POWERUp 2025: What’s Next for IBM i

POWERUp 2025: What’s Next for IBM i

IBM i continues to be present across critical industries. Already embedded in banking systems, powering manufacturing lines, and supporting operations across healthcare, it continues to prove its value. And there’s still room to grow.  

2025 made one imperative clear: modernizing this system is essential to preserving its unmatched value. Rather than winding down, IBM i is being refined and elevated. Developers, engineers, architects, and IT leaders are collaborating to ensure the platform not only meets today’s requirements but also anticipates tomorrow’s challenges.

Rocket Software brought three powerful voices to this event. Each offered a glimpse into how the IBM i community is evolving and leading.

RPG Developers Are Architects of the Future

When Puneet Kohli, Rocket Software’s President of Application Modernization, opened POWERUp 2025, he didn’t just talk tech. He told a story about RPG developers who, for years, have quietly kept critical systems running. Now, these developers are building the next generation of enterprise software, integrating DevOps workflows and AI, and adopting modern toolchains. RPG is evolving so that companies can modernize without rewriting the core systems.

Don’t rebuild from scratch:

• Developers are under pressure: 67% cite deployment stress, and internal silos stifle innovation.
• The shift is on: AI tools, automation, and low-code platforms are expanding possibilities.
• It starts with a mindset: Modernization isn’t just about tools; it’s about teams and culture.

Breaking Up the Monolith, One Capability at a Time 

Jeroen van Dun and Herman Rensink presented a practical blueprint for modernizing IBM i: the Strangler Pattern. Their analogy? Modernization is like a strangler fig wrapping around a host tree, eventually replacing it, not through force but through time.

Their session struck a chord with anyone wrestling with monolithic applications. By isolating one business capability at a time and reimagining it as a service, teams can evolve existing systems safely and strategically. This method respects what’s working while opening the door to modern flexibility.

Transformation isn’t disruptive if it’s deliberate:

• Over 70% of IBM i users want modernization, not migration.
• IT leaders are prioritizing it now, not later.
• Deployment remains a risk area that can be mitigated with automation and structure. 

DevOps for IBM i Allow For Modern Workflows Without Trade-Offs

Bill Shubin’s talk reminded the audience that IBM i modernization isn’t about compromise but optimization. His session on DevOps clarified a common misconception: that embracing speed means giving up the platform’s hallmark reliability.

With the proper setup, Git integration, hybrid workflows, and secure deployments, IBM i teams can move with efficiency while maintaining uptime and minimizing risk.

Survey stats backed it up:

• Cybersecurity is a top concern for 77% of organizations.
• 60% are already actively modernizing their environments.
• High availability is a growing focus area.

What Made POWERUp 2025

POWERUp 2025 was filled with best practices and in-depth technical dives. But the real story? The community.

This was a gathering of people who understand that IBM i isn’t a system of the past. It’s a system powering the present and its future depends not on replacement but on thoughtful modernization. APIs, DevOps, low-code tools, and team empowerment are the methods. But the mission is clear: scale what works.

Moving Forward

• IBM i remains mission-critical, not just in tech, but across industries.
• Modernization isn’t optional. It’s how organizations future-proof their operations.
• There’s no need to rip and replace. Strategic transformation builds on what’s already strong.

Rocket Software is proud to support this journey with tools, expertise, and a deep commitment to the IBM i community.