Charter

Group Purpose

The Spectrum Scale (GPFS) User Group is free to join and open to all using, interested in using or integrating Spectrum Scale. We welcome Spectrum Scale users from a wide range of industries and are not sector specific. Our membership represents media, academia, research, automotive, defence, pharmaceutical industries, etc.

The Spectrum Scale User Group aims to:

  • Bring together users of Spectrum Scale and Spectrum Scale with Spectrum Protect with ILM (TSM/HSM) into a collective environment
  • Represent the needs of the Spectrum Scale User Group members
  • Liaise with IBM and our User Group members to improve Spectrum Scale and Spectrum Scale with Spectrum Protect
  • Provide a “localised” community for support and knowledge sharing
  • Raise awareness of Spectrum Scale as a capable data management platform

Types of activities to expect from the group

The format of the group is a web community with events held annually, usually hosted by our members. The Spectrum Scale User Group is not officially endorsed by IBM but given the nature of it, has strong links with Spectrum Scale representatives and developers within IBM.

Communications to expect from the group

Most group communications are circulated via the mailing list and website. For mailing list members, an email is sent once a month for members to update their preferences.

Role of group members

  • Get involved and share your feedback
  • Network and share with other members, such as responding to questions or inviting group members to the network
  • Help other members by sharing your experiences, tips and ideas by writing for the website.
  • Members are welcome to post technical blogs of interest to other members (Please contact Group Chair for a Blog access).
  • The group is for technical discussion and not to be used as a sales and marketing opportunity for vendors

How to get involved

  • Sign up to the mailing list
  • Contribute to discussions where relevant
  • Attend meetings
  • Join the committee and act as an industry representative

Committee Members and Roles

The group committee comprises of the Chair Person, Secretary and Systems Support. The committee includes those in the USA based chapter of the group and may include one non executive IBM member per region.

We welcome support from any group member willing to contribute their knowledge and time.

UK based group

  • The Group Chair is responsible for arranging and leading meetings as well as acting as the spokesperson for the group. The group chair is responsible for UK based activity and should be located in the United Kingdom and be a user of Spectrum Scale. The chair’s decision on all activity related to the Spectrum Scale User Group in its entirety is final.
  • The Group Secretary is responsible for coordinating with the chair on the formal meeting agendas as well as communicating announcements to the group through the mailing list and website. The group secretary is responsible for UK based activity and should be located in the United Kingdom.
  • Systems Support is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the User Group; website, mailing list, domain, e-mails etc.

USA Based Chapter

In addition to the UK group, there is also a USA based chapter of the Spectrum Scale User Group. The roles associated with the USA based chapter are Principal and Co-Principal

  • The Principal is responsible for arranging and leading meetings for USA based activity of the group. The principal should be located in the USA and be a user of Spectrum Scale.
  • The Co-Principal is responsible for working with the Principal in arranging and leading meetings for USA based activity of the group. The co-principal should be located in the USA and be a user of Spectrum Scale.

Role Tenure

The roles of the committee are usually held for a period of two years. If a role is held by someone who is no longer eligible to hold that role, then the role should be re-filled at the earliest opportunity. People wishing to take on a role will be asked to express an expression of interest in the role and where only one response is received, then this person will automatically fill the role.

Escalation / DCMA

Should a member or 3rd party have an issue with any undertaking of the group (for example, but not limited to, postings, email content, representations) the member or 3rd party shall firstly contact the Chair and Secretary. A response will be made within 60 days. The member or 3rd party accepts that the decision made by the Chair and Secretary is binding and final. All legal issues will be undertaken in an English court.