- May 25, 2023
- vofox
IBM’s Power Systems platform, previously AS/400, is used by over 100,000 companies worldwide for critical business applications. It offers scalability, reliability, security, and an integrated database, attracting a dedicated global user community. These applications are crucial for organizations as they contain important business rules and data. Modernizing them is a cost-effective and low-risk way to incorporate modern technologies and support business growth in the digital age. By intelligently planning a digital transformation, organizations can update their IT infrastructure and systems, and we will explore how modernizing IBM i applications can help drive digital transformation
IBM i application modernization involves updating and improving old applications on IBM i systems to work better with modern computing. These applications are usually outdated and run on old hardware and software. Modernizing them means making them more flexible, scalable, and compatible with current technology like cloud computing and microservices architecture.
Modernizing IBM i apps by adopting a microservices architecture improves agility. Breaking down the applications into smaller components allows for faster and more flexible development. Developers can make changes and add features without impacting the entire system, enabling quicker responses to business requirements. Continuous integration and deployment are also facilitated, leading to faster and more frequent updates to the application.
Monolithic applications are challenging and expensive to scale, often requiring the entire application to be scaled up, even if only one component is facing high load or performance issues. Modernizing IBM i apps by breaking them down into smaller, independent components makes it easier to scale individual components as needed. This approach ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, preventing waste and reducing overall costs.
Legacy applications can be costly to maintain due to the need for specialized hardware and software, as well as the complexity of the system. Modernizing IBM i apps by moving them to cloud-based environments and adopting microservices architecture reduces hardware and software costs, and makes the application easier to manage and maintain. This approach also reduces technical debt, enabling organizations to allocate resources to more strategic initiatives.
Legacy applications may have security vulnerabilities due to outdated technology and lack of updates. Modernizing the applications to a more secure architecture can help protect against cyber threats and ensure compliance with regulations.
Modernized IBM i apps can improve user experience and productivity. By updating the user interface and making applications more accessible, users can navigate and use the applications more easily, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
One strategy for IBM i app modernization is to move from a monolithic architecture to a microservices architecture. In a microservices architecture, components of the application are decoupled, allowing for more flexibility in deployment and scalability. This approach can make applications easier to update, scale, and maintain over time. However, modernizing IBM i apps can be time-consuming and expensive, and requires significant effort and resources.
Cloud migration is another strategy for modernizing IBM i applications. This approach involves moving applications from on-premises servers to cloud-based servers, providing organizations with greater flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. Cloud migration can also help to reduce the need for hardware and software maintenance while providing access to new features and capabilities. However, migrating to the cloud can introduce new security risks, and requires careful planning and management to ensure a successful migration.
This is another strategy for IBM i modernization. This approach involves connecting IBM i applications with other systems, such as CRM or ERP systems, through APIs and other integration tools. This can help to improve data sharing and streamline business processes, enabling organizations to operate more efficiently and effectively. Integration with other systems can also help to increase agility and innovation, as organizations can take advantage of new technologies and innovations. However, integrating with other systems can also introduce complexity and require ongoing management and maintenance.
IBM i modernization can take many different forms, each with its own pros and cons. It is important to carefully evaluate each approach and determine the best strategy for each organization’s specific needs and goals.
IT strategy and planning can be a major challenge during IBM i app modernization, particularly as organizations aim to balance short-term objectives with long-term goals. One of the key issues faced by organizations is the need to manage complexity, particularly when modernizing large legacy applications. This can be particularly challenging in the context of IBM i apps, which often feature monolithic architectures that are difficult to update and scale. In order to address this challenge, organizations need to develop a clear modernization strategy that prioritizes key objectives, such as scalability, agility, and cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, the key to successful IT strategy and planning during IBM i app modernization is to take a holistic, long-term approach that balances short-term objectives with long-term goals. This requires a clear understanding of business requirements and IT capabilities, as well as a willingness to embrace new technologies and approaches. By focusing on incremental modernization, cloud-first strategies, and integration with other systems and platforms, organizations can achieve the scalability, agility, and cost-effectiveness they need to succeed in the digital age.
Modernizing IBM i apps for GUI, web, and mobile platforms can present several challenges, such as:
To address these challenges, organizations can adopt various modernization solutions, such as:
Staffing and application services: Such kinds of challenges can be addressed by the corresponding solutions as follows:
Whether through app modernization, cloud migration, or integration with other systems, modernizing IBM i applications can help organizations stay competitive in today’s digital landscape by improving agility, scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness. It is therefore imperative that organizations choose the right experts to carefully craft and execute successful IBM i modernization roadmaps to drive their digital transformation. Our specialists at Vofox are just the right people for the job. With multiple years of experience in modernizing IBM i applications, we have what it takes to seamlessly futureproof your organization and make it more relevant in today’s digital arena. Contact us today and get started.
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