What is IBM i Modernization?
IBM i Modernization refers to the process of upgrading and enhancing IBM i systems—formerly known as AS/400—to meet the demands of modern business environments.
Although IBM i environments have been a mainstay of enterprise IT systems, keeping them updated is key to continued competitiveness and efficiency as business requirements and technology evolve over time.
Modernization, in the context of IBM i, typically involves updating of legacy apps, adoption of new technologies and optimization of existing infrastructure.
This encompasses everything from modernizing legacy UI into user-friendly web interfaces, moving towards cloud and hybrid deployment model, creating mobile access, to advanced features AI and ML.
IBM i modernization aims to optimize operational expenditure, facilitate better user experiences, support system agility, and ensure that IT infrastructure is line with the business goals.
Ultimately, the intention of modernization is to make the most out of legacy systems and bring them up to speed with the ongoing technological changes.
Why IBM i Modernization Matters for Your Application?
IBM i modernization provides a strategic foundation for growth, enabling companies to innovate, increase market share, and elevate overall employee and customer satisfaction. Here are some of the noteworthy benefits of modernizing IBM i system:
a) Improved User Experience
For organizations that want improved performance, increased productivity and future-ready technology, modernizing IBM i systems is a must.
A major plus point of modernization is better user experience. With a shift from legacy green screens to a new graphical user interface (GUI), enterprises transform interfaces into more intuitive, interactive, and navigable experiences.
This helps improve the overall user experience, decrease the time taken to train them, and thus increase productivity through real-time collaboration and multitasking.
b) Security and Compliance
Modernization also aids in maintaining security and compliance. Organizations utilizing legacy IBM i systems may lack crucial aspects of modern security, which can put them at risk and vulnerable to threats.
With the upgrades to legacy IBM i systems, businesses can enhance security measures like end-to-end encryption and user-based access controls which are very important for data integrity and industry compliance.
c) Agility, Flexibility and Competitive Edge
Modernizing provides agility and flexibility for adapting to changing market conditions and enables organizations to take advantage of new technologies such as cloud computing, APIs and automation tools.
Such flexibility can facilitate an agile approach and quicker implementations, something that is likely to be a key differentiator among players in a continually evolving technological landscape.
d) Cost Reduction, Efficiency and Future-Proofing
IBM i modernization also helps in reducing costs and bring about operational efficiencies. Modernized interfaces eliminate manual processes and automate repetitive tasks, which help in significantly reducing operational costs and enhance ROI.
In addition, modernizing legacy systems also safeguards organizations against future obsolescence and redundancy because modern systems will be compatible with evolving technologies, avoiding expensive migrations later.
How to Start IBM i Modernization?
IBM i modernization is a strategic, multifaceted effort — considering that such an undertaking can vary in scope and approach depending on the unique needs and goals of the organization. Broadly, there are three primary approaches to consider: Complete Modernization, Steady Modernization, and Agile Modernization.
Here’s a detailed look at each approach and how they can guide your organization’s journey toward an updated, agile, and efficient IBM i system.
1. Complete Modernization
Overview
Complete modernization is a holistic transformation approach that seeks to transform every layer of the IBM i environment, including the infrastructure, applications and processes.
It is the right approach for companies that want to accelerate and move entirely into contemporary architecture, and it is often necessary if an organization has legacy applications or systems incapable of keeping pace with business needs.
Benefits
- Streamlined IT Infrastructure: This approach to modernization allows an organization to assimilate new technology and replace legacy system, which in turn reduces technical debt and improves resilience in a system.
- Enhanced Functionality: With more up-to-date software, tools, and methodologies, organizations can greatly enhance application performance along with integrating advanced functionalities such as AI, machine learning, cloud integration functionality.
- Future-Proofing: Complete modernization helps companies future-proof their applications and prepare for long-term scalability, adaptability, and innovation.
Considerations
Complete modernization has huge benefits but carries significant investment and is also resource and time intensive. Taking up comprehensive modernization requires companies to consider whether they are even capable of a total overhaul if their goals are achievable, and check for the requisite skills and support systems.
Steps to Begin
- Conduct a thorough assessment of your current IBM i environment to identify critical needs.
- Define clear modernization goals and objectives, considering both current needs and future business directions.
- Engage stakeholders across IT and business teams to align expectations and ensure buy-in.
- Choose reliable technology partners and modernization tools that align with your modernization objectives.
2. Steady Modernization
Overview
Steady modernization, which is often called incremental modernization, focuses on a gradual transformation of the IBM i environment. Instead of revamping the entire system in one go, this approach updates applications and processes in phases allowing businesses to adopt newer technologies without massive disruptions. It also minimizes the risk due to sudden changes in technology and processes.
Benefits
- Reduced Risk: This type of modernization incrementally tests, refines, and implements updates, mitigating the risk of significant shifts in process and technology.
- Cost Management: This approach enables organizations to minimize costs by spreading modernization over a period, making the process financially manageable.
- Improved Adoption: Incremental changes allow employees to gradually adapt to new processes and shift into new systems, thus giving them time to adapt and reduce resistance to change.
Considerations
Continuous management and monitoring are necessary to ensure steady modernization adheres to the long-term progression plan. It can also prolong the pathway to modernization compared to complete transformations.
Steps to Begin
- Focus on the high-impact opportunities in your IBM i environment where the need for modernization is urgent. Some of these include aspects such as user interfaces or data integration touch-points.
- Develop a phased roadmap with clear milestones and timelines for each phase.
- Test and implement modernized components in real-time, gathering user feedback for continuous improvements.
- Periodically review & update your modernization plan to adapt to any changes in business needs or technology.
3. Agile Modernization
Overview
Agile modernization is an adaptable and iterative approach that blends aspects of both complete and steady modernization methods. Using agile principles, it transforms the IBM i environment in small increments or sprints with immediate feedback and constant delivery of enhancements.
Agile modernization is particularly useful for organizations that need to adapt swiftly to shifting circumstances or client needs.
Benefits
- Rapid Iteration: Agile modernization allows you to implement sprint cycles much faster so that the teams can continuously integrate improvements.
- Customer-Centric Focus: By gathering feedback iteratively, the updates that are made are more likely to meet user and business requirements.
- Flexibility: This approach provides the flexibility to pivot or adjust modernization goals in response to changing requirements or emerging technology.
Considerations
As versatile and consumer-centric as agile modernization is, it needs robust project management and efficient coordination between IT and business units.
Regular monitoring and reporting are required to achieve alignment between each sprint and the overall modernization strategy.
Steps to Begin
- Establish cross-functional agile teams with stakeholders from both IT and business functions to ensure collaboration.
- Establish a priority for modernization efforts and start with the areas that will yield the highest impact.
- Define sprint goals and schedule for incremental development and testing with the aim to provide value at much quicker pace.
- Conduct reviews after each sprint to refine processes and align future sprints with lessons learned.
Conclusion
IBM i modernization is complex and not something that can happen overnight. However, with a well-defined strategy whether it be complete, steady or agile modernization, enterprises can move to a modern IBM i environment seamlessly. The key is to customize the modernization strategy with business objectives, resource availability and organizational setup to enable long-term sustenance.