A major reason for small and mid-sized enterprises to deploy JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is to gain efficiency and save money, IBM and Oracle have just made this easier than ever—especially on the costs side of the equation.

These ERP systems, with core E1 modules, complementary Oracle software and tools, offer a tightly integrated, highly effective strategy for any type of business, whether it’s retail, construction or distributors. The common quest is to save money.

The IBM i Solution Edition for JD Edwards offers the same benefits, and the latest-generation POWER7 processor-based servers along with the IBM i operating system are aggressively priced.

The IBM i Solution Edition for JD Edwards is just as cheap, and in some cases, cheaper than JDE on Intel.

For configurations supporting 50, 150 and 500 E1 users, initial costs for POWER7-based systems with IBM i average 37% less than for Windows servers equipped with SQL Server databases, and 68% less than for x86 Linux servers equipped with Oracle databases.

Here’s a quick view of how initial costs for EnterpriseOne deployment compare on average (in thousands):

Power system/i: 68.2 (no charge installation - planned availability 2011)
Windows/SQL Server: 107.9 (installation/startup, bulk is in acquisition costs)
Linux/Oracle: 211.7 (installation/startup, bulk is in acquisition costs)

And according to the same ITG status report, overall three-year costs for POWER7-based systems with IBM i are significantly lower.

Costs (includes maintenance and software support, personnel for system and database administration, and facilities) average 49% less than for Windows servers with SQL Server databases, and 64% less than for x86 Linux servers with Oracle databases. Much of this cost difference is delivered by the standard three-year warranty for the Power 720 or Power 740 server.

It’s hard to imagine how much easier IBM can make it to justify pulling in the dynamic ERP solution that saves money, drives business and increases operational efficiencies.

Here’s another glimpse at the savings IBM is providing, using a 150-user scenario (mid range):
Hardware/software licenses:
Power7 System Servers: 55,721
Windows/SQL Servers: 54,839
Linux/Oracle Servers: 106,104

Installation and setup:
Power7 System Servers: 0
Windows/SQL Servers: 5,200
Linux/Oracle Servers: 1,300

Maintenance costs:
Power7 System Servers: 12,750
Windows/SQL Servers: 33,091
Linux/Oracle Servers: 75,251

Initial costs:
Power7 System Servers: 55,721
Windows/SQL Servers: 370,040
Linux/Oracle Servers: 107,404

Then there’s that increasing energy cost savings, which ITG describes as “significantly lower” compared to Windows and Linux servers. IBM POWER7 technology consumes almost 30 times less energy than IBM POWER4.

There’s just no reason remaining for SMBs not to get JD Edwards on IBM i. Unless, of course, they’re not looking to save money and boost business performance.

To request a no-charge IBM i Solution Edition sizing estimate for your JD Edwards implementation click here.

To read the entire ITG study referenced you candownload the full report ,

If you have questions regarding the IBM i Solution Editions for JD Edwards contact your IBM business partner or send and e-mail to ibmoracl@us.ibm.com