The power of NonStop Regional User Groups (RUGs)

Do you recognize the heading? The photo? If you keep an eye on posts to LinkedIn then you may have seen this. However, if checking social media channels isn’t something you do, then this will be new to you. However, every time I see this photo of Margo walking alongside Manly pool and ferry wharf, I am reminded of just how global the NonStop community has become. While this was taken just as summer began, little did we know at that time that it would be only a few months later that we would return for OzTUG events in Sydney and Melbourne.

Since attending my first ITUG event (Nice, France, Spring of 1992) I have missed very few of these biannual global events – typically, one is held in the US the other in Europe, and I managed to justify the travel. At the time, I was relatively new to Tandem Computers, as it was known, back in the day. I was coming off two decades of IBM Mainframe experience and brought with me just a hint of superiority – yes, I knew all about big systems. However, when I began familiarizing myself with Tandem what I thought I knew gradually receded as I embraced an entirely new architecture.

However, as I look back on those early days and on my first experience with ITUG, my attendance in Nice was transformational (that is, with respect to my career), as it was during this event that I was interviewed twice by different Tandem managers, both of whom were in Tandem product marketing – Gary Sabo and Chris Rooke. Both provided enticing representations of their groups but as Chris asked me first, I joined his team that very year. Moving from a development program manager to product marketing was, for me, an easy decision to make – perhaps along the lines of being “the easiest decision in the history of decisions.”

I know that there are business colleagues who have attended more biannual Tandem and then NonStop events – Bill Honaker comes to mind – but when you then include all the RUG events that together Margo and I have attended then maybe that gap with Bill closes somewhat. In the US, both SunTUG and N2TUG have become the major drawcards and of the two, N2TUG is dearest to my heart. Would it surprise you to read that in 1977, Dallas became the first US city I moved to when I joined Datacom and its database team?  And how did I get that invite from Datacom President, Ken Parker? I gave a keynote presentation at the annual Datacom customers event.

What I find most intriguing about today’s RUG events – and no, as much as others argue in favor of calling them Chapters (too DEC-ish for my taste), for me they will always be viewed as RUG events. For HPE, direct participation provides a litmus test on the health of the NonStop community and it never surprises me to see the faces of HPE NonStop new hires and interns when they see the positive / enthusiast interactions between the NonStop team, customers, vendors, consultants and influencers.

Yes, the NonStop community still attracts influencers. Whether independents like Margo and me, or experts in a particular field or even senior NonStop managers – clearly the likes of Neil Davis and Karen Ramirez let alone Casey Taylor – fall into this category as did Martin Fink, many years ago. Then again, whenever we talk to our colleagues back in the office, or to newly acquired acquaintances, at RUG events we are evangelizing NonStop in our own way. Influencing begins small and it may only be a remark in passing that direction of the course a NonStop customer may be taking – and all because of your positive influence!

The evening stroll by Margo along the harbor foreshore is a constant reminder that travel is a must for any vendor, consultant or influencer. There may be the bright lights of the city that attract us but it’s much more. As the Golden Anniversary of NonStop approaches, it is a sober thought that NonStop has provided value for half a century and today, it is every bit as modern as competitors claim their own offerings are, new NonStop system continue to be shipped. But where does the future lie? What markets will open for NonStop.

If the events of the past few weeks with Clouds fending off ferocious DDoS attacks and CloudStrike taking down much of the world’s infrastructure (make you wonder if having cash and avoiding flying are in our future) are any indication, perhaps a strong word or two from the NonStop community can steer conversations in a positive way for NonStop. And what about Schwab who posted to X as financial markets spiraled downwards recently, “Due to a technical issue, some clients may have difficulty logging in to Schwab platforms. Please accept our apologies as our teams work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Hold times may be longer than usual.”

In the meantime, here we are as a community, such is life with NonStop that issues like this rarely generate a raised eyebrow let alone anxious posts to social media channels. Moreover, as every RUG participant knows all too well, quite the opposite is about to take place. Yes, it is 2024 and it’s time to celebrate!

Hyatt Regency; Spyglass Suite [E]
Room 508 – 510

See you all in Monterey for the NonStop TBC2024 and yes, here’s to the next fifty years. Look for my own personal take on this anniversary year (and yes, I will likely reuse this photo as well) that will shortly appear in the August issue of NonStop Insider. And as a reminder, courtesy of NTI, for the duration of the NonStop TBC2024 Margo and I  will be playing host at the Spyglass Hospitality Suite for all attendees wanting a place to go for that late night conversation and an opportunity to strengthen their newly developed personal networks.

Relaxing amongst friends and those who for decades have long influenced the course of NonStop. All while sipping quietly on an adult beverage. And of course, just a reminder none of this would have been possible without the support of NTI. Until then, safe travels and make sure you register as we are so looking forward to seeing you.

Celebrating fifty years is a very special occasion. So, let’s embrace the milestone; it has been one wonderous trip. Happy Birthday, Tandem! Happy Birthday NonStop! Happy Birthday RUGs and the community in general.