Manufacture of servers a big boon for the IBM Rochester campus

Tuesday (Aug. 17) was a big day for Big Blue’s Rochester, MN campus as IBM rolled out a number of new computer servers to round out its new Power7 Systems line.

While the high-end IBM Power 795 server led the announcement, four new mid-sized servers being manufactured in Rochester were also introduced.

“It is a big deal for the Rochester site,” said Ian Jarman, Power Systems software manager. “More than 50 percent of the Rochester team were involved in the development, manufacturing, software and marketing of the Power7 Systems.”

IBM spent about $3.2 billion creating the Power7 line over the last three and half years, said Jarman. The first Power7 computers came out in February and these latest servers complete the product line.

“We’re delivering these ahead of schedule,” he said. The first of the mid-sized servers — the Express 710, 720, 730 and 740 — are expected to start shipping to customers on Sept. 17.

The Express servers, priced at about $6,000 each, target small companies, schools, government agencies and similar customers.

Like other Power7 computers, the Express servers can run three types of operating systems software — UNIX, Linux or IBM’s i. However, it is the last of those three that most mid-sized server customers use.

Over the years, rumors of a phase-out of the i operating system have surfaced regularly. That’s of particular interest locally, since the operating system is based completely in Rochester.

“Today’s announcement and the entire Power7 Systems show a very clear commitment to the i operating system by IBM,” Jarman said.

IBM released a new version of the software in April. That, along with incorporating it into the Power7 Systems line, has assured that it is not being used only on older legacy computers systems, he said.

“IBM’s i clients are delighted to be in the mainstream,” said Jarman.

The Express servers were only one part of Tuesday’s extensive Power7 additions.

Topping the list was a new high-end server, the IBM Power 795.

With 256 Power7 cores, it offers about four times the performance of IBM’s previous server in that category.

Big Blue also introduced two new software products Tuesday — a new version of IBM’s UNIX operating system called AIX 7 as well as a workload-optimized Smart Analytics System that helps businesses draw real-time information from massive amounts of data.

Overall, Jarman said the Power7 announcements signaled strong growth by the company in various markets, including UNIX servers and the valuable mid-sized server market.

“This is an IBM announcement with a strong Rochester element. It continues to demonstrate that Rochester is integrated very well with the broader IBM,” he said.”It also demonstrates that when IBM talks about its Smarter Planet initiative, Rochester is right in center of this initiative with our systems, servers and people.”

by Jeff Kiger, The Post-Bulletin

By James Bandler with Doris Burke July 6, 2010: 5:51 PM ET from CNNMoney.com (Fortune)

This article is an excellent follow-up to the earlier information about the insider trading scandal concerning ex-IBMer Robert Moffat. Thank you to Steve Salavarria for providing the following link:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/06/news/companies/ibm_insider_trading.fortune/index.htm

From the third graders of Tussing Elementary, Colonial Heights, Virginia . Written by their teacher.

Click your mouse here:    Tussing Elementary

The older you are, the longer it may take to get a job. According to the recent information from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics an average unemployed person over age 65 has been out of work about 70% longer than an average teenager.

There is age discrimination out there, but the good news is that more and more employers are recognizing the value of hiring experienced workers. There are benefits to being older, like having wisdom and common sense, a long work record of accomplishments, more experience and a perceived higher level of work ethic.

If you’re over 55 and unemployed, don’t despair. Here are a few tips that help you to get a job:

Modify Your Resume

When updating your resume include only the most recent experience (10 – 12 years). If you attended college don’t list your graduation dates. The date will draw attention to your age and away from your experience. Some experts even advise omitting dates from the listings of your jobs, instead just list the number of years you were in each job.

Consider downplaying titles. Unfortunately, many hiring managers see titles like “vice president” and assume that you’re out of their price range. Depending on how anxious you are to secure a job, you may want to consider softening the job titles you list on your resume so you won’t seem overqualified. For example, “Senior Manager” instead of “Vice President.”

You also need to show your potential employer that you know the current terms and buzz words used in your industry/position.  These words also make your resume more visible for employers. Most companies use applicant tracking software, which scans resumes for keywords relating to experience, job titles, skills, training, and degrees.

Well-Chosen Keywords Can Turn Your Resume Into a Powerful Marketing Tool: Recommended Keywords for Your Resume

Keep Your Skills Current

Computer skills are especially important. Most employers expect you to feel comfortable with a computer and accessing the Internet. If you’re a computer novice, and if you don’t have one at home, you could benefit from a visit to your local library. You also should consider taking a computer class. There are classes offered, free or low-cost, by continuing education centers, libraries and schools. Microsoft offers training programs though organizations such as the AARP. Be sure to list all courses and professional-development activities that illustrate your willingness to learn and keep your skills updated. The more current your skills, the better your chances of finding a job.

Network

It is still one of the best ways to find a job. Many job leads come from friends, family or colleagues. Older workers probably have a broader network of professional contacts. Get in touch with people you haven’t spoken for a while, call your friends and family members, tell everybody that you are looking for a job. In addition to your personal network find job opportunities on employment websites, corporate websites, temporary agencies, job boards and career fairs.

If you are not on the most popular social websites like LinkedIn, Ecademy, Facebook and Twitter, you might want to consider joining them.

You can find informative job search articles and job leads by following us on Twitter (@twittin4job) and by joining our LinkedIn group JOB 2.0 – Job Search & Networking where 35,000+ professionals can help you answer questions. Also become our fans on Facebook

If you’re new to networking we recommend you to read: Job Hunting – 10 Tips to Build Your Network

Experience is Your Greatest Asset

Don’t be afraid to sell yourself. Focus on your knowledge and real-world experience. Employers today are looking for results, not years. Show them your accomplishments at previous jobs. What you are capable of, how you achieved your capability, in what different ways do you apply your skills and how the skills you have will be beneficial to the employer.

Stay Positive

Finding a job can be hard work at any age. Don’t give up, stay positive!  A recent study at the University of Missouri concluded that putting together a plan at the start of your job search, and having positive emotions while looking for a job, has a significant impact on success.

Positive attitude may help you find a job quicker

Yes, it might take a while to find a job, but, there are employers who understand the value of an older worker with maturity, life experience, and skills.

There are some advices all job seekers should follow:

On-line Job Search Mistakes Every Job Seeker Should Avoid

What do Employers look for in Resumes?

Why Your Job Search Isn’t Getting the Results You Want?

If a patrol car is pulled over to the side of the road with their lights flashing, you have to move to the next lane (away from the stopped vehicle) or slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.  Every state except Hawaii and Maryland and the D.C. has this law. The fines vary by state but are very large. The fine in the State of Texas is up to $200.

More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America’s highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. To lower that deadly toll, a new coalition of traffic safety and law enforcement groups is launching a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect emergency personnel along our nation’s roadsides.

“Move Over, America” is a partnership originally founded in 2007 by the National Safety Commission, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Association of Police Organizations. Most recently, the partnership has also received the full support of the American Association of State Troopers. The campaign is the first nationally coordinated effort to educate Americans about “Move Over” laws and how they help protect the law enforcement officers who risk their lives protecting the public.

For more information, see http://www.moveoveramerica.com.

Roland Borden, retired IBMer, will be remembered fondly by all of us who worked with him at IBM. His IBM career spanned multiple roles from 1962 through 1993. Roland was a superb Senior Systems Engineer and was an excellent mentor, a valued advisor and a technical asset in information technology.  Roland excelled through persistence, knowledge and a wonderful sense of humor.

Roland’s IBM career took him to several locations, where he distinguished himself in many and varied technically-challenging roles. He moved to the Lubbock branch office in the mid-1960′s and worked in the Midland, Texas, suboffice, where he distinguished himself as the IBM SE who helped Globe Exploration install the world’s first System/360. “IBM Vets” from those days remember that the S/360 was widely viewed as a “Bet the Company” strategy, was wildly successful in terms of orders, however, and because of the challenges of SLT (Solid Logic Technology), Operating System development problems, and component availability issues, IBM’s customers were faced with delivery delays that stretched out for many months. It would be a gross understatement to say that the world of IBM’s customers and competitors was watching Roland’s and IBM’s actions in West Texas very carefully. He demonstrated technical excellence and account leadership for all to see, and for his numerous contributions to this historic effort, he was invited to the IBM World-Wide SE Symposium in Quito, Ecuador in 1966. 

Roland moved to Dallas in 1969 and was one of the first members of a new organization called the Systems Design and Installation Center (SD&I Center), which was responsible for helping other SE’s throughout IBM’s District 14 with the installation of System/360 computers. He was truly a technical leader and an acknowledged expert at a time when those skills were at a premium. He moved to Branch Office 121 in the early 70′s, where he remained for the remainder of his career.  Roland retired from IBM in 1993.

Roland died at home on Saturday, March 6, after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife, Linda, also an ex-IBMer, and two sons, Chris and Mike. Memorial services will be held at Christ Church, 4550 Legacy Dr., in Plano at 2:00 on Thursday, March 11. A reception will follow the service.

More information and a full obituary are available at the following website:  http://www.allenfamilyfuneraloptions.com/.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Roland’s family and friends at this difficult time.

If you receive reimbursement from Acclaris for a percentage of Long Term Care Insurance costs through the IBM Life Planning Account, you may have received a 1099 from Fidelity which is double the amount of your reimbursement. According to one of our members, Fidelity will be sending out corrected 1099s shortly.