Mainline Information Systems, IBM and the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee Support Advanced Education for the Academy of Information Technology at Godby High School

Delivering Hands-On System z Experience for Local Students in Technology Career Academy

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Mainline Information Systems, a leading IBM Premier Business Partner, IBM and the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County joined together to send 25 students from Amos P. Godby High School to the annual IBM System z Expo held October 5th - 9th, 2009 in Orlando, Florida.

Travis Yelverton, existing industry director of the Economic Development Council, brought together IBM and Mainline to leverage resources and support the technology education efforts of Godby's Academy of Information Technology Program. "Godby has a seasoned career academy that prepares students with industry certifications for workforce readiness and career-path guidance," explained Yelverton. "Mainline and IBM are both strong supporters of initiatives that deliver technology education to high school students. Giving students hands-on experience with the industry-leading IBM System z Server was an incredible opportunity."

"The IBM System z Expo brings together skilled mainframe professionals who make sure our everyday transactions from ATMs to online shopping run smoothly without interruption," stated Marc Smith, business development executive for IBM who was the on-site IBM representative for the students. "The students learned about promising career options with System z and got a rare opportunity to connect with industry leaders who could become their future employers. Mainline's generous sponsorship gave the students an up-close viewing of a System z server, which typically resides in a remote data center of a multinational company."

Jacky Diaz, lead teacher for Godby's Academy of Information Technology, explained how this conference and the System z education supports the program goals. "Our program goes beyond technology-focused electives. We provide students with college-preparatory academic courses, as well as training for industry-level certification testing that will enable them to have good jobs while working their way through college, or to enter the work force after high school. In addition, we give them the necessary knowledge-base to succeed in competitive college-level technology courses."

Mainline and IBM know the value of System z/Mainframe technology education. "In the future, without solid System z and Mainframe skilled professionals, many companies will face costly solution migrations," stated Doug Harrell, vice president of System z sales for Mainline. "Leading corporations rely on the System z platform for running their critical business processes, and these effective and efficient systems need to be supported by skilled professionals. Mainline and IBM join together to provide technology education to today's students, knowing they will be tomorrow's leaders enabling business success for companies worldwide."

About Mainline Information Systems, Inc.
Founded in 1989, Mainline began by offering information technology solutions and consulting in the IBM midrange markets. Since then, it has become an IBM Premier Business Partner and global provider of information technology and business solutions with more than 600 employees nationwide. Headquartered at 1700 Summit Lake Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32317, Mainline provides solutions throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Brazil and Mexico. The company may be reached by phone at 850.219.5000 and on the Internet at www.mainline.com. For more information about this solution, call your Mainline account representative or call Mainline directly at 866.490.MAIN (6246).

About System z
Often known as one of the world's most sophisticated business servers, System z operates as the technology engine for the daily computing transactions of major global companies, such as the top 50 worldwide banks and 22 of the top 25 U.S. retailers. System z offers the computing capacity equivalent to 1,500 x86 servers and uses 85 percent less floor space and up to 85 percent less energy. IBM's System z computing innovations and career potential for young students have attracted over 600 schools worldwide to teach coursework in enterprise computing. For more information about System z, visit www.ibm.com/mainframe.

About the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County
The Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County (EDC) is a public/private partnership with the City of Tallahassee and Leon County, and is a division of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. The EDC markets the competitive assets of the Tallahassee region locally and globally through a four-part message of world-class talent, world-renowned research and development, engaged high-tech industry, and planned growth and development. The success of the region is based on a balanced approach to economic development that includes emphasis in nurturing existing industry, developing entrepreneurial and new business opportunities, and attracting like-minded companies to the area. For more on the EDC, visit www.taledc.com.


Mainline Information Systems is a trademark of Mainline Information Systems, Inc.© Mainline Information Systems, 2009. Progress, DataDirect and Shadow are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation or one of its affiliates or subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.