IBM Systems Magazine, Power Systems - February 2018 - 4
EDITOR'S DESK PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BOWMAN From Here to AI W hen I go on a road trip, I never just jump in the car and hit the highway. For one, it's likely that I'd get a gas tank away from home, only to realize that I'd left behind a critical item. Secondly, I know the trip will be more successful with a little forethought, even if I'm forced to take some unexpected detours along the way. Careful preparation is essential: researching destinations, planning a route, arranging for coverage at work, you name it. And if I'm traveling with a group of friends, there's a flurry of shared spreadsheets tracking who's responsible for which snack items, too. Your organization's foray into artificial intelligence (AI) should function much the same way. While you shouldn't fret if you don't have turn-by-turn directions at the get-go, you should have a framework in mind for how you'll leverage the insights garnered via AI to improve operations. Read this month's cover story on page 18 to discover how IBM Power Systems* hardware and software facilitate AI initiatives. Then turn to "Build a Better AI Workflow From the Ground Up" on page 24, which illustrates the common obstacles encountered in implementing AI-and how to overcome them. I'd encourage you to pull the infographic out of the magazine and hang it in your office or cubicle as a reference CONTRIBUTORS Tony Pearson Chef and Bartender IBMer and author of "A Plan in Place" on page 26, Tony Pearson also attended cooking school, and is a certified bartender in Arizona. This has helped him explain food choices and help select the best wine when entertaining business clients. 4 // FEBRUARY 2018 ibmsystemsmag.com as your organization begins to explore what's possible in this new cognitive era. Elsewhere in this issue, IBMer Tony Pearson explains the seven levels of business continuity, and how to pick the appropriate level for your organization. Read "A Plan in Place" on page 26 to learn more. And on page 12, Harry Westfall, IT director of Imperial Bag & Paper Co., explains how his organization consolidated myriad ERP systems to streamline operations after a series of acquisitions. Planning is imperative to a successful journey of any type. Read this month's issue to learn how IBM can help you navigate the road to AI. Claire Walling // Managing Editor cwalling@msptechmedia.com Q Ben Fearnley Art and Imagination Ben Fearnley is an award-winning designer specializing in 3-D illustration and typography. Turn to "Build a Better AI Workflow From the Ground Up" on page 24 to see an example of his work. After working in various fields of design, his passion for creative image-making via CGI flourished and he decided to focus his craft within this realm, as he delights in creating almost anything imaginable and more.