsourcing shared their training goals and objectives with IBM. It became evident that they had a need for VMware, Tivoli, BladeCenter and WebSphere training and that their preferred method of delivery was instructor-led online (ILO) courses—even though the classes were not available in ILO format. In order to meet the client's needs, the STG group agreed to make the needed classes available as ILO. The client took advantage of their IBM Education Pack (EdPack) account to purchase the training and is now planning to expand to their India and Asia Pacific regions. If you need assistance with a training solution contact an IBM Training Specialist today.

NEW! Offerings and specials

• Cloud Infrastructure Workshop
  Helping clients evaluate the feasibility and estimate the expected cost and operational benefits of implementing IBM's advanced Private Cloud and Dynamic IT Infrastructure (DITI) technologies.
  
  
• Smart Analytics Cloud on System z
  Making sure your System z environment is optimized for a private cloud.
  
  
• For a LIMITED TIME ONLY: Complete an IBM Systems public Class by December 18th, 2009 and receive a $100 Visa Gift Card
  Now's the prefect time to enrich your resume with IBM Systems skills. When you attend and complete an eligible IBM Systems public class with a retail value of at least $1,000, receive a $100 VISA Gift Card at no additional cost. Use a special promotion code when enrolling to get this offer.

Articles and whitepapers

IBM Collaborates with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Southern California Edison to Create Green Data Center

World’s Largest Automaker Reduces Energy Consumption and Costs Using Advanced Energy Management Technique - The Data Center Services team assisted in this engagement!

IBM Systems Magazine
Mainframe | July 2009 (e-Newsletter exclusive)

Crafting a Green IT Department

You can create a greener data center today.

Written by: John Cilia, Data Center Services

For a free on-line subscription to the IBM Systems Magazine visit: http://bit.ly/F6mjx

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