“Over The Years, I’ve Done Many IBM i Version Upgrades. Sometimes It Goes Smoothly, And Other Times It Can Be Painful. With Source Data’s Mark’s Help, This Version Upgrade Was A Painless One!”
Background
American Precision Industries (API) started in 1978 as a small, two-man operation just outside Portland, Oregon. It was sales by day, manufacturing by night — with a do-or-die attitude — serving an emerging chip manufacturing industry.
Today, API has expanded into over 90,000 square feet of manufacturing space, employing over 125 dedicated personnel. API continues to serve the semiconductor industry as well as aerospace, medical, renewables and defense.
API currently supports 60 users running an IBM 8286-41A with DCD (heavily modified) and MRB software.
Overseas Production Requires Careful Planning
Mark Breisacher reached out to David Wynn, MIS Director at API, a week prior to the scheduled IBM i Version Upgrade to schedule his technical activities.
American Precision runs 24 x 7 with production in Oregon as well as overseas, so David and Mark determined the best time for the upgrade was Friday evening after 5:00 PM and complete by 6:00 AM on Saturday morning.
David explains, “Mark offered to do the upgrade when the least amount of people would be using the system.”
All Precautions Were Taken To Ensure No Loss Of Data
Both API and Source Data Products did full system Save21’s before the upgrade process.
David continues, “I did a complete backup the weekend before, and Mark wanted to do another Save21 backup Friday evening before beginning the version upgrade.
“He did his due diligence as far as backups go.”
Source Data Had It All Under Control
“Friday evening Mark called me once for login information, and Saturday morning it was all up and done. When the version upgrade was completed, Mark did another Save21 backup with our system at V7.5.”
“Mark did a fantastic job. I offered to come stay overnight to assist, but once I got him set up he was able to do it all unassisted.”
Bonus Upgrades
“Mark also downloaded a newer version of iAccess for me and the other users.
“We have been using an older version of iAccess. I pushed out this new iAccess version to some of the other PCs that were available.”
Hassle Free Upgrade
“Everything went according to plan and was flawless.
“Over the years, I’ve done many IBM i Version Upgrades. Sometimes it goes smoothly, and other times it can be painful. With Source Data’s Mark’s help, this version upgrade was a painless one!”