Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 3, 2026

COMMON (user group)

COMMON is the largest association of users of IBM Power Systems and IBM-compatible technology in the world. Power Systems are midrange computers, a class between mainframes and microcomputers. The users' group is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides education, tools, resources and networking opportunities for IBM i users. Members include users, IBMers, vendors, industry experts, recognized speakers, business leaders, and academics.

Last revised
Jun 3, 2026
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≈ 3 min
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Citations
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Wikipedia ↗
COMMON
Formation1960
Legal statusAssociation
PurposeEducation, resources, certification, networking
HeadquartersChicago, Illinois
Region served
Worldwide1
Official language
English
Board president
Justin Porter
Main organ
COMMON.CONNECT
AffiliationsIBM
Staff11
Websitewww.common.org

COMMON is the largest association of users of IBM Power Systems and IBM-compatible technology in the world.23 Power Systems are midrange computers, a class between mainframes and microcomputers.4 The users' group is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides education, tools, resources and networking opportunities for IBM i users. Members include users, IBMers, vendors, industry experts, recognized speakers, business leaders, and academics.5

History

In 1969, the IBM System/3 became the first of IBM's mid-range computers,6 following by the System/34 and System/36. The IBM System/38, announced in 1978, was not very successful but its architecture was the basis of the IBM AS/400,78 released in 1988.9 There were 250,000 AS/400s installed in businesses at the end of 1994 with a corresponding number of people supporting the operation of those computers.10

Financial problems

The Late-2000s recession had a severe effect on COMMON activities. Event attendance, which had increased throughout the 1980s and 1990s, dropped substantially.11 COMMON began hosting one conferece per year and shortened the conference length from five daysto four. Free attendance for volunteers was also eliminated and sponsorship was required for social events.12

Current status

In the 2020s, over 100,000 organizations used mid-range computers.13 Following a hiatus from COVID, bi-annual conferences resumed, as did additional educational offerings.14 As of 2021, there were over 26,000 members in LinkedIn's group for AS/400 and iSeries professionals.15

IBM makes new product announcements at Common events where users can ask IBM developers questions.16

Member resources

Only members can utilize Common resources. Memberships can be acquired by individuals, company or user groups.5

A popular feature of membership is the Common Conference, held twice a year at varying locations in the US. The spring conference is named "POWERUp"; the fall conference is named "NAViGATE".14 Nearly nine hours of educational sessions are scheduled each day; an exhibition expo is open on the second and third day, with about 40 vendors including IBM, offering software and hardware.17

Common schedules internet-based education, including Webcasts and Webinars. A Career Center for employers and job hunters.18

COMMON and IBM have a program New 2 IBM i (N2i) is a partnership mentoring program between COMMON and IBM for IBM i.19

Events

Local user groups

See also

See also

References

References

20

  1. "Disaster recovery to lead Common iSeries user group conference" Search/400, September 13, 2006
  2. "Unique Community Launched by Most Loyal Group of Users in Server Industry". IBM Corporation. Retrieved 2006-09-18.
  3. "COMMON". linkedin.com. Linkedin Inc. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  4. Estabrooks, Maurice (1995). Electronic technology, corporate strategy, and world transformation. Westport, Conn.: Quorum Books. p. 53. ISBN 0899309690.
  5. "Member benefits". common.org. Common. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  6. Original System/3 Product Announcement
  7. Frank G. Soltis (1997). Inside the AS/400, Second Edition. Duke Press. ISBN 978-1882419661.
  8. Schleicher, David L. (2006-01-24). "An Interview with DAVID L. SCHLEICHER" (PDF). conservancy.umn.edu (Interview). Interviewed by Arthur L. Norberg. Charles Babbage Institute. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  9. "A Brief History of the IBM AS/400 and iSeries" (PDF). 03.ibm.com. International Business Machines. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 May 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  10. Korzenioski, Paul (14 February 1994). "AS/400 in the LAN environment". InfoWorld. p. 52.
  11. Morgan, Timothy Prickett: "Another AS/400 User Group Powers Down" Archived 2011-12-05 at the Wayback Machine The Four Hundred, October 27, 2008
  12. Rosin, Leah: "COMMON board reveals financial situation at meeting of members" IT Knowledge Exchange, April 30, 2009
  13. Huntington, Todd. "Is the AS/400 Dead?". Forta.com. Forta LLC. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  14. "Events". common.org. Common. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  15. "60+ IBM i User Groups and Communities to Join". fortra.com. Fortra, LLC. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  16. "Power E1080 IBM i Technology Refresh Announcement — September 8, 2021". common.org. Common. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  17. "Conference at a Glance". common.org. Common. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  18. Morgan, Timothy Prickett: "Common User Group Starts Midrange Career Center" Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine IT Jungle, April 14, 2006
  19. "New to IBM i". Common.org. Common. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  20. Khatri, Nirmal. "Everything You Need to Know About the AS400 iSeries (IBM i)". programmers.io. Programmers IO. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
External links