Realize the true capabilities of your legacy system
Any long-standing business that runs on IBM® i will eventually run into the dilemma of whether to modernize on or move off their current platform.
If you’re stuck at such a crossroads, you must first understand the latest capabilities of your IBM i platform before making a decision that could make or break your modernization efforts.
Here are seven facts to keep in mind when planning your digital strategy and roadmap.
1. IBM i supports the latest technologies, tools, and processes.
Contrary to popular belief, the IBM i platform offers comprehensive support for open-source languages and tools, so developers can implement modern processes like agile development and DevOps when working on IBM i.
In fact, you can even stretch your platform investment and attain competitive advantage by leveraging new technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
2. IBM i provides exceptional security, reliability, and robustness.
Besides its ability to run mission-critical workloads, IBM i has an integrated security model that is deeply built into the operating system, making it almost impossible to hack.
This means you can easily give end-users secure remote host access to core applications and data by enabling IBM i applications with web services—and all this without compromising data and system integrity.
3. IBM i offers among the lowest TCO in its class.
Since IBM i has always been easy to manage and maintain, it requires little to no attention from IT administrators, reducing management overhead and providing significant savings in terms of total cost of ownership (TCO).
Given its backwards compatibility with older business systems, your company can also rely on IBM i to run critical, decades-old programs at impressive speeds while saving the costs that come with major application migration projects.
4. IBM i can deliver modern user experiences.
As demands for seamless user experiences increase, organizations running on IBM i must move beyond their traditional green-screen interfaces or risk losing customers and talent.
Fortunately, with IBM’s thriving ecosystem of solution providers, you can quickly implement the latest user interface (UI) designs and streamline key business processes for ease of use and better work efficiencies without having to change your infrastructure.
5. IBM i helps deliver new functionality faster.
Today, developers are under increasing pressure to improve speed-to-market. IBM i's compatibility with modern development tools and methods makes this possible.
With the option of harnessing the power of automation to track the entire development process, your IT team can accurately identify errors and make changes quickly to assure quality while speeding up delivery time.
6. Using IBM i can lower ongoing operational costs.
Given IBM i's openness to third-party technologies, you may discover further opportunities for cost savings through innovation. By simplifying existing workflows, you can cut down training time and the effort needed for day-to-day activities, which leads to operational savings and increased productivity.
7. IBM i reduces the risk of digital transformation projects.
While replatforming has its perks, the process of moving core applications to a new platform poses huge costs to a business while risking quality, disruption, and downtime.
With IBM i, such risks and costs are virtually non-existent. Since IBM i integrates well with new technology, it offers an ideal foundation for digital transformation without the need for “rip and replace” efforts.
Thus, you can modernize your IBM i while ensuring system availability and stay competitive without losing decades of your IT investments.