In a market that demands agility, security, and intelligent decision-making, clinging to legacy systems without a modernization roadmap can cost more than just technical debt — it can cost competitive edge.
IBM Power Systems modernization is no longer a conversation for the future. It’s an active strategy to transform legacy IBM i/AS400 environments into flexible, cloud-ready, and insight-driven ecosystems.
When business continuity, customer experience, and innovation velocity are at stake, waiting is the costliest decision.
At Integrative Systems, we work with forward-thinking enterprises to unlock the value hidden inside their IBM i investments by designing modernization strategies tailored to business outcomes — not just IT upgrades.
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Why do IBM Power Systems Users Resist Modernization?
IBM i users who underwent a hardware upgrade and are running on Power Systems have done all the good.
They followed the narrative of “Change is the only constant.”
But the question is, “Is it enough to upgrade the hardware and leave the software where it is?”
The answer is – “NO!”
See, the problem with legacy apps is that they last longer than their original strength, but they stay in production longer.
To meet the needs of the evolving business, applications are being modified so drastically that they are entirely different from their original design, making it difficult for IT organizations to understand and make further changes.
Many technology leaders are still holding back due to outdated applications.
They often weigh the cost and risk of application upgrade and hastily conclude that “If they’re not broken, don’t fix them.”
This increases the technical debt, which must be repaid sooner or later.
Unfortunately, many IBM iSeries AS400 upgrade projects do not start until the outdated application fails or seriously impacts the business.
The IBM iSeries AS400 turned 30 this year, which has been a massive celebration at industry events worldwide.
IBM iSeries Server has a roadmap of more than ten years, so the technology leaders who have chosen this system to run their business should pat themselves on the back – they have selected a definite winner.
But not everyone sees three decades of successful computing as something to celebrate. Instead of looking at the full potential of today’s platforms – and IBM tells us that the platform is moving into the future – this is what Integrative Systems sees in today’s modern IBM iSeries AS/400 servers through the old lens.
Although servers and operating systems have advanced features – and support the latest development tools like Git, Node.js, and Python – that doesn’t mean most IBM iSeries stores take advantage of them.
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De-Risking Transformation with Proven IBM i Application Modernization
One of the biggest fears business leaders express is the risk of downtime or loss of control during modernization.
That’s why our approach is built on three principles –
Preserve Stability
Retain core logic and data while enhancing UI/UX, integration capabilities, and performance.
Prioritize Business Alignment
Every modernization milestone is designed to serve business functions — not just technical milestones.
Ensure Continuity
Our team of IBM i experts works hand-in-hand with your SMEs to ensure zero disruption across operations.
Modernization is not just about new tech — it’s about new possibilities. And that requires a partner that brings both technical depth and strategic clarity.
Aligning IBM i Modernization with Strategic Growth
When we speak about IBM i modernization, we go beyond technical upgrades.
We’re talking about aligning IT transformation with core business objectives –
- Boosting operational agility
- Reducing cost of ownership
- Enhancing digital customer experiences
- Futureproofing mission-critical applications
We begin by analyzing how your current workloads — including ERP, custom modules, and databases — interact with business processes.
Then, we shape a modernization strategy for legacy systems that delivers short-term impact and long-term resilience.
What Modernization Really Looks Like for IBM i/AS400 Users
Many organizations assume that modernization of legacy systems means a full rip-and-replace initiative.
That’s not only expensive but often unnecessary.
Our phased modernization approach enables you to modernize IBM i applications without disrupting business operations.
We focus on high-impact areas first, such as –
Green Screen to GUI Modernization
A better user experience boosts productivity and minimizes training time for new users.
AS400 ERP Modernization
Enabling integration with cloud-based CRM, SCM, and analytics platforms to unlock real-time business visibility.
IBM i Cloud Migration
Shifting workloads to secure cloud infrastructure for scalability, redundancy, and cost-efficiency.
Modular AS400 Migration
Modernizing specific modules like finance, inventory, or customer service before moving on to the full stack.
This approach helps you maintain what works, fix what’s holding you back, and continuously evolve your core systems.
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AS400 Modernization is Not a Cost Center. It’s a Growth Lever
Legacy systems often carry the misconception of being cheaper because they’re already paid for. But when you calculate inefficiencies, maintenance costs, integration limitations, and the talent gap, the equation flips.
Here’s how our clients are leveraging AS400 modernization to improve bottom-line results –
- Faster time-to-market for new business models and services through modern APIs.
- Improved decision-making via real-time dashboards and modern BI tools integrated into IBM i apps.
- Reduced security risks through updated protocols, access controls, and integration with modern SIEM systems.
- Enhanced workforce retention by giving teams tools they enjoy using — no more green screens or outdated workflows.
In short, modernization is not a technical problem. It’s a business enabler.
Your Competitors are Modernizing. Are You?
The market is no longer debating the difference between keeping AS400 vs. modernization — it’s investing in it.
From manufacturing and retail to finance and logistics, CIOs and CTOs are accelerating their modernization timelines to –
- Enable IBM i application integration with mobile, web, and cloud platforms.
- Build agility into their AS400 migration
- Migrate from on-prem to hybrid or full IBM i cloud migration
- Transform dated green screen applications into modern web GUIs with embedded analytics.
Being proactive doesn’t mean overhauling everything at once. It means taking the first intelligent step toward future-ready architecture.
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Why Partner with Integrative Systems for IBM i Modernization?
With over two decades of experience in IBM technologies, our team understands the DNA of AS400 systems — and more importantly, how to evolve them.
When you choose Integrative Systems, you’re partnering with a modernization specialist who offers –
- End-to-end strategy consulting for modernization of legacy IBM i applications.
- Custom modernization roadmaps tailored to your industry and business priorities.
- Seamless cloud migration capabilities with minimal disruption and full compliance.
- A dedicated team of IBM i experts, architects, and project managers — not generalists.
We don’t just modernize systems. We modernize outcomes.
IBM i Application Modernization Approach – The Integrative Systems Way
In this section, have a look at a different stage of modernization.
Stage 1 – Preparation
In the preparation phase, our team works closely with you to understand & decide what needs to be retained, and what can go. Together, we outline the action plan and responsibilities.
Stage 2 – Experiment
We reiterate around your applications to figure out what works best for you. You get to understand the technologies available in the market and decide if they are suitable for you.
Stage 3 – Getting up and Running
This is where the heavy lifting happens. The team works on modernizing your IBM i applications as per the plan of action outlined, and the modern technologies you’re comfortable with.
Stage 4 – Evaluation, Expansion and Forward Thinking
This phase involves analyzing the work done so far, including all previous iterations. This phase is dedicated to analyzing how to enhance the application’s existing functionality.
Stage 5 – Deployment
This is the final phase where our team of IBM i/AS400 developers deploy the applications on production.
Modernize – Start Small, Scale Fast
Still thinking where to start?
Start slow.
Start with an impact in mind.
Start with the low-hanging fruits, first.
You need clarity, a well-thought-out modernization roadmap, and an AS400 modernization partner who backs you up.
We are a 20+ years old company based out of Chicago, USA, and have experience in application modernization, AS400 upgrade, and other services that can help your organization to grow.
Drop us a line at [email protected] and our IBM i experts will take it from there.
At Integrative Systems, we’re ready when you are.
