AS400 (now IBM i Powering Power Systems) is a mid-range server popular among enterprises for high reliability, security, and processing capabilities. IBM introduced it in 1988.
It’s a complete integrated system unlike traditional servers. It unites relational database, and operating system (OS400) together and offers an integrated platform to enterprises for running their mission-critical applications.
Today, we are going to explore –
- Why is AS400 still relevant in 2026?
- What is IBM i platform?
- How do AS400 & IBM i compare & coexist?
- Key questions for you to answer before proceeding with AS400 support
Let’s get started.
What is AS400 Software?
AS400 software, now referred to as IBM i (running on the IBM Power Systems) is a trusted and secure operating system for IBM’s mid-range server introduced in 1988.
It is highly popular for running mission-critical applications such as enterprise ERP among manufacturing and finance.
What are the main aspects of AS400 software?
- Widely popular as AS/400, which is the term used to describe the hardware. Now, widely known as IBM i
- Known for stability, security, and high uptime
- Architecture includes an integrated DB2 database
- Supports varying processing loads for enterprise-grade applications like ERPs, and Supply Chain Management Systems
- Supports RPG, COBOL, and modern languages like C, C++, Java, and SQL
What are AS400 Software Applications?
In a different sense, the term ‘AS400 software’ might also be referred to describe software applications built to run on the AS400 (now IBM i).
AS400 software are usually home-grown software built using RPG, COBOL, CL, Java, or other compatible programming languages and are run on AS400 servers. They are also referred to as AS400 applications.
When we talk about AS400 Software or applications, they are used in a wide range of business functions like –
- AS400 ERP Software includes various systems like BPCS and offer modules for finance, HR, manufacturing, and supply chain management
- CRMs on AS400 manages customer data, interactions, and sales pipelines
- AS400 inventory software for supply chain management can handle inventory, procurement, warehouses, and demand planning
- AS400 Software for trucking and transportation can overlook freight/fleet/shipping management
- BI tools on AS400 software collect, analyze, and present data for informed decision-making
- AS400 Accounting Software supports financial reporting, budgeting, invoicing, and payroll
- Numerous healthcare institutions use AS/400 software for patient management, billing, and medical record-keeping
- AS400 manufacturing and planning applications can oversee production scheduling, quality control, and shop floor management
- Retail businesses running on AS/400 software can manages sales, inventory, and customer transactions
Is AS400 Software still relevant in 2026?
Then AS/400 software and now IBM i is still popular in 2026. Many enterprises still continue to run their core business applications on IBM i, given its impeccable capability to handle high volume of transactions, and stringent security controls.
A bit of change has been seen in the way it is used today, but not the foundation.
With IBM i modernization, businesses have opted to revamp the interfaces, the integration capabilities, and adopted automation for monotonous workflows. But the foundation remains the same – reliable and secure as always.
Why AS400 Still Matters Today
- Offers high uptime with no disruption to critical operations
- Applications built on IBM i still run uninterrupted and without any hard rewrites
- Integrated security built-into the system makes access controls & data protection practical
- Processes heavy-duty transactions for industries such as manufacturing, finance, and logistics with ease
How has IBM i Evolved?
AS400 is no longer limited to older development styles. Modern IBM i environments now support –
- API-driven integrations for web and cloud applications
- Improved reporting and analytics capabilities
- Java-based applications and services
This allows you to extend existing AS400 accounting software and ERP systems without replacing them entirely.
Where is it Still Used?
You will still find IBM AS400 systems running critical workloads in –
- Banking & Finance
- Manufacturing and Supply Chain
- Retail and Warehouse Management
- Healthcare Systems and Billing platforms
How are Businesses Keeping Up with AS400 Software in 2026?
Most organizations are not replacing AS400 outright. Instead, they are improving it step by step –
- Updating user interfaces beyond green screens
- Connecting systems through APIs
- Moving workloads to cloud-based IBM Power environments
- Adding reporting and analytics layers
What are the Main Challenges with AS400 Software?
- Finding skilled RPG developers can be difficult
- Some systems lack documentation due to years of changes
- There is often confusion about whether to replace or modernize
What is the IBM i Platform?
The IBM i platform is an integrated operating environment designed for running business-critical applications.
AS/400 Systems to IBM i – it’s an evolution, retaining compatibility while building on the core foundation of OS400.
IBM i platform is evolving everyday while balancing the modern technologies and capabilities with the same legacy of stability and reliability.
It was designed to support a wide range of AS400 applications and databases.
IBM i boasts of an in-built database management system called ‘DB2 for IBM i’
It also includes middleware components that can seamlessly facilitate various integrations and application development.
It is a highly secure platform that has robust backup and recovery mechanisms.
IBM i platform is capable of being backwards compatible with legacy applications developed in RPG and COBOL, while supporting modern development languages and newer architectures.
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Why can’t we Compare IBM i vs AS400?
In simple terms – IBM i can’t be compared to AS400 because the two are totally different from each other.
IBM i is the modern-day name referred to denote the software (Operating System). Whereas AS/400 refers to the legacy hardware system from the early 1980s.
They belong to two different technological generations that AS400 has seen.
AS400 is the name used to describe mid-range servers. It’s a hardware component which has evolved into the IBM Power System today.
IBM i is the software (operating system) which is the evolved form of OS400.
IBM i powers IBM Power Systems today for running mission-critical applications.
Long story short, comparing AS400 Software with IBM i is like comparing apples with oranges.
To understand more, you need to know a little bit about the history of the AS400 software. This will clear the confusion.
Significantly, people who have worked with IBM technology in the past are comfortable to speak about the applications written for AS400 as AS400 software.
And the people who have joined this technology field later talk about the application written for IBM i, particularly when discussing the application should run on a public cloud or hybrid cloud.
In summary, IBM i now has more life than the AS400 did…
Are IBM i and AS400 Software the Same?
Referring to IBM i as the operating system, AS400 software and IBM i are the same. Many veterans still use these terminologies interchangeably.
But, if you are referring to software applications that you run on your AS400 system/IBM i, then it’s a little imprecise.
| Context | Old Terminology | Modern Terminology |
| Hardware | AS400, iSeries | IBM Power Systems |
| Software (Operating System) | OS400 | IBM i |
| Applications | AS400 Apps | IBM i Applications |
Depending on the industry you are in, you must be having custom home-grown AS400 software applications developed for your custom needs.
And you are still relying on it…
…and why not? If it serves your needs to the T.
Which of the following do you have?
AS400 ERP software/system
AS400 financial software
AS400 RPG accounting software
AS400 transportation software
AS400 logistics software
AS400 inventory management software
AS400 trucking software
You may have AS400 Software for many other processes/tasks/functions in your organization.
We agree that whatever you prefer to call it – your AS/400 Software serves you well.
At Integrative Systems, we have had meetings with various industry leaders for upgrading their IBM AS400. Many times, these leaders think AS400 is not efficient & robust enough.
Factually, those industry leaders were running the older machines but didn’t realize what they could achieve by running on newer upgrades – it would require some modernization, and they would be good to go.
The IBM AS400/iSeries framework is an open working framework, and it integrates incredibly well with the other systems. That is what the “i” in IBM AS400/iSeries represents – integration.
From open-source authorized programs to progressing toward the cutting-edge RPM model of software management, IBM AS400/iSeries has adopted the actual value of the open-source.
IBM AS400/iSeries is More Secure
The security levels of IBM AS400/iSeries have grown consistently, from dropping old protocols to adding new codes into the access control. The new architecture is designed to keep high-security needs in mind.
The security features have been trending upward, and so is the users’ confidence. From the latest figures, the number of organizations feeling confident in IBM AS400/iSeries security is 63 percent.
This is because of the increased focus on security in the last few years.
Though application modernization has been a focal point of IBM AS400/iSeries for the last 15 years, security enhancement has not been forgotten.
It’s just about lack of awareness, but now the fraternity is understanding how secure the IBM i Series is.
IBM AS400/iSeries is More Modern
We have heard jokes that the IBM AS 400 system died before the first camera phone was released. Or before the USB or Bluetooth was invented?
Not Really!
The AS 400 system is still relevant & in a new avatar. The IBM AS400/iSeries server is now known as ‘Power Systems’
And the modern IBM AS 400/ i-Series applications are open to upgrades. From the user interface to data base and source code, everything can be modernized.
The new AS400/i Series can be plugged & played into an AI system to do the image recognition and even work on smartphones.
The age of “green screen is the best for data entry” is long gone.
Now, the latest AS400 system can write and read data to and from a database automatically, and no data entry person is needed in this process.
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Consider these Questions around your AS400 Software
You heavily rely on your current AS400 applications for your mission-critical workflows.
As a technology leader of your organization, you have invested your time, money, energy, and resources to bring it up to speed.
We understand it’s a legacy system and might sometimes give you issues with regards to its efficiency and performance.
When you face these issues, the questions you need to go over are given below.
Your Problem – “My Current AS400 Technical Resource is Retiring!”
- What was this AS400 software developer responsible for?
- What is my plan to cover those responsibilities after this resource retires?
- Do I have a person on staff prepared to take on these responsibilities?
- What is going to happen if I cannot get a resource in place?
- What AS400 systems or functions will be affected?
- What happens if the replacement gets delayed?
- Can I replace the resource with another in-house resource? Or, do I need to look for an external AS400 services provider?
- How much time do I have to get AS400 expert replacement?
Your Upcoming Project – “We are Looking at AS400 Modernization/Upgrade”.
- What does AS400 modernization or upgrade look like?
- What are the system elements I must plan to upgrade?
- Is this the right time to get the upgrades done?
- Is this the top business priority for me now? Or can I wait?
- What happens if this upgrade is delayed?
- Can my in-house team of AS400 experts pull this off?
- What is the ideal timeline to get these upgrades completed?
Your Ambitious Project – “We are Looking for AS400 Migration”.
- Do I have a brief overview of the migration plan?
- What are the AS400 system elements that I will be migrating?
- Why have I decided to do this AS400 migration now?
- Can the in-house team of AS400 experts pull this off?
- What should be the ideal timeline for migration?
Your Immediate Project – “We are Looking at Securing our AS400 Systems.”
- What AS400 applications am I looking to secure?
- What elements need to be secured first?
- Why does this security upgrade matter, right now?
- How badly did the last security breach impact? Was critical data exposed? Were credentials and passwords exposed?
- Has my team completed a complete security audit? Have all gaps been identified?
- How badly would it impact the security posture of my AS400 system if I delay this security upgrade?
- Is my internal team capable of getting this done, or should I consider the option to go with an AS400 services provider?
- How much time will this take?
Your Long-term Project – “We are looking for maintenance of our AS400 Software System”.
- What systems do I want to be maintained?
- What system elements need to be maintained?
- Why am I seeking support for AS400 maintenance now?
- Have there been any issues related to maintenance?
- What was the impact of those issues? Did it affect business operations?
- Is this the top priority right now?
- Can the in-house team take up the maintenance?
- What is my timeline for support on AS400 system maintenance?
Your Visionary Project – “We are Looking for AS400 Support”.
- Which AS400 systems need support?
- Why am I seeking additional AS400 support resources now?
- Have there been any issues related to support?
- What was the impact of those issues? Did it affect business operations?
- Can I continue with the existing support resources?
- What is my timeline to get additional support resources in place?
Your Next Project – “We are Looking for Automation on our AS400 Software”.
- What type of automation do I need to implement?
- What are the AS/400 system elements that I want to automate?
- Why do I need automation now?
- What makes this a top priority for me? Or can this wait for a year?
- What would be the impact of delaying this automation?
- Can this be done in-house or external expertise is required?
- What is the anticipated timeline for the automation project?
After you give a deep thought and decide that you have the need to look outside for an AS400 services provider or a technology partner – simply ask this one final question.
“What were you hoping for service provider to do to support you on your projects?”
As you answer the question above….
Let us introduce ourselves – We are Integrative Systems – One of the Best AS400 Software Service Providers who prioritizes your success, extends the capabilities of your in-house team, and helps you achieve the AS400 vision for your organization.
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How we help Technical Leaders Succeed with their AS400 Software and Systems?
We work with CIOs / CTOs / Technology Leaders –
- Who are struggling to improve their customer and user experience as their AS/400 software and systems are not upgraded.
- Who identify and want to seize critical business gaps due to the lack of integration between multiple AS400 software that act in silos.
- Who are suffering from data redundancy due to a lack of AS400 automation.
- Worried due to errors in data owing to too much reliance on manual work.
- Who cannot report their AS400 data on a unified and modern-looking dashboard.
- Who are managing an in-house IT team but must be responsible for unbilled AS400 resources.
- Who are frustrated with project ROI’s being less than 5% due to frequent project creeps or delays.
- Who are worried about the higher total cost of ownership due to the cost of maintenance of AS400 legacy systems.
- Who are worried about the costs and risks associated with hiring wrong or bad AS400 hires.
- Worried about landing the wrong AS400 technology partner due to inadequate due diligence and hasty decision making.
- Who were burnt in the past when working with a technology partner.
- Who are facing difficulties in optimizing their business processes and workflows due to inadequate AS400 documentation.
- Who are facing a shortage of niche IT AS400 talent in the market and have not been able to recruit the right talent.
- Who are losing their sleep over high availability and disaster recovery of their AS400 systems as they don’t have a right talent for it.
- Who are anxious about the cost-benefit equation of their AS400 projects as they have been hit with hidden charges by other AS400 service providers without delivering real value.
Did you ponder the points given above?
At Integrative Systems, we often ask one fundamental question to our customers.
“What do you want to achieve with your AS400 Software, and by when?”
“WHAT” and “WHEN” is what we take note of, and “HOW” is entirely handled by us.
Integrative Systems is IBM’s Silver business partner and has more than 20 years of experience in providing AS400 software services and solutions.
Looking for an AS400 services provider who can align with your technological goals to help you futureproof your AS400 investments? Drop us a line at contact@integrativesystems.com and our experts will reach out to you within 2 business days.
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Frequently Asked Questions about AS400 Software
Why Should You Invest AS400 Software Support Services?
Reliable AS400 software support services providers help you fix any underlying issues within your AS/400 environment, manage upgrades, optimize performance of your AS400 apps, and fill in for skill gaps within your in-house team.
How does AS400 Software fit into Modern Enterprise Context?
AS/400 software still powers core business operations for businesses. Manufacturing, finance, and logistics businesses still trust AS400 software. With modernization, they are able to integrate it with cloud apps, BI systems, and CRMs.
Can Businesses Modernize AS400 software without Replacing it?
Absolutely! You can modernize our AS400 applications without replacing the core business logic and processes intact. Through phased modernization, you can start with the low hanging fruits such as user interface, workflow automation, and third-party integrations. Steady and slow, you can move toward hybrid or cloud migration if your business demands.
Starting as an RPG programmer and evolving into a customer success leader, Mike has spent 30+ years shaping the IBM i landscape. His experience in IT, presales, and sales enables him to bridge business needs with technical depth. By simplifying even the toughest IBM i modernization challenges, Mike has become a trusted guide for enterprises nationwide.
He shapes smart account strategies and lasting customer relationships that lead to meaningful, sustained outcomes. At Integrative Systems, Mike guides customers through IBM i modernization with clarity and confidence. His steady, relationship-first approach unites teams, elevates customer experience, and drives long-term growth.
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5 Comments to “What is AS400 Software? Why is it Still Used?”
Anthony
Great article! I always thought AS400 and IBM i were interchangeable terms, but this post really clarified the differences for me. I appreciate the breakdown of their functionalities and history. Looking forward to more insightful content!
Jack Lee
Great explanation! It’s interesting to see how the terminology has evolved over the years. I never realized how many people still refer to AS400 while IBM i is the current platform. This post clarified a lot for me—thanks for breaking it down!
Evan Brenner
Great post! I’ve always wondered about the differences between AS400 and IBM i, and this article really clarified things for me. It’s interesting to see how the terminology and perception have evolved over time. Thanks for breaking it down!
Sophia Jackson
Great article! I always thought AS400 and IBM i were interchangeable terms, but this post clarified the differences for me. It’s interesting to see how both systems have evolved over time. Thanks for the insight!
Lucas Lee
Great post! I found the explanation about the differences between AS400 and IBM i really insightful. It’s fascinating how the terminology and technology have evolved over the years. Thank you for clarifying this for readers who may be confused!