July 2007 Ten Digit Consulting relocates to the South Florida area. Ten Digit Consulting, founded in 1998 by Chris Fierros after leaving IBM Corporation, has operated as a Michigan corporation for six very successful years between 1999 and 2004. In March 2005 Ten Digit Consulting relocated to Atlanta, Georgia area. In July 2007 Ten Digit Consulting relocates to the South Florida area.

September 2005 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros joins Harbor Payments, Inc. Chris will be providing database administration and application development support for HP’s Billing Harbor platform which runs on DB2 UDB versions 8.2, 7.2, and 6.1 on Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Server , and Windows NT. Harbor Payments provides products, services and insight that enable organizations to manage cash flow more effectively by efficiently sending and receiving invoices, making and collecting payments, and managing all associated internal workflows. Recently recognized by the Deloitte Fast 50 program as one of the fastest-growing technology companies in North America.

August 2005 Ten Digit Consulting adds more contents to the Information Zone for DB2 Universal Database in the form of Tips, Briefs, Articles, and Books. We are just getting started and hope to expand the iZone to include more content in the near future.

March 2005  Ten Digit Consulting relocates to the Atlanta, Georgia area. Ten Digit Consulting, founded in  1998 by Chris Fierros after leaving IBM Corporation, has operated as a Michigan corporation for six very successful years between 1999 and 2004. In March 2005, and after one of the most successful years in business, Chris Fierros relocates Ten Digit Consulting to Norcross, Georgia.

November 2004 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros achieves IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator - DB2 Universal Database V8.1 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows. After having been selected as a Subject Matter Expert by IBM’s Professional Certification Program to participate in the development of the exam for the IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator, Chris delayed taking the exam until late in 2004.

August 2004 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros gets published in DB2 Magazine. Chris authors Doing More with More - The New and Improved DB2 Universal Database v8.2 for DB2 Magazine’s 3rd Quarter 2004 issue which is focused on DB2 Application Development and the new features of DB2 UDB v8.2. Chris has been working with DB2 UDB v8.2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows (LUW), code named Stinger, since early December 2003 and in this article he provides insight into the new autonomic (self-configuring, self-managing, and self-optimizing) features IBM continues to deliver in the upcoming release of DB2 UDB v8.2 for LUW.

June 2004 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros gets published on the IBM DB2 Developer Domain. Chris authors More DB2 UDB Scripting with Windows Scripting Host for the IBM DB2 DeveloperWorks web site. This article is the third in a series of articles on DB2 UDB and Windows Scripting. It covers how to develop DB2 UDB scripts using both Perl and Object REXX in the Windows Scripting Host (WSH) environment and includes script examples in both languages. The first articles in the series on DB2 UDB and Windows Scripting, An Introduction to DB2 UDB Scripting on Windows, explores the different scripting interfaces available with DB2 UDB on the Windows platforms beginning with an overview of the DB2 administrative APIs, the DB2 command line tools, the DB2 system commands, and also includes working examples of DB2 UDB scripts written in the Windows Shell. The second article in the series, DB2 UDB Scripting with Windows Scripting Host, covers how to develop DB2 UDB scripts using native Windows scripting languages including JScript and VBScript in the Windows Scripting Host (WSH) environment and includes DB2 UDB script examples in both languages.

November 2003 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros gets published on the IBM DB2 Developer Domain. Chris authors DB2 UDB Scripting with Windows Scripting Host for the IBM DB2 DeveloperWorks web site. This article is the second in a series of articles on DB2 UDB and Windows Scripting. It covers how to develop DB2 UDB scripts using native Windows scripting languages including JScript and VBScript in the Windows Scripting Host (WSH) environment and includes DB2 UDB script examples in both languages. The first articles in the series on DB2 UDB and Windows Scripting, An Introduction to DB2 UDB Scripting on Windows, explores the different scripting interfaces available with DB2 UDB on the Windows platforms beginning with an overview of the DB2 administrative APIs, the DB2 command line tools, the DB2 system commands, and also includes working examples of DB2 UDB scripts written in the Windows Shell.

September 2003 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros presents at IBM eServer xSeries Technical Conference held September 8 - 10, 2004 in Orlando, FL. Chris was invited by IBM to present on Scaling DB2 UDB on Windows Server 2003 on Thursday September 11 at 2:15 PM. This presentation explores the unique features of the Windows Server 2003 editions and demonstrates how DB2 UDB v8.1 leverages these features to scale up and scale out on 32-bit and 64-bit enterprise ready Intel based servers.

August 2003 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros gets published in IBM RedBook Scaling DB2 UDB on Windows Server 2003. Unable to attend the residency which took place at the IBM lab in Kirkland, WA, due to a client engagement conflict, Chris contributes his seven plus years of experience with DB2 UDB on Windows NT/2K/03 to provide an introductory chapter to the book which begins with an overview of scalability including goals, measurements, and common approaches. This chapter introduces the scalability features of DB2 UDB v8.1, Windows Server 2003, and the IBM xSeries Servers followed by some design considerations for scaling. You can download a copy by following the link above and you should be able to order a hardcopy of this book some time in early August 2003. The following is the abstract Chris wrote for the back cover:

As organizations strive to do more with less, DB2 Universal Database V8.1 on Windows Server 2003 brings unprecedented enterprise-class scalability to 32-bit and 64-bit Intel platforms. Supporting both vertical (scale up) and horizontal (scale out) scaling, DB2 UDB V8.1 represents over a decade of industry-proven scalability with both non-clustered and clustered database architectures.

This IBM Redbook is designed as an informative guide to scaling DB2 UDB V8.1 with Windows Server 2003. It is intended for database and system administrators who need both an introduction and detailed information on scaling DB2 UDB on Windows Server 2003.

We begin with an overview of scalability including the goals, measurements, and common approaches . We introduce the scalability features of DB2 UDB, Windows Server 2003, and the IBM xSeries Servers, followed by design considerations for scaling. We dedicate an entire chapter to running DB2 UDB on 64-bit Windows including installation, configuration, and 64-bit migration techniques. We discuss scaling up and how to leverage large memory support in 32-bit environments. Finally, we include a chapter on scaling out, including adding logical and physical database partitions.

July 2003 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros gets published on the IBM DB2 Developer Domain. Chris authors An Introduction to DB2 UDB Scripting on Windows for the IBM DB2 DeveloperWorks web site. This article is the first in a series of articles on DB2 UDB and Windows Scripting. It explores the different scripting interfaces available with DB2 UDB on the Windows platforms beginning with an overview of the DB2 administrative APIs, the DB2 command line tools, the DB2 system commands, and also includes working examples of DB2 UDB scripts written in the Windows Shell. The second article in this series, DB2 UDB Scripting with Windows Scripting Host, Chris will explore developing DB2 UDB scripts using native Windows scripting languages including both JScript and VBScript in the Windows Scripting Host (WSH) environment. This article is also available in Chinese; Windows 上 DB2 UDB 绦?本?编?制?简?介

June 2003 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros selected as technical editor for Teach Yourself DB2 Universal Database in 21 Days by Susan Visser and Bill Wong. Chris contributed his ten plus years of DB2 UDB technical expertise and practical experience as the technical editor for this book focused on learning DB2 Universal Database v8.1 using the graphical interfaces and wizards that are provided with DB2 UDB for Windows. In this book you are guided through everyday tasks required to install and configure DB2 UDB v8.1 for Windows. The book provides examples and scenarios making it very easy for the read to learn complicated tasks.

May 2003 Ten Digit Consulting first to benchmark DB2 Universal Database v8.1 for Linux on the Egenera BladeFrame. In May 2003 principle consultant Chris Fierros benchmarked DB2 Universal Database v8.1 for Linux on the world’s most advanced blade servers, the Egenera BladeFrame. The Egenera BladeFrame, a single 24x30x84 inch frame, provides the foundation for building high performance and highly available enterprise clusters. Packing in a total of 24 single unit (1U) 4-way (2.0 GHz) Intel Xeon processing blades, called pBlades, the BladeFrame today can scale to 96 CPUs and 288 GB of memory. The pBlades are virtual servers in that they contain only processors and memory. The operating system, either Red Hat Linux or Windows Server 2003, is booted from directly from a storage area network (SAN). Once booted the pBlades become pServers which are logically grouped into processor area networks (PANs) allowing one or more spare blades to be configured for high availability. The BladeFrame provides a 2.5 Gigabits per second redundant point-to-point switched fabric back plane for all internal node-to-node (pBlade) communicates. This high speed back plane makes the Egenera BladeFrame an excellent platform for clustering with DB2 Universal Database v8.1 Enterprise Server Edition (ESE) as all inter-node (database partition) communication is handled by the back plane. To find out more about the Egenera BladeFrame visit www.egenera.com.

March 2003  Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros gets published. After working with a team of DB2 UDB professionals at the IBM Almaden Research Center in San Jose, CA the IBM RedBook titled DB2 UDB Exploitation of Windows Environment is finally going to press. Chris contributes his seven plus years of DB2 UDB experience on Windows NT/2K/03 along with other DB2 UDB experts including Tom Mitchell from IBM Corporation who is well known as the father of DB2’s Command Line Processor (CLP). Chris’ primary contribution to the book includes Chapter 4. Security, Chapter 5. Performance, and Chapter 7. High Availability. You can download a copy by following the link above and you should be able to order a hardcopy of this book some time in early March 2003. The following is the abstract Chris wrote for the back cover:

Although roughly ninety percent of DB2 Universal Database (UDB) on distributed platforms is common code, IBM makes great efforts to exploit the features of each operating system to which it ports; and on Windows, this is no exception. Clearly, the first database product certified for Windows 2000 makes use of more features in the Windows operating system than any other database on the market today and delivers world class record setting price performance.

This IBM Redbook is an informative guide that describes how to effectively implement DB2 UDB V8.1 with Microsoft Windows 2000 operating systems. It is intended for anyone who needs both an introduction and detailed information on installing, configuring, and managing DB2 UDB on Windows.

We begin by exploring the DB2 UDB product family. We cover installation procedures for interactive, unattended, and enterprise deployment. We describe DB2 UDB integration with the Windows domain security model. We discuss system and database performance factors and how to optimize and monitor them as well. We walk you through high availability features including standby and clustered servers. We discuss application development from a DB2 UDB and Windows perspective, providing general tips on building applications and cover integration of the Microsoft development tools.

November 2002 Ten Digit Consulting first to benchmark DB2 Universal Database for Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition on IBM xSeries 440. In November 2002 principle consultant Chris Fierros benchmarked DB2 Universal Database v7.2 for Windows on Microsoft’s latest version of the Windows operating system, Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition running on the world’s first rack mounted Intel based 16-way server, the IBM xSeries 440.

September 2002 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros accepts residency from IBM's International Technical Support Organization (ITSO). Chris is one of three DB2 UDB professionals selected by IBM’s ITSO to contribute technical expertise and practical experience in the development of a IBM RedBook focusing on implementing DB2 UDB v8.1 on the Windows 2000 and Windows .NET platforms. The RedBook which is tentatively titled, DB2 UDB Exploitation of Windows Environment, will be developed during the 4Q 2002 at the IBM Almaden Research Center in San Jose, CA and is expected to be published in 1Q 2003.

July 2002 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros gets published in DB2 Magazine. Chris authors Scaling-Up on Windows 2000 Datacenter Server for DB2 Magazine 3rd Quarter 2002 issue focused on DB2 performance. Chris was the first DB2 Solutions Expert to install and benchmark DB2 UDB on the 32 -way Unisys ES7000 and in this article he provides insight into scaling up on Windows 2000 Datacenter Server (Wintel Big Iron) with DB2 Universal Database on large 16-way and 32-way enterprise ready Intel based servers.

May 2002 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros pulls off certification hat trick at IDUG 2002 North America conference. Chris takes advantage of free DB2 UDB certification exam offerings while attending the conference and becomes IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert in all three categories that include DB2 for Clusters, DB2 Data Replication, and DB2 DRDA.

May 2002 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros presents at IDUG 2002 North America conference held May 12 - 16, 2002 in San Diego, CA. Chris presented Scaling-Up on Windows 2000 Datacenter Server on Monday May 13, 2002 at 1:00 PM moderated by Gene Kligerman manager IBM DB2 Universal Database for Windows. This presentation provides an insight into scaling up on Windows 2000 Datacenter Server (Wintel Big Iron) with DB2 Universal Database on large 16-way and 32-way enterprise ready Intel based servers.

April 2002 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros selected by IBM’s Professional Certification Program as Subject Matter Expert on DB2 UDB. Chris will apply his expertise in DB2 UDB along with other subject matter experts in shaping the next IBM Certified Solutions Expert - DB2 UDB V8.1 Database Administration and IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert - DB2 UDB V8.1 Advanced Database Administration certification exams.

August 2001 Ten Digit Consulting visits the Unisys Application Solution Center (ASC) in Mission Viejo, CA. In August 2001, Chris Fierros, visited the Unisys ASC lab in Mission Viejo, CA to prepare the lab for a joint effort between IBM, Microsoft, and Unisys to further optimize DB2 UDB v7.2 on Unisys’ 32-processor ES7000 CMP Enterprise Server running Windows 2000 Datacenter Server. The results of this effort, although confidential, required only minor code changes in DB2 UDB v7.2 which should be available in Service Pack 4.

May 2001 Ten Digit Consulting first to install DB2 Universal Database v7.2 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server running on Unisys ES7000. In early May 2001, Chris Fierros installed DB2 UDB v7.2 on the Unisys ES7000. The ES7000 is the largest Intel based server to run Windows 2000 Datacenter Server and DB2 Universal Database. The ES7000 is currently available with 32 Intel processors and 32 GB of memory and will be expandable to 64 GB of memory in the future. For one of our clients, Chris plans to benchmark a scale-up implementation with DB2 UDB Enterprise Edition and a scale-out implementation with DB2 UDB Enterprise Extended Edition. Both version can take advantage of the ES7000 32-processor CMP architecture and address up to 64 GB of memory using the new Address Windowing Extension (AWE) API support provided in DB2 UDB v7.2.

April 2001 Ten Digit Consulting principle consultant Chris Fierros achieves DB2 UDB v7 certification. Having missed the IBM DB2 Tech Conference in 2000, Chris takes advantage of DB2 Certification Testing Offer from IBM and becomes IBM Certified DB2 Solutions Expert v7 in DB2 Administration and DB2 Development. Chris is now certified as a DB2 Database Administrator and DB2 Application Developer in version v2, v5, v6, and v7.

September 1999 Ten Digit Consulting founder Chris Fierros achieves DB2 UDB v6 certification. Chris takes advantage of free DB2 UDB certification exams while attending the IBM DB2 Tech Conference in New Orleans, LA and becomes IBM Certified DB2 Solutions Expert v6 in DB2 Administration and DB2 Development. Chris is now certified as a DB2 Database Administrator and DB2 Application Developer in version v2, v5, and v6.

April 1999 Ten Digit Consulting, Inc. signs IBM Business Partner agreement with IBM Corporation and becomes Advanced IBM Business Partner for Software. The IBM Business Partner for Software program requires that advanced members hold at least two IBM professional certifications and submit three client references. To find out more about the IBM Business Partner for Software program visit IBM Partner World for Software.

December 1998 Ten Digit Consulting files articles of incorporation with State of Michigan becomes Ten Digit Consulting, Inc. effective January 1999.

November 1998 Ten Digit Consulting opens for business. On November 1st, 1998 Chris Fierros leaves IBM Corporation and starts Ten Digit Consulting a DB2 Universal Database company providing world class consulting, services, and support for DB2 Universal Database.