What is IBM websphere commerce?

IBM's WebSphere software platform - Linux

• Hello, We're looking into the IBM WebSphere as a strategic software platform for migrating our business development to it. What we've learned of the platform is satisfactory, what we want to know is how supportive is it of Linux and how much commitment IBM is putting in providing the suite of tools and application servers under the Linux OS. IBM is moving out of being proprietary, that all sounds great. We're interested in knowing where they are and how much is planned for the near/far future as far as WebSphere is concerned. A list of the applications and possible release dates of when they'll be available on linux would be appreciated. Schedules and key alliances showing long-term Linux support would be great. Simply put, we don't want to dive into WebSphere under the impression that we'll remain on Linux and later find out that to do what we thought we can achieve with the product, we'll need to move to other OS's and platforms and Linux was used as bait. :-) /Lizardnation

• Answer:

  Thank you for your question regarding IBM’s commitment to Linux. After 17 years of developing applications for IBM midrange products, such as the System/36 and AS/400, I certainly can appreciate your ambivalence about IBM’s sincerity with respect to Linux. “Big Blue” really has been redesigning itself over the last 4 years. I truly believe that IBM will stand behind, and push the Linux platform. For example; if you are building an application that will be commercially available, IBM will help you market Port and test it through their IBM Solution Partnership Centers. Somebody at IBM woke up a few years ago , and realized that they were losing market share to Windows and Linux based application servers. Whereas the original AS/400 servers were proprietary, operating under their OS/400 software, it really has changed. I have an AS/400 that I have partitioned a part of the disk to be a web server, running IBM’s HTTP server. This same box can run a Linux server and a Windows 2000 server, concurrently. As an aside, it is still running old “green screen” applications. WebSphere Application Server provides a Java-based application server on Linux. Open standards like J2EE and Web services such as SOAP and UDDI are fully supported. IBM makes it easy for you to “test drive” their Websphere ands Linux support, if you register at their website (free), you may download, or they will mail you a 2 CD software suite, also free. I quote their CD listing from their site: “Free 2 cd software includes The Q2 2002 Linux Software Evaluation Kit (a 2-CD set) includes: DB2 IBM DB2 Universal Database Enterprise Edition, V7.2 for Linux (Fixpak 5 refresh) Java technologies Robocode Lotus Lotus Domino Server Release 5.0.9a for Linux, Global English Edition Web Services Web Services Toolkit V3.01 WebSphere WebSphere Application Server Advanced Single Server Edition V4.0.1 for Linux (development use only) WebSphere Studio Application Developer for Linux Preview Articles and Redbooks Eclipse Platform Technical Overview Caldera OpenLinux Integration Guide for IBM eServer xSeries and Netfinity Implementing Linux with IBM Disk Storage Linux for IBM eServer zSeries and S/390: Distributions Linux for WebSphere and DB2 Servers Linux on IBM eServer zSeries and S/390: ISP/ASP Solutions Linux on IBM Netfinity Servers: A Collection of Papers Linux System Administration and Backup Tools for IBM eServer xSeries and Netfinity Linux Web Hosting with WebSphere, DB2, and Domino Lotus Domino R5 Clustering with IBM eServer xSeries and Netfinity Servers Lotus Domino R5 for Linux on IBM Netfinity Servers Red Hat Linux Integration Guide for IBM eServer xSeries and Netfinity SuSE Linux Integration Guide for IBM eServer xSeries and Netfinity Tivoli Storage Manager Version 4.2 Technical Guide Tivoli Web Solutions: Managing Web Services and Beyond TurboLinux Integration Guide for IBM eServer xSeries and Netfinity “ You can register here: http://www-3.ibm.com/cgi-bin/software/track3.cgi?file=/software/is/mp/linux/software/app.shtml&S_TACT=__S_TACT__&S_CMP=__S_CMP__ (Sorry for the long link) IBM *really* wants you to port over to Linux, so much so, that they are offering free 2 day seminars in various cities here: http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/offers/spc/spc_lappws.html Here are a few existing Linux applications for Websphere: Existing software for Linux/Websphere Accounting: ACCPAC Advantage Series Internet Commerce: Selectica Interactive Selling System eOneGroup: eOneCommerce Axiom Software Laboratories:Data and Risk Management Web Development: Aptrix WebSphere Edition Retail: MarCole Gift RegistryWorks Business intelligence: SAS Business Intelligence CRM: Relavis Administration/messaging: Lotus Notes/Domino For a comprehensive list of existing and upcoming Linux applications, go to: http://www.linuxapps.com/ I hope this will at least point you in the right direction, please feel free to follow up with any clarification you might need. Thanks for using Google answers. Colin-ga