Irrelevant Questions on The Future of AS400 iSeries Systems

In 1988, IBM introduced the AS400 system with several integrated systems featuring hardware (AS400) and an operating system (OS400). The system was used to perform data integration and several other core business functions.

With the passage of time, both the hardware and software of AS400 have undergone many upgrades, revisions, and name changes. Today the AS400 system is popularly known as IBM iSeries, while the hardware is known as Power Systems and operating system is called as IBMi.

This is the reason that companies that invested in an AS400 decades ago continue to leverage this system for their current needs. This is the reason companies that opted for the stability of AS400 decades ago continue to leverage the systems capabilities and its newer technological features gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. Globally, there are over 100,000 companies that steadfastly rely on their AS400 architecture.

The Early Days of IBM AS400 Services 

Let’s visualize the era of the 1980’s when the internet was not deployed to accommodate business transactions, and dial-up networks were extravagant (Assume thousands of dollars), and blackouts happening was so regular that companies were investing more energy in troubleshooting than really performing the tasks.

In Rochester, MN, where AS 400 iSeries was developed, the framework permitted clients to stay focused on their business applications rather than operational tasks.

This easy-to-use framework gave flawless flexibility, uptime, and low maintenance cost to the organizations as IBM designed the framework to act strongly even in a nirvana state.

IBM AS/400 is a technology platform that permits organizations to have an administrator for managing their System for all their technology needs.

Information base, web, application, mail, document, and printer all run in a centralized work environment, where the processor can be controlled to work on the important task first.

The most sought benefit of AS 400 iSeries is its database. DB2 is the OS, and it works at the most significant level and doesn’t need a database administrator. It worked impeccably and was reliable in the past and is today.

IBM Broadens its Product Line

In August of 1990, IBM revealed two low-cost processors and added a low-end processor to the Application System. By this time, the whole as400/iSeries arrangement was upgraded with many hardware and software programs.

This included working framework upgrades, new data storage items, extended memory, better framework accessibility, and various modernized applications.

Another base model and a new form of the AS400 working framework were also presented. And, in 1993, another F model, as400/iSeries, was revealed, and it was more effective by 60% as per IBM sources. However, the new model was offered 26% better cost and performance enhancements.

Around the same time, three new superior AS400 iSeries working models were introduced. They include – the 9402-server model 100 and the 9504-server model 135 and 140.

For many organizations and IT experts that have staked their business on this stage in its different manifestations, the as400 i series is the best software that comes with unwavering quality and minimal expense.

By the end of the 90s era, IBM reported a great new line of AS400/iSeries range with fast processors, expanded execution, and more prominent adaptability to deal with numerous applications on an individual server. The new line of servers merged various models into a smaller and remarkable family.

IBM AS400 Services Many Name Changes

While talking about the development and history of IBM AS400 SERVICES, considering the name changes over the years is unavoidable.

Do things begin with the reason for changing the name from IBM as400 i series to IBM iSeries to Power Systems? You may blame IBMi marketing for this, but genuinely thinking they are trying to get ahead of the rat race of quick developmental changes.

IBM as400 i series to iSeries to System I and now IBM as400 on Power, each change fortified and built-up IBM’s obligation to keeping this platform relevant for today’s digital advancement.

Some of the key Advantages Offered by iSeries Systems are as Discussed Below:

1. IBM iSeries is Scalable:

IBMi is scalable, it supports business requirements that range from very small to very large organizations. They can start with an affordable 4-core server and can go up to 256-core machines.

2. IBM iSeries is Modern:

In addition, it supports a healthy mix of native and open source development languages. including RPG, Cobol, SQL, Java, .NET, PHP, C, and C++.

3. IBM iSeries is Secure:

Everything including the software, databases, files, etc. on the AS400 is object based. Due to this native architecture, it is impossible to hack data stored at the iSeries server. That’s the reason it is the preferred choice in several data sensitive organizations such as banking, finance and insurance companies.

IBM iSeries is Reliable:

The system has successfully passed the test of time. It features enterprise-class reliability, which is the reason behind its immense popularity.

Today’s IT Environment and IBM iSeries

Organizations are going through modernization as they are re-evaluating the client’s requirements. With this, they are researching the models that exploit what is feasible to survive in the era of cutthroat competition.

Leaders for long are working on innovation to improve business processing. The only thing is, now customer assumptions have changed.

Today, most organizations are not limited to the business application of the past; instead, they are implementing innovative technologies running on IBM iSeries. It is all about offering technical freedom and symbolic value to the customer.

Then, why are There so Many Questions the Future of AS400 Systems? When it Has Never Stopped Innovating and Delivered a World Class Software Development Platform at a Considerable Cost Advantage

One of the answers could be that AS400/iSeries systems are not often used for simple, popular office functions, instead they are used to handle robust, business-critical applications like ERP, finance, or health information systems.

Apart from this, business leader fears that some of the technology veterans are reaching their retirement age. And with their retirement, all their knowledge and expertise walk out of the door.

However, they need to understand the underlying technology is well documented, understood and there are several organizations that are experts on the AS400 platform. Integrative Systems prides itself to be one such organization.

Integrative Systems brings more than 20 years of extensive ibm iseries experience. our solutions encompass as400 software development, iseries consulting and iseries modernization. our state of the art transformation services help our clients improve their operation by augmenting current business functionalities  from time tested critical as400 applications to newer architecture with point click, api integrations, secure applications.

To learn more about future of AS400 iSeries systems, drop in a quick line to us at [email protected]