Destination z: A proof-of-concept project lets you boldly go where
you've never been before
Proof-of-concept (POC) demonstration projects can blaze a trail, doing
something on a small scale, for the first time, but perhaps changing
basic assumptions and potentially influencing an industry or the world.
One recent example was the privately launched Dragon supply capsule
reaching the International Space Station; the early mainframe Linux
implementations represent another.
Closer to home, IT POC projects are sometimes called pilot studies or
prototypes. In the data center development/rollout scheme of things,
they come much earlier than efforts such as beta tests, the last bit of
fitness evaluation and tweaking before full release or production. Of
course, even though "proof" connotes assured success, POCs occasionally
fail—but that can be good news, because a concept disproved at an early
stage often prevents a large disaster.
Major mainframe changes often begin with POC projects. Sometimes they're
even off-radar "skunkworks" efforts, hidden until results are
irrefutable and leading to game-changing successes. Linux on System z is
frequently introduced with this toe-in-the-water approach, then scaled
for huge server consolidation.
http://destinationz.org/Mainframe-Solution/Application-Development/Safe-Travels.aspx
Thanks for comments and suggestions for this article.
--
Gabriel Goldberg, Computers and Publishing, Inc. [email protected]
3401 Silver Maple Place, Falls Church, VA 22042 (703) 204-0433
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/gabegold Twitter: GabeG0
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