We’re working on coming up with a plan to get to Power 6 when it becomes available. We have now purchased the SAP Netweaver ERP Suite and the thirst for resources seems almost unquenchable. Java/portals will be rolling out along with additional SAP components for the next 6-10 months.

I have been running SAP on System i for the last 7 years and on Sun Solaris(UNIX) for 6 years before that (different company). The ability to run 2000 named SAP users (Global) on 2-tier on system i has proven to be quite beneficial from a systems management standpoint. The turning point for performance (starting on a 740 w/200 users, then an 840 with another 3-400) was when we went to an 870. As nice as the 870 was, we still had what we call outlyer transactions (temporary slow downs). Since going to the Power 5, then the power 5+ we have had our performance related help desk calls basically stop.

We also are running SAP Business Warehouse (1.5 TB) on a 550 (P5+). I expect a tremendous performance boost there if I can get it to fit into an LPAR on a Power6 570 or if IBM comes out with a Power 6 550 model.

Craig

Michael, you’re right that System p has CoD as well. I think the point of the original article was that most System i folks in general (there are definitely exceptions like Craig running SAP on i) can get by with CoD, while more System p folks just need a faster engine.

Another reason it’s important is the delta cost of going from a 570 to a 595. There is a pretty significant price bump to upgrade models, so if speeding up the processor can help us stay within the mid priced model, it’s a big $$ benefit. Not a money maker for IBM to avoid that jump but good for us.

Companies running SAP on system i are not as common as I’d like, but with the constant improvements in server performance and better price points, I still have hope that it will take off.