There has been rumblings recently that, as part of its efforts to consolidate its server brands, IBM will change the name of its servers, including the S/390. The mainframe’s new name, however, is a closely held secret.
Al Barsa Jr., president, Barsa Consulting Group, Purchase, N.Y,. told the Insider Weekly late last week that Big Blue planned to rename the AS/400 to the I/500. Barsa also mentioned that the S/390, RS/6000 and Netfinity brands will also have name changes. The industry has known for sometime that IBM would consolidate its server under an umbrella name.
Barsa admits that industry insiders are being tight-lipped about the S/390’s new moniker. He did say, however, that the "RS" in RS/6000 will be replaced by the letter "P." While Barsa said yesterday he didn't know the new name of the S/390, he thinks all boxes will likely have their own letters and numbers in their names.
An IBM spokesperson said the company was "looking into options" but declined to elaborate. Is the name change a good thing or it it just another IBM marketing blunder? Let us know what you think, e-mail
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