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COMMON (user group)

From Alfawiki
COMMON
Company typeNonprofit organization
IndustryInformation technology
Founded1960
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsEducation, resources, tools, networking opportunities for IBM i users
Websitecommon.org

COMMON stands as the premier global organization representing users of IBM Power Systems and related IBM-compatible technologies.[1]Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content Positioned between mainframes and microcomputers, Power Systems are classified as midrange computers.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content As a private, nonprofit entity, COMMON delivers education, resources, tools, and networking opportunities tailored for IBM i users. Its membership encompasses a diverse group including end users, IBM personnel, vendors, industry specialists, speakers, business executives, and academics.[2]

History

IBM initiated its midrange computer series in 1969 with the release of the IBM System/3,Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content followed by subsequent models such as the System/34 and System/36. The 1978 introduction of the IBM System/38 met with limited commercial success; however, its underlying architecture served as the basis for the IBM AS/400,[3][4] which debuted in 1988.[5] By late 1994, businesses had installed approximately 250,000 AS/400 systems,Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content supported by an extensive professional user community. This robust user engagement has played a significant role in the platform’s sustained success and popularity.[6] The 1990s represented COMMON’s most active era, attracting thousands to its twice-yearly educational conferences.

Financial problems

COMMON’s operations were heavily affected by the economic downturn during the Late-2000s recession. After decades of growth in attendance through the 1980s and 1990s, event participation declined markedly. Faced with increased workloads and shrinking training budgets, IT professionals prompted COMMON to scale back from two annual conferences to one. Additionally, conference durations were shortened from five days to four, complimentary attendance for volunteers was discontinued, and sponsorship became mandatory for social gatherings.

Current status

In the 2020s, midrange computers remained in use across more than 100,000 organizations worldwide. Following interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, COMMON resumed its biannual conferences and educational programs. By 2021, LinkedIn’s professional group dedicated to AS/400 and iSeries users had grown beyond 26,000 members.

A significant portion of IBM i users have devoted many years to the platform; a 2021 Forta survey revealed that 56% of participants possessed over three decades of experience, with many approaching retirement. Their successors are expected to continue relying on user groups for learning and peer collaboration—the foundational mission of COMMON.

As of 2020, IBM’s midrange systems commanded a 36.3% share of their market segment, particularly within banking, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics industries. Organizations in these fields depend extensively on AS400/iSeries/IBM i platforms for essential business operations.

The platform remains critical to IBM’s strategy, with hardware and software updates released every two to three years that introduce substantial improvements in functionality and performance. COMMON events serve as venues where IBM unveils new products and facilitates direct interaction between users and developers.

A user survey conducted in 2021 indicated that 43% of respondents operated most or all of their business applications on Power Systems, highlighting the ongoing significance of the platform. More than half planned to maintain their current hardware setups; only a minor segment intended to migrate away from the platform.

Member resources

Resources provided by COMMON are exclusively available to members—whether individuals, corporations, or user groups.

One prominent membership advantage is access to COMMON’s biannual US conferences: "POWERUp" held in spring and "NAViGATE" in autumn. Each event features nearly nine hours per day of instructional sessions alongside a trade show hosting approximately 40 vendors—including IBM—presenting both software solutions and hardware innovations.

Additionally, COMMON offers online education through webcasts and webinars combined with a Career Center designed to connect employers with prospective candidates.

In partnership with IBM, COMMON introduced New 2 IBM i (N2i), a program aimed at equipping new IT professionals with critical skills and knowledge for optimizing the platform.

Events

  • POWERUp 2024, Fort Worth, May 20–23, 2024
  • NAViGATE 2024, Bonita Springs, November 4–6, 2024
  • COMMON India, Pune, February 24–26, 2025
  • POWERUp 2025, Anaheim, May 19–22, 2025
  • NAViGATE 2025, Pittsburgh, September 15–17, 2025

Local user groups

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IBMiSociety
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named BEN
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named inside-as400
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named schleicher-interview
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named HIS
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FOR
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