These withdrawals and replacement updates seem to come round quicker with every generation of POWER system that IBM Launch. With IBM and it’s Business Partners continuing to strongly push the POWER7 message, it’s a good time to remind you that the following mainstream POWER6 server models are the latest being removed from sale (due for withdrawal from marketing on 27th May in fact) – P6 520 (8203-E4A) P6 550 (8204-E8A)
Even with the seeming unavoidable break in business later this month due public holidays and the Royal Wedding, it is likely we shall start to see availability of these models decrease sharply as IBM Distributors start to run their stock down towards end of the month.
In addition to the above, the highly successful P6 595 (9119-FHA) is being withdrawn on 29th July. Further information on this, and the other models due for dismissal, can be found here:
http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/rep_ca/0/897/ENUS911-010/ENUS911-010.PDF
Support for these servers will continue of course, and you will still have the option to purchase upgrades for existing installed systems for the foreseeable future. However, clients who have long term projects where POWER6 Servers have been proposed should certainly consider contacting us for a revised offering based on the current POWER7 architecture.
After all, with the performance gains offered by POWER7, and the discounts we are able to pass on, there is very little to be nostalgic about after all.
