COMMON EUROPE CONGRESS 2025

COMMON EUROPE CONGRESS 2025

WELCOME TO COMMON EUROPE CONGRESS 2025

Don’t forget to reach out to your local country user group to get the discount code for the congress!

Common Europe, in collaboration with Common Sweden, is delighted to be holding its annual flagship event, Common Europe Congress, in the friendly city of Gothenburg offering extensive education, networking and relaxation opportunities. It’s also a great opportunity for exploring the city… so why not take a family mini-break as well.
Congress education areas targeted are IBM Power hardware, Application Development, Advanced RPG, Open Source tools and Languages, System Management, Db2 and SQL, IBM Storage, IBM i services and microservices, Security and Compliance and much more.
There will be two AIX / Linux tracks, to emphasize the Power Systems character of Common Europe.
Top IBM Business Architects and industry experts have already agreed to share their knowledge on the latest announcements, customer cases as well as practical subjects.
The congress content includes:

3 ½ days of latest education delivered by top IBM and industry leading speakers punctuated by large breaks offering maximum networking,
Three-hour in-depth workshops, 60 minutes’ education sessions and solution provider’s special slots,
A Solution Providers’ Centre open for 2 ½ days with top European and worldwide technology companies at their booths presenting innovative practical solutions that will enhance our solutions,
A Congress Dinner in the hotel with live entertainment.

We have negotiated special room rates in the Congress hotel itself,
The Common Europe Organization Team looks forward to seeing you in picturesque Gothenburg.

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

10:00 CEST

OpenShift, Microservices, AI (LLM & RAG) plus .NET Deployment on IBM Power Systems

Monday June 2, 2025 10:00 - 13:00 CEST

This interactive workshop offers participants a unique "choose-your-path" experience in working with OpenShift Container Platform (OCP) on IBM Power Systems. Participants can select from four distinct laboratory tracks based on their interests and technical priorities, with the flexibility to complete multiple tracks if time permits.
Workshop Overview
The session begins with a brief introduction to OpenShift on IBM Power Systems and an overview of the available tracks. Participants will then have approximately 2.5 hours of hands-on lab time to pursue their chosen path(s), with continuous support from expert instructor.
Available Laboratory Tracks
1. Single-Node OCP Installation
o Learn the fundamentals of installing OpenShift Container Platform on IBM Power
o Work with Ansible scripts for automation
o Configure and manage LPARs through the Hardware Management Console
2. Deploy x86 Microservice Solution on IBM Power with OpenShift
o Port an existing x86 microservice application to Power ppc64le architecture
o Build and optimize container images using Dockerfiles
o Work with OpenShift Internal Registry
3. AI/ML Track: LLM & RAG Implementation
o Deploy LLM & Streamlit for interactive querying
o Deploy Minio to access private storage & Milvus vector database
o Implement Retrieval Augmented Generation with sample data
o Test and evaluate RAG model performance
4. .NET Development Track
o Deploy .NET applications using various methods (RHEL, Podman, S2I)
o Work with different application types (console, web, SignalR)
o Implement container registry operations with Quay.io
o Configure OpenShift deployment workflows

I will provide IBM Power, software and lab guide resources.
Please bring your laptop with admin rights to install VPN to access Power resources.
I recommend installing and testing the VPN before the class.

Speakers

Paul Chapman

Global Power Modernisation Technical Lead, IBM UK

Firstly, I love creating memories with my family and dog, Buddy. Previously I enjoyed European motorcycle tours and track days and still own an Aprilia RSV1000. I spend my recreation time SCUBA diving or anything else adventurous. I have participated in Project Shark in the Red Sea... Read More →

Monday June 2, 2025 10:00 - 13:00 CEST
10 - R15

Workshop

14:00 CEST

PowerSC hands-on Lab LIMITED

Monday June 2, 2025 14:00 - 17:00 CEST

With increasing focus across all industries on Security and Compliance to regulations, securing your Power workloads has never been more important. This hands-on lab shows you how to use many of the features in PowerSC to keep your IBM i, AIX, and Linux workloads more secure.
Bring your own device to participate - you will need to install OpenVPN and have an SSH client and browser.

By Andrew Laidlaw

Speakers

Andrew Laidlaw

Senior Power Technical Specialist, IBM

A Technical Specialist with IBM Power covering the UK & Ireland.Feel free to talk to me about any interesting topics in technology at the moment, and in particular how they relate to the Power platform that we all know and love. That includes (but is not limited to):AIModernisationAutomationHybrid... Read More →

Monday June 2, 2025 14:00 - 17:00 CEST
10 - R15

Workshop

10:40 CEST

Using your existing Power investment for AI loads LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:40 - 11:40 CEST

Problem: We had an ever-increasing need for processing power running advanced analytics and AI workloads. Initially everything ran in a WMware/Intel environment which demanded more and more virtual hosts.

At the same time, we had a set-up where the ERP system ran on one master Power server and another hot stand-by Power server. The hot stand-by host was in principle never used other than when failover tests were performed.

Solution: We slightly redesigned the existing analytics platform and ported it to Linux on Power utilizing the hot standby server. The solution was from the beginning designed so that in case the hot stand-by was ever needed the workload could be dynamically distributed to other computing environments on-prem or in the cloud.

Configuration: The solution is based on open technologies to allow for flexible deployments on-prem or in any cloud. The primary building blocks are Apache Spark, Kubernetes, MongoDB and Elasticsearch. In addition to that other technologies are used to solve particular analytics or AI problems. The system is governed by a redundant master controller where the deployment of compute nodes is managed. The actual workloads and data pipelines are handled by a redundant job controller. Compute jobs are mainly run in Spark using SQL, R and Python and all data is stored in MongoDB or in Parquet or Delta table formats.

Conclusion: Utilizing spare capacity is extremely cost effective and performing heavy data processing on-prem can save a considerable amount of money.

by Peter Haneklou

Speakers

Peter Haneklou

CTO, Pacing Sweden AB

I am dedicated to driving innovation at the intersection of AI, Data science, and business strategy. I believe the true potential lies not just in algorithms, but in their thoughtful and practical application to create competitive advantages and new opportunities. My experience involves... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:40 - 11:40 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

11:50 CEST

Introduction to AIX RBAC and Implementation Best Practices LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 11:50 - 12:50 CEST

Join this session to not only know the theory about AIX Role-Based Access Control but getting to know the Dos and Don'ts when implementing RBAC. This presentation is based on real customer projects and show you the best practices when using RBAC to reduce the need for root access.

Speakers

Thomas Barlen

Senior Managing Consultant, IBM

IT consultant architecting and implementing security solutions mainly in the IBM i and AIX area. I am also a frequent speaker at technical conferences. Specialties: Cryptography, Single Signon, Security assessments, Access Control concepts and implementation, IBM i networking, IBM... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 11:50 - 12:50 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

14:00 CEST

Building IBM Power as a Service Platform from Scratch: A Deep Dive into Integration with Hybrid Multi-Cloud Environments LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 14:00 - 15:00 CEST

Learn about the top use cases for AI on Power 10. In this session, learn about design decisions, deployment, and challenges of AI on IBM Power, including taking advantage of MMA on Power10

Speakers

Youssef Largou

CEO, Power Maroc

As executive associate director, my focus is on delivering essential technology stack and frameworks to help organizations reinvent themselves and realize their digital transformation, modernize their infrastructure and move mission critical workloads across clouds. I focus my time... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 14:00 - 15:00 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

15:15 CEST

SPS LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 15:15 - 15:40 CEST

Tuesday June 3, 2025 15:15 - 15:40 CEST
10 - R15

Solution provider

15:50 CEST

Introduction to AI

Tuesday June 3, 2025 15:50 - 16:50 CEST

AI is transforming industries, redefining business processes, and unlocking new possibilities across IT landscapes. In this session, we will explore the fundamentals of AI, its key concepts, and its impact on enterprise computing. We will discuss how AI technologies—such as machine learning, natural language processing, and automation—are shaping modern IT strategies, particularly in environments leveraging IBM Power Systems and Linux.

Join us for this insightful introduction to AI, designed for IT professionals looking to understand AI’s potential and how it aligns with IBM-based solutions. Whether you're new to AI or seeking ways to leverage it in your organization, this session will provide a clear roadmap for getting started.

Speakers

Mirza Ćutuk

Solutions Architect, InnoBoost SA

I am a Junior Solutions Architect with a passion for designing, building and implementing creative digital solutions. I enjoy solving complex problems, finding interesting use-cases for technologies and products that already exist, as well as making things from scratch. I am currently... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 15:50 - 16:50 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux, AI

17:00 CEST

Accelerating Enterprise AI with IBM Power10: From LLMs to Real-World Applications LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 17:00 - 18:00 CEST

Join Paul Chapman, for an in-depth exploration of how IBM Power10 is transforming enterprise AI deployment. Paul will demonstrate live how to deploy LLM & RAG, showcasing how Power10's built-in Matrix Math Accelerator (MMA), large memory capacity, and advanced threading capabilities enable organizations to efficiently run AI workloads including Large Language Models (LLMs) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) applications. Through real customer examples spanning healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing, learn how organizations are achieving up to 60% better performance and 48% lower energy consumption compared to x86 alternatives. The session will cover both enterprise solutions like IBM Cloud Pak for Data and open-source options including RocketCE, demonstrating practical paths to AI adoption regardless of your starting point. Get hands-on insights into deploying and optimizing AI workloads on Power10, and discover how to begin your organization's AI journey through IBM's use case alignment workshops.

Speakers

Paul Chapman

Global Power Modernisation Technical Lead, IBM UK

Firstly, I love creating memories with my family and dog, Buddy. Previously I enjoyed European motorcycle tours and track days and still own an Aprilia RSV1000. I spend my recreation time SCUBA diving or anything else adventurous. I have participated in Project Shark in the Red Sea... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 17:00 - 18:00 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

08:00 CEST

AI Use Cases on IBM Power10

Wednesday June 4, 2025 08:00 - 09:00 CEST

Learn about the top use cases for AI on Power 10. In this session, learn about design decisions, deployment, and challenges of AI on IBM Power, including taking advantage of MMA on Power10.

Speakers

Youssef Largou

CEO, Power Maroc

As executive associate director, my focus is on delivering essential technology stack and frameworks to help organizations reinvent themselves and realize their digital transformation, modernize their infrastructure and move mission critical workloads across clouds. I focus my time... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 08:00 - 09:00 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

10:20 CEST

Single Node OpenShift on Power – A game changer!

Wednesday June 4, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 CEST

What if you could dive into the world of containers with minimal resources? With OpenShift running on a single IBM LPAR, traditional IBM i and AIX customers can take their first steps into containerization with a tiny footprint. Join me to see just how easy it is to deploy OpenShift on Power and what it takes to build a fully functional container management platform!

by Nicolae Chirea

Speakers

Nicolae Chirea

System Architect, Seidor Iberia

Wednesday June 4, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

11:30 CEST

Securing AI – Challenges and Best Practices LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30 - 12:30 CEST

AI becomes a critical component of enterprise IT, ensuring its security is paramount. AI systems introduce new risks, from data privacy concerns to adversarial attacks and model integrity threats. This session will explore the key security challenges associated with AI, particularly in environments running on IBM Power Systems and Linux.

We will discuss best practices for securing AI applications, including data protection strategies, governance frameworks, and risk mitigation techniques. Attendees will gain insights into how AI-driven security solutions can enhance threat detection and response while ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

Speakers

Mirza Ćutuk

Solutions Architect, InnoBoost SA

I am a Junior Solutions Architect with a passion for designing, building and implementing creative digital solutions. I enjoy solving complex problems, finding interesting use-cases for technologies and products that already exist, as well as making things from scratch. I am currently... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30 - 12:30 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux, AI

12:40 CEST

TBD LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:40 - 13:05 CEST

Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:40 - 13:05 CEST
10 - R15

Solution provider

14:05 CEST

GenAI on IBM Power can answer your questions about Harry Potter, and much more!

Wednesday June 4, 2025 14:05 - 15:05 CEST

Everyone is talking about GenAI, and in this session we will show GenAI running on IBM Power. You may also be aware that GenAI models don't know everything, and can make up answers. Join us to see how we can improve the answers GenAI creates, from data you can control, without retraining the model.

Speakers

David Spurway

IBM Power AI and Security Principal, EMEA, IBM Technology Sales, IBM

As the Global Principal IBM Power, David is the primary evangelist for IBM Power in IBM Technology Sales. He regularly meets and presents to a range of audiences, from CxO to new graduates, articulating the value of our solutions. Whether the topic is the existing IBM Power offerings... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 14:05 - 15:05 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

15:20 CEST

Kubernetes on Power: hard, not so hard and easy way LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 15:20 - 16:20 CEST

Everyone talks about OpenShift. Why do we need it? What's the difference between Kubernetes and OpenShift? What can happen if you decide to run pure Kubernetes on IBM Power?

By Andrey Klyachkin

Speakers

Andrey Klyachkin

Managing Director, eNFence

I help companies build standardized, completely automated and agile IBM Power infrastructure.➤ It minimizes your time to market for new apps and features.➤ It optimizes your IT operational costs.➤ It enhances your security.WHAT HAVE I ACHIEVED?➤ POWER DevOps (https://www.power-devops.com... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 15:20 - 16:20 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

16:30 CEST

Deploy Modern Enterprise Applications on IBM Power with OpenShift & Multi-Architecture Compute: Seamlessly Running x86 and Power Workloads Together LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 16:30 - 17:30 CEST

Join Paul Chapman to explore OpenShift & Multi-Architecture Compute capabilities. This session demonstrates how organizations can leverage both x86 and IBM Power architectures within a single OpenShift cluster, enabling more flexible and efficient containerized workload deployment. Through practical demonstrations including installation of Single Node OpenShift and deployment of an x86 microservices-based application on IBM Power, attendees will learn how to:

- Install Single Node OpenShift on Power systems
- Deploy x86 microservice solution on IBM Power with OpenShift Container Platform
- Migrate .NET 7.0 microservice to .NET 9.0
- Migrate microservice workloads between x86 and Power architectures

Drawing from actual customer implementations, including a major healthcare provider's success story, this session provides valuable insights for organizations looking to optimize their infrastructure while maintaining operational simplicity. Whether you're considering modernization strategies or already running mixed architecture environments, you'll gain practical knowledge about deploying and managing multi-architecture compute solutions in production.

Speakers

Paul Chapman

Global Power Modernisation Technical Lead, IBM UK

Firstly, I love creating memories with my family and dog, Buddy. Previously I enjoyed European motorcycle tours and track days and still own an Aprilia RSV1000. I spend my recreation time SCUBA diving or anything else adventurous. I have participated in Project Shark in the Red Sea... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 16:30 - 17:30 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

09:10 CEST

Automation with Ansible (AAP) and Power Systems - PowerVC, HMC, AIX & Linux

Thursday June 5, 2025 09:10 - 10:10 CEST

• Session is all about how we went from semi manual workflow to deployment of an IKEA AIX Technical Standard via Ansible and PowerVC. The sessions shows our workflow for deployment and delete plus D2D tasks including
zoning, storage, power systems, dual vios and AIX configuration. To support this automation even more we use EP20.

By Stephan Åkeborg

Speakers

Stephan Åkeborg

Systems Engineer Digital Compute Platforms, IKEA

Keep an expert competence within Power Systems, PowerVM, AIX and PowerHA, Linux, Storage Protect and Storage Systems. Cloud implementations based on PowerVC in complex environments, including automation through Ansible.Maintain IBM certifications.Other specialties: Customer suited... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 09:10 - 10:10 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

10:20 CEST

AIX Trends and Directions LIMITED

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 CEST

In this session, I shall discuss how IBM AIX has grown and has new skills! IBM AIX has a strong, published roadmap out beyond 2038 and aligns to the IBM Technology Atlas that shows IBM’s technical direction. In this session, I shall focus on how AIX particularly delivers for Security, Hybrid Cloud and AI. Join us to learn more!

Speakers

David Spurway

IBM Power AI and Security Principal, EMEA, IBM Technology Sales, IBM

As the Global Principal IBM Power, David is the primary evangelist for IBM Power in IBM Technology Sales. He regularly meets and presents to a range of audiences, from CxO to new graduates, articulating the value of our solutions. Whether the topic is the existing IBM Power offerings... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 CEST
10 - R15

AIX/Linux

COMMON EUROPE CONGRESS 2025

From €204.79