AI adoption is the talk of the town right now! While enterprises are still getting ready for AI adoption.
77% of executives said they need to adopt generative AI quickly to keep up with competitors, only 25% strongly agreed that their IT infrastructure can support AI at scale.
~ As per IBM Institute for Business Value Study.
If you’re running mission-critical workloads on IBM i, this raises a significant question – “Is your IBM i environment ready for AI?”
For over three decades, IBM i applications have accumulated business logic, system integrations, and workflows that still power critical business operations.
Getting them ready for AI calls for a structured approach to IBM i application modernization. An approach that outlines current application dependencies, preserves business logic, and determines where AI can add value.
Through AI Modernization Services, you can leverage AI for RPG code analysis, application documentation, development, and testing.
Yet, a successful IBM i modernization demands IBM i expertise to interpret the AI insights, decode application dependencies, and validate modernization priorities.
At Integrative Systems, we blend AI-assisted capabilities with seasoned IBM i development expertise.
We work as an extension of your team to spot modernization opportunities, design an appropriate solution, implement agreed changes, and support your environment as business needs evolve.
How do We Approach AI-Assisted Modernization for IBM i?
Our approach to AI-assisted IBM i modernization starts with understanding your IBM i environment and business requirements before identifying where AI-assisted capabilities can support modernization.
Our IBM i experts review your applications, RPG programs, business workflows, and development practices to understand how your environment operates.
This helps us distinguish between applications that need modernization, those that can continue working as they are, and areas where targeted improvements can deliver value.
We also assess application dependencies, documentation gaps, integration requirements, and the business processes supported by these applications.
This gives us a clearer picture of modernization priorities, potential challenges, and the scope of changes required.
Next, we evaluate where AI-assisted analysis, documentation, or development support can help address identified priorities.
To identify the right modernization approach, we evaluate –
- Business goals and application requirements
- Integration, testing, security, and support needs
- Existing RPG programs, data, and system dependencies
- Opportunities for AI-assisted analysis and development
- Compatible IBM i modernization tools and development methods
We consider application complexity, technical requirements, and business objectives to determine where AI is appropriate and where conventional development may be a better fit.
Our IBM i developers validate AI-generated insights, review existing business logic, and assess the impact of proposed changes.
We leverage these findings to prepare the recommended solution, implementation scope, and priorities.
Where AI-assisted modernization is appropriate, we identify how it fits into the development process. Where conventional development is more suitable, we recommend that instead.
This approach allows us to map modernization decisions to your business goals, instead of starting with a predetermined AI-led approach, and develop IBM i modernization solutions that fit your existing environment and offer a viable way forward.
Where can AI Add Value in Your Existing IBM i Applications?
AI can add value to existing IBM i applications by helping developers understand program logic, improve technical documentation, review code, and identify opportunities to streamline development workflows.
IBM i environments often contain RPG and CL programs developed over many years.
A few have limited documentation, complex dependencies, or institutional IBM i knowledge spread across a bunch of seasoned IBM i developers.
As part of the initial assessment, we evaluate –
- RPG and CL programs – Review existing code and identify logic that needs further investigation
- Application Documentation – Find gaps in technical specifications and workflows where documentation can be improved
- Application Dependencies – Dig down into how programs, data, and connected systems interact with one another
- Development Workflows – Spot repetitive workflows that can be transformed with AI-assisted development
- Modernization Priorities – Decide priority order for applications that need code enhancements, new features, or integration changes
We get a clear picture of your IBM i environment through this assessment. It helps us set the IBM i modernization priorities, based on your operational requirements and long-term value.
“AI can accelerate modernization, but understanding the business logic behind IBM i applications is what guides the right decisions.”
~ Stephanie Rabbani | Sr. Engagement Manager – IBM i, Integrative Systems.
Is Your IBM i Environment Ready for AI?
Explore the five pillars of AI readiness and understand what it takes to prepare your IBM i environment for practical AI adoption.
Read our whitepaper, AI-Ready IBM i.
What are the Practical Use Cases for AI-Assisted IBM i Modernization?
AI can support IBM i modernization through application analysis, RPG code improvement, documentation, development, testing, and integration planning.
The following use cases illustrate where AI-assisted capabilities contribute to IBM i application modernization.
| Use Case | How AI Can Support It | Modernization Value |
| RPG Code Analysis | Help developers examine existing programs and understand code logic | Better visibility into legacy applications |
| Application Documentation | Prepare initial technical explanations and organize application knowledge | Improved documentation and knowledge continuity |
| RPG Code Improvement | Assist with code suggestions, including fixed-format to free-format RPG improvements | Support for code readability and maintainability |
| Application Development | Assist with code suggestions and repetitive programming activities | More focused developer effort |
| Test Preparation | Help prepare test scenarios based on application requirements and program logic | More systematic application testing |
| Integration Planning | Help analyze technical documentation and identify integration requirements for further evaluation | Better-informed integration decisions |
These use cases can be considered individually or as part of a wider IBM i modernization initiative.
Their suitability depends on your applications, available documentation, development environment, and business priorities.
Our IBM i developers validate AI-assisted outputs before they make any application-level changes. This ensures technical decisions are made based on the actual environment rather than relying on AI generated recommendations alone.
How do We Approach IBM i Modernization from Discovery to Deployment?
We approach IBM i modernization through a structured seven-stage engagement that takes your environment from initial discovery and requirement definition to solution design, development, testing, knowledge transfer, and deployment.
Each phase depends on the output of the previous one, keeping technical decisions aligned with your business requirements and preparing your applications for the next step.
| Stage | What Integrative Systems Does | Expected Output |
| Discover | Understands business goals, existing IBM i applications, RPG programs, system dependencies, and operational requirements. | Environment assessment and initial findings |
| Define | Identifies modernization opportunities, AI use cases, requirements, and priorities. | Defined scope and prioritized opportunities |
| Design | Evaluates suitable AI capabilities, IBM i modernization tools, architecture, and implementation methods. | Recommended solution and implementation roadmap |
| Develop | Carries out agreed application development, RPG improvements, and integration activities. | Developed application changes and integration components |
| Test | Reviews code and validates functionality, business logic, data handling, security, and performance. | Test findings and validated changes |
| Communicate & Train | Shares implementation updates, explains application changes, and transfers relevant technical knowledge to your team. | Stakeholder updates and knowledge-transfer materials |
| Deploy | Releases approved changes, supports stabilization, and monitors application behavior. | Deployed solution and deployment findings |
AI-assisted capabilities support relevant activities throughout the engagement, while our IBM i developers oversee implementation and validate changes before deployment.
“Modernization is about moving your IBM i environment forward while keeping business continuity and long-term maintainability in focus.”
~ Stephanie Rabbani | Sr. Engagement Manager – IBM i, Integrative Systems.
Why Work with Integrative Systems for IBM i Modernization?
Integrative Systems walks in with over two decades of IBM i modernization experience and a structured delivery approach.
With over 25 years of industry experience and IBM Silver Business Partner status, Integrative Systems brings IBM i knowledge to your modernization plans.
We begin with your business goals and the applications that support them. Our team works alongside yours through assessment, solution planning, implementation, validation, and ongoing support.
Whether you need to understand existing RPG applications, improve code maintainability, explore AI-assisted software development, or plan wider IBM i application modernization, we help you identify a practical way forward.
Discuss your IBM i modernization priorities with us. Drop us a line at contact@integrativesystems.com to discuss your applications, requirements, and where AI-assisted development can support your modernization plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Modernization Services
1. How can AI Help Modernize Legacy IBM i Applications?
AI can assist with RPG code analysis, application documentation, code improvement, development activities, and test preparation. IBM i developers review the results and determine how they apply to existing applications and business requirements.
2. Can AI Understand and Document Existing RPG Programs?
AI-assisted tools can help explain RPG code and prepare technical documentation. Developers must validate the output against actual program logic, dependencies, and business processes.
3. What AI-Assisted Modernization Services are Available for IBM i Applications?
AI-assisted IBM i modernization services include RPG code analysis, application documentation, code improvement, software development, test preparation, and integration planning, supported by IBM i expertise.
4. What should Businesses Consider before Investing in AI-Powered Modernization?
Consider application complexity, code quality, documentation, system dependencies, data security, tool suitability, and access to IBM i expertise. Businesses should also establish how AI-assisted outputs will be reviewed and how application changes will be tested.
5. How do I Choose an AI-based Modernization Partner for IBM i Applications?
Choose an IBM i modernization partner with strong RPG expertise, a clear delivery process, and the ability to apply AI effectively while keeping developers involved in technical decisions and validation.
With over 20 years of experience in IBM i (AS/400) development, modernization, and integration, Stephanie brings a unique combination of technical expertise, leadership, and customer partnership to the team.
She has led multiple modernization projects across global customers – helping them transform legacy systems into agile, cloud-ready, and future-focused environments.
