If you are a technology leader still relying on legacy IBM i application, you might feel stuck as if you are standing at a crossroads.
You know that it works well, is reliable and your business has been dependent on it for years. But let’s face the fact that your system is old, difficult to update and doesn’t work smoothly with newer applications.
Sounds relatable?
Here is the good news!
You don’t have to rip off and replace the entire system at once.
Instead, you can modernize it.
This way, your system becomes faster, easy to use, and future ready.
IBM i modernization breathes new life into your existing system.
Modernization is just not about updating your technology.
It is about making your system smarter, more reliable, so it –
- Improves user experience
- Reduces the overall operational costs
- Helps you stay ahead of your competition
Now, let’s talk about some important IBM i modernizationstrategies which will help you future proof your IBM i environment and pull real business value.
But before that, let us know why modernization is no longer just a luxury but a necessity.
Why Should IBM i Modernization be on Your Agenda?
Here’s a stat on IBM i users prioritizing application modernization.
57% IBM i users prioritize application modernization this time around ~ As per 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey.
Don’t do it because your fellow IBM i users are doing it.
Don’t do it because it’s the easiest to keep your IBM i relevant.
Don’t do it because with a plain hope that it will change something.
Do it because you can’t afford to slow down.
Do it because you can’t let data silos ruin your reports.
Do it because you can’t let poor user experience dismantle productivity.
When done in right, at the right time, with the right approach, IBM i Modernization can help –
- Reduce technical debt
- Improve performance and security
- Future-proof your IBM i infrastructure
- Improve integration with third-party apps & modern solutions
- Attract new-age talent that prefer working in modern development environments
Now, let’s look at various strategies to futureproof your IBM i ecosystem.
IBM i Modernization Strategies to Futureproof Your IBM i
Modernization doesn’t have to be “Rip & Replace”, always.
Moving away from IBM i.
Loosening up on years of investments.
Disregarding matured business processes.
Is this what comes to your mind when you hear IBM i modernization?
Well, it doesn’t have to be like that.
Modernization is all about making your IBM i applications more relevant, compatible, and accessible in the modern-day business environment.
Let’s look at some of the proven IBM i modernization strategies that work.
Embracing Modular Architecture with IBM i/AS400 Modernization Services
Legacy IBM i applications were built as one single program where everything was interconnected, making it harder to upgrade individual functionalities.
That’s where IBM i Modernization Services come into the play.
IBM i modernization expertsare focused on adding modular structure to IBM i applications. They break complex functionalities into smaller, individual modules.
And this helps to adapt & upgrade functionalities that are slowing workflows down.
The best part? If you want to upgrade a module, you can do it easily in real-time and without disturbing the whole process.
This approach promises gives you –
- Faster upgrades
- No to low downtime
- Ease of handling to upgrade/change functionalities
Transformation without disruption – that’s IBM i modernization for you.
Green Screen Modernization – Give Your Interface a New Look
Legacy IBM i applications were built as one single program where everything was interconnected, making it harder to upgrade individual functionalities.
That’s where IBM i Modernization Services come into the play.
IBM i modernization expertsare focused on adding modular structure to IBM i applications. They break complex functionalities into smaller, individual modules.
And this helps to adapt & upgrade functionalities that are slowing workflows down.
The best part? If you want to upgrade a module, you can do it easily in real-time and without disturbing the whole process.
This approach promises gives you –
- Faster upgrades
- No to low downtime
- Ease of handling to upgrade/change functionalities
Transformation without disruption – that’s IBM i modernization for you.
Green Screen Modernization – Give Your Interface a New Look
To be honest – green screens and command lines are boring and difficult to use.
Through AS400 GUI modernization, you can revamp the look and feel of your applications.
For example, think web-based dashboards, simple menus, and mobile access.
A modern UI isn’t just nice to have – it saves your time, reduces human errors, and makes onboarding new talent much easier.
Better design leads to better productivity, isn’t it?
With AS400 GUI modernization, you can –
- Replace traditional green screens with modern user interface
- Enable real-time dashboards and analytics
- Make data more accessible across your enterprise
As we discussed earlier, you don’t need to “rip off and replace” existing system. Instead, upgrade it to modern UI layers that elevate usability without losing the core functionality.
Modernization should be intentional and not forceful. It’s more about retaining your technology and building over it – not replacing it, right from the core. You have spent years, or decades shaping your IBM i processes, discarding them isn’t an option – rather try futureproofing.
Thiking, “What futureproofing your IBM i looks like?” – Read here for more insights! IBM i Modernization – The Integrative Systems Approach
Collaborate with AS400 Experts for Long-Term Success
Even the best strategies can fail if you don’t have the right people to execute.
Partnering with AS400 modernization experts helps you get insights, all-round support and a proven process ensuring your modernization journey reaches success.
They bring in-depth expertise, great understanding of legacy systems and have a strong know-how of modern tools. Thus, ensuring a smooth, customized and modernization roadmap for your transformation journey.
They help you to –
- Identify the quick wins for early ROI
- Reduce the risks during transition process
- Build a future-ready strategy for your enterprise
Think of them as your co-pilots in a complex but rewarding journey called strategic IBM i modernization.
IBM i Integration – Find New Possibilities with APIs & Connectors
To truly future-proof your IBM i, you need your system to effectively communicate with the rest of your tech tools like CRMs, ERPs, or cloud-based analytics. IBM i integration makes it all possible using APIs and connectors.
Integrating modern API tools with your IBM i applications ensures –
- Smoother communication
- Real-time insights
- Faster data flow
It helps you bridge the gap between your legacy applications and growing demands of modern businesses.
IBM i Cloud Migration – Move to the Cloud At Your Pace
Moving to the Cloud isn’t a trend, it is the new standard.
17% IBM i users plan to mover their IBM i workloads to the cloud ~ As per 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey by Fortra.
Again, IBM i cloud migration doesn’t have to be disruptive. It’s an incremental, phased approach where you shift your IBM i workloads to the Cloud.
You can move only high intensity workloads to the cloud and retain rest on-premises. Or you can shift complete workloads to the cloud environment, depending on your scalability needs.
All this while your routine operations function at regular pace – and that’s what we call IBM i(AS400) application modernization without disruption.
Moving your IBM i workloads to the cloud fully or partly –
- Reduces overall operational & infrastructural costs
- Improves resource utilization
- Enhances security stature
- Increases agility
Modernize Your Codebase
Again – this doesn’t mean moving away from IBM i.
Modernizing your codebase is one of the key IBM i modernization strategieswhere IBM i experts transform your legacy RPG code into modern RPG form.
60% of IBM i users cited IBM i skill gap as a major concern ~ As per 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey by Fortra.
Retiring IBM i talent is growing as a bigger concern. And the new age talent is struggling to decode legacy RPG codes, with ease, creating a bottleneck.
Having translated your legacy RPG code to modern RPG form, your worries to find the right set of RPG developers would be alleviated to an extent.
Also, modern RPG code is easier to maintain, integrate, and scale.
Now is the Time to Future-Proof Your IBM i
You don’t have to do it alone.
We, at Integrative Systems, specialize in helping businesses like yours in aligning your lBM i/AS400 systems with modern day business needs.
If you are looking for a complete IBM i modernization, or a team of IBM i modernization experts as an extension to your in-house team – we are here to help you futureproof your IBM i investments.
Because futureproofing isn’t optional – it’s essential.
Join us at Common POWERUp 2025 to witness how Integrative Systems empowers you to retain your IBM i investments with strategic IBM i modernization.
Our IBM i modernization experts will be discussing our unique approach to IBM i modernization, challenges and queries that are holding you back from approaching modernization – stories, strategies and a lot more on the go!
Let’s unfold the future of IBM i together. See you at COMMON #POWERUp 2025!