In this episode, we sit down with Nina Ng, an IBM support veteran whose cosmopolitan career has taught her to speak fluently in the language all customers expect: the clear and timely communication of correct answers. From her roots in the Philippines to her life today in Singapore, Nina Ng has built a reputation for technical excellence, empathy, and infectious good humor. Join us for a thoughtful look at what it really means to connect across cultures, one call at a time.

Nina Ng joined IBM in 2005 at IBM Philippines and currently lives and works in Singapore as the team lead for AP and ASEAN support, specializing in Work Management, Data Access, ACS, Navigator, SMP and IFS. Nina is known for her mentorship of new team members in complex support processes, has developed dashboards and reports for case management and metrics, and recently took on the additional challenge of being a Duty Manager.

Nina Ng

IBM i iGSC OFFTRG Team Lead

Connecting Cultures, One Call at a Time

In this episode, we are joined by none other than IBM's own Scott Forstie, who sits down to talk about all things SQL. From how he got started at IBM, and how he goes about writing SQL that others can learn from, to the business of challenging users to transition to database technologies that will ensure that their newest employees can hit the ground running. Alex and Scott also discuss system security and the future of SQL in the AI age. After you listen, make sure to seek out Scott and Tim Rowe's iSee video blog at COMMON.org, and the other links below to learn even more SQL. <a href="http://ibm.biz/Db2foriSQLTutor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://ibm.biz/Db2foriSQLTutor</a><a href="https://learn.common.org/products/ibm-isee-video-blog" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://learn.common.org/products/ibm-isee-video-blog</a><a href="https://gist.github.com/forstie" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://gist.github.com/forstie</a><a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1119129/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1119129/</a>

Scott Forstie is a Senior Technical Staff Member within IBM i development and spends most of his time working as the Db2 for i Architect. He has worked on IBM operating system development since joining IBM in 1989. Scott is a frequently published author, speaker at industry events around the globe and can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottforstie/ and forstie@us.ibm.com. 
Scott is an avid runner, enjoys cooking and shooting pool.

Scott Forstie

 Db2 for i Business Architect.

IBM Db2 for i Business Architect Scott Forstie joins us to talk about 

SELECT * FROM EPISODES WHERE GUEST = 'SCOTT FORSTIE';

Loralie Fritel has been helping customers install, upgrade, and manage their IBM i Systems since 1998, and on today's episode she does a joins us to talk about her particular area of expertise, PTFs. So..what is a PTF? What's the best way to put them on? And how do you pronouce Loralie Fritel? Just hit play and find out. Some helpful PTF links: IBM i Technology Refresh&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-technology-refresh" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-technology-refresh</a>PTFs: FAQs / Question and Answers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ptfs-faqs-question-and-answers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ptfs-faqs-question-and-answers</a>Best Practices: PTF or Fixes Installation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/645469" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/645469</a>Installing cumulative PTF packages&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=scenario-installing-cumulative-ptf-packages" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=scenario-installing-cumulative-ptf-packages</a>Automatic ordering of PTF groups&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=fixes-automatic-ordering-ptf-groups" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=fixes-automatic-ordering-ptf-groups</a>IBM i Group PTFs with Level&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-group-ptfs-level" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-group-ptfs-level</a>IBM i APARs/PTFs have migrated to Known Issues/Fix Information&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-aparsptfs-have-migrated-known-issuesfix-information" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-aparsptfs-have-migrated-known-issuesfix-information</a> We also want to put in a plug for Michael Mayers <a href="https://ibmireference.blogspot.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IBM i Reference</a> blog is a user-created site that provides helpful links for PTFs, Upgrades, TR Enhancements, and more. The IBM iGSC celebrates and thanks users like Mike who work independently to promote and support the IBM i community.

Loralie Fritel has been a key member of the IBM i Global Support Center's Save/Restore team since she joined IBM in 1998, and is relied on for her deep skills when it comes to all things PTF related. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, relaxing days on the lake, and going back to her family farm.


Loralie Fritel

IBM i Global Support Center

Loralie Fritel has been helping customers install, upgrade, and manage their IBM i Systems since 1998, and on today's episode she does a joins us to talk about her particular area of expertise, PTFs. So..what IS a PTF? What's the best way to put them on? And how do you pronouce Loralie Fritel? Just hit play and find out.

Putting on PTFs with Loralie Fritel

In this episode, we meet Jerry McKee and do a deep dive into SSL, TLS, Self-Signed Certificates, and get some great tips on securing your networks from bad actors. And as an added bonus we get some fun stories about AS/400 reliability straight from the guy who soldered the chips that made them so in the first place. It’s a no-nonsense breakdown of how customers can keep their data and devices safe in a world wired for risk. <a href="https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4.0?topic=i-configuring-ssl-admin-wizard" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Configuring SSL for ADMIN wizard - IBM</a> <a href="https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4.0?topic=servers-setting-up-i-use-ssl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Setting up IBM i to use SSL</a> <a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/configuring-your-ibm-i-system-secure-sockets-layer-ssltransport-layer-security-tls-protocols-and-cipher-suites" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Configuring Your IBM i System Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocols and Cipher Suites</a>

Jerry has worked at IBM in various roles since 1992, and currently is a trusted resource on teams supporting the IFS, database client side drivers, and RPG programing. Jerry lives near Rochester, MN and enjoys many hobbies such as electronics and woodworking.

Jerry McKee

In this episode, we meet Jerry McKee and do a deep dive into SSL, TLS, Self-Signed Certificates, and get some great tips on securing your networks from bad actors. And as an added bonus we get some fun stories about AS/400 reliability straight from the guy who soldered the chips that made them so in the first place. It’s a no-nonsense breakdown of how customers can keep their data and devices safe in a world wired for risk.

"Who Needs SSL When You’ve Got Twinax?" — Jerry McKee

In this episode we finally meet one of the many talented people located in Sofia, Bulgaria. For 10 years, Stanislav Kolev has been relied on for his skill on our EBIZ team, and is well-versed in how customers can help make single sign-on work for them. <a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/troubleshooting-single-sign" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Troubleshooting Single Sign-on</a> <a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-single-sign-configuration-planning-worksheets" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IBM i Single Sign-on Configuration Planning Worksheets</a>

Stanislav Kolev is an experienced member of the EBIZ support team at the IBM i Global Support Center and has worked out of our location in historic Sofia, Bulgaria.

 Stanislav Kolev

In this episode we finally meet one of the many talented people located in Sofia, Bulgaria. For 10 years, Stanislav Kolev has been relied on for his skill on our EBIZ team, and is well-versed in how customers can help make single sign-on work for them. 

Speaking Fluent Single Sign-On — Stanislav Kolev

Speaking Fluent Single Sign-On

When the normal day shift at the IBM i GSC is done, the OFFSHIFT team takes over. OFFSHIFT is a smaller global team of highly technical reps who are able to solve most issues on their own. In this episode, we meet Jim Shupe, a long-time OFFSHIFT team lead, and learn how customers can better open their cases so that they are resolved quickly and expertly. Jim highly recommends that all customers install <a href="https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/qmgtools-must-gather-data-collector-users-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">QMGTOOLS</a> and keep it current.

Jim has worked in Rochester for IBM since 1993, starting in development and later migrating to support for Database and Languages. Eventually Jim joined the new Electronic Business and Web Services team, and in 2007 moved to Offshift where he was a team lead for many years. Jim is widely relied on by the iGSC for his skill in handling complex cases, and knowing how to wake up just the right person to solve them quickly if they are outside of one of his many areas of expertise.

Jim Shupe

When the normal day shift at the IBM i GSC is done, the OFFSHIFT team takes over. OFFSHIFT is a smaller global team of highly technical reps who are able to solve most issues on their own. In this episode, we meet Jim Shupe, a long-time OFFSHIFT team lead, and learn how customers can better open their cases so that they are resolved quickly and expertly.

Jack of All Trades, Master of Many — Jim Shupe

Jack of All Trades, Master of Many — Offshift's Jim Shupe

Lael Daire has been a firewall between development and support for many years, and brings an expert level of knowledge to diagnosing complex issues with LIC and the Power Hypervisor. Not only does he possess an encyclopedic knowledge the intricacies of IBM Power Systems, but he is friendly and an excellent communicator. In this episode, we meet Lael and get to know how he approaches complex problem scenarios and is able to guide customers and reps to better understanding critical system issues.

Lael Daire works at the intersection of Power Servers Firmware and IBM i Licensed Internal Code.  He is the support lead for IBM i Screen Team, who reviews Main Storage Dumps amongst other things.  He is also the support lead for Power Hypervisor, Partition Firmware, and SR-IOV Firmware.  In his role, he is a regular resource for teams all over the IBM i GSC, working to bring a clearer understanding of how the various parts of IBM i interface with the POWER systems on which they run.

Lael Daire

Lael Daire has been a firewall between development and support for many years, and brings an expert level of knowledge to diagnosing complex issues with LIC and the Power Hypervisor. Not only does he possess an encyclopedic knowledge the intricacies of IBM Power Systems, but he is friendly and an excellent communicator. In this episode, we meet Lael and get to know how he approaches complex problem scenarios and is able to guide customers and reps to better understanding critical system issues.

"Don't Believe the PHYP" — Lael Daire

You, Me, and IBM i lives at the intersection of wit and wisdom, and offers an inside look at the lives of the technical support experts at the IBM i Global Support Center. Each episode explores a new aspect of support, and leaves listeners better able to solve their own issues and get back to business. Alex Marquis (<a href="mailto:marquis@us.ibm.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">marquis@us.ibm.com</a>) and Kurt Schroeder (<a href="mailto:kschroe@us.ibm.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">kschroe@us.ibm.com</a>) welcome your comments, questions, and show suggestions.

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Connecting Cultures, One Call at a Time

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