What is your primary goal as a technology leader?
- To reduce operational expenses
- To improve operational scalability
- To enhance collaboration & productivity
A proficient technology leader juggles these balls simultaneously, knowing when to focus on one more than the other, ensuring that none are dropped.
Today, like all your fellow technology leaders, we believe you must also be exposed to the benefits and scalability the AS400 migration brings to your business.
But did you know? Businesses that migrated from AS 400 to modern recourses have undergone a cost reduction of 40%, with lowered maintenance and operational expenses. – as per Forrester Consulting.
A company achieved a 1000% improvement in scalability with a 70% reduction in the batch processing time with AS/400 migration to the cloud. – According to a Case Study by Microsoft Azure.
We believe these statistics have made you curious to know more about the AS400 migration.
If so, you must read this blog to gain expert insights on the migration.
What insights you are set to gain today?
- Why AS 400 cloud migration is the need of the hour?
- What are the benefits of AS400 iSeries Migration?
- How to pick the apt cloud solution for your needs?
- How to migrate AS/400 applications to the cloud?
Let’s begin without further ado.
But first, what is AS400 migration?
An AS400 cloud migration is a lifesaver for your legacy applications. It involves a strategic transformation from on-premises outdated systems to cloud-based platforms with little to no disruption.
The primary reason for AS/400 iSeries migration is the cost-saving, agreed 76% of respondents – surveyed by Fresche Solutions.
However, we agree that cost may not be the top reason for you to take that step for AS 400 migrations to cloud.
Read ahead to understand the AS-400 legacy system challenges and unveil how AS400 iSeries migration mitigates them successfully with ease.
Why is AS400 Migration the need of the hour?
Instead of dwelling around any vague claims, let’s walk through the core business challenges that migration to cloud resolves for you.
Outdated Technology
The legacy AS/400 iSeries technology is giving you the benefits of the 1990s, restricting you from modern advancements such as artificial intelligence, real-time analytics, and seamless integration with custom tools, and potentially causing a competitive disadvantage in today’s digital era.
Scalability Challenges
Scalability for a growing business is as important as water is to the plants. Without scalability, your business is struggling to meet emerging needs, adapt to the changing market trends, and grab the opportunities that could propel your business forward, ultimately, declining your ROI.
Data Security Concerns
If we consider cybercrime as an economy, then soon it will be the world’s third-largest economy after the U.S. and China, as per NASDAQ.
Considering the inherent vulnerabilities of AS/400 systems when paired with the evolving tactics of cybercriminals, all AS-400 legacy users are at a significant disadvantage.
Thinking about what the best solution could be to hone the security of your AS400 (Application System/400) legacy systems? – An investment in AS400 migration to the cloud.
It shall protect the financial losses and damage to your reputation and trust.
High Maintenance Costs
High maintenance costs associated with maintaining the AS 400 legacy systems is a pressing concern for technology leaders like you. From licensing fees, hardware maintenance, and software patches to hidden costs such as prolonged system downtime and customizations, the impact often goes unnoticed.
Limited Access to Skilled Resources
To build a successful company, you don’t need to be adept at everything, but you should have access to the best resources that can take your business to the desired level.
The old problem with the AS400 legacy system is the shrinking AS-400 iSeries talent pool and the problem continues to persist; leaving you vulnerable to operational inefficiencies and dependency risk.
The AS/400 cloud migration is like the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle that effortlessly completes the picture of your business’s digital transformation.
Moving on, let’s shed light on the benefits of AS400 migration services.
Why Should You Invest in AS400 Migration, today?
The businesses and business leaders that undertake the process of cloud migration can experience a dramatic effect.
From the impressive flexibility, faster time to market, higher response rate, the list goes on.
Let’s look at the top benefits of the cloud:
Cost-Efficiency
Over 76% of business leaders have embraced the AS/400 cloud because of its cost efficiency. Unlike the traditional IBM i systems that called for upfront capital investment, the cloud’s pay-as-you-go-model removed the expensive hardware and administration costs from the picture.
Ultimately, your business experiences a significant reduction in the overall cost of ownership.
Improved Efficiency
Cloud-based AS 400 systems can boost your team’s efficiency by 3X. As opposed to the traditional IBM i systems, the cloud infrastructure facilitates smooth collaboration, and streamlined development processes with powerful analytics tools, machine learning capabilities, and much more.
Ultimately, the improved efficiency results in quicker decision-making.
Simplified Management and Maintenance
The AS 400 migration pivots the hardware management and maintenance responsibility to the cloud provider. This frees up your IT resources, enabling them to focus on more productive and meaningful tasks instead of routine maintenance activities.
AS400 Cloud Talent
Why focus on finding the AS-400 developers when you can find cloud professionals with AS/400 skills? The AS400 migration services providers offer you ready access to niche talent. They not only optimize the migration process but ensure to overcome each obstacle that may come your way. This ready-to-bag talent frees energies up that you might have burned against finding the right talent to work for you.
Airtight Security
In the digital era, cyber security is no longer an IT issue, it has become a business risk. The AS400 migration to the cloud protects your business from cyber threats and prepares you to tackle the advanced cyber landscape.
With stringent security measures and data breach mitigation, the cloud security infrastructure proves to be a vital asset in your digital transformation strategy.
All in all, the AS-400 to cloud migration empowers you with a wide variety of advantages you need to thrive in the competitive business era.
Despite having multiple benefits, the migration process can feel overwhelming if you are planning to do it on your own. A successful and effortless AS/400 cloud migration calls for expertise, experience, and detailed planning.
Let’s see how you can migrate your AS400 applications and data to the Cloud.
How to migrate AS/400 applications and data to the Cloud?
Whether you take expert help or plan to do it in-house, here’s a step-by-step guide for you.
Your AS400 data migration and cloud migration process may look like this:
1. Define your current business challenges, goals, and needs. Also, jot down your future business needs.
2. Secondly, create a reliable backup of all of your AS/400 iSeries applications and data.
3. Thirdly, select a reliable and suitable cloud platform as per your business needs. You have 2 primary cloud migration choices –
- AS/400 migration to Azure
- AS-400 AWS migration
4. Next, develop a detailed migration plan and initiate the migration of data and applications to the cloud. There are different approaches to the AS400 iSeries migration –
- Re-Host
- Re-Engineer
- Re-Architect and,
- Re-New your AS/400 Software
5. During and after the completion of migration, test and validate the data and applications for optimal performance.
6. Optimize application performance and configurations for the cloud environment.
7. Establish a training and support system for relevant teams.
8. Document the entire migration operation for future needs and improvements.
You can sum up the AS400 migration process in 5 words:
Prepare, Plan, Migrate, Operate, Optimize.
Remember, it’s not going to be the same for all. Different organizations need different modernization approaches.
Therefore, it’s important to gain in-depth knowledge from AS 400 experts who can find the absolute-fit solution that is designed to help you achieve your AS400 migration goals faster and better.
Are you looking for a reliable, resource-ready, experienced partner with your domain expertise to serve your AS 400 cloud migration needs?
We have got your back.
Integrative Systems: Your ideal partner for AS400 migration
At Integrative Systems, we are an IBM-certified cloud partner, facilitating 20+ years of expertise to help you achieve your cloud migration goals at twice the speed and half the price.
With our decades of experience in helping multiple businesses migrate their existing setup to the cloud, we foresee the challenges, employ the best industry practices, and drive your business growth like our own.
All this while, you remain focused on growing your business operations.
Got more queries?
Book a FREE consultation call with our AS/400 cloud migration experts at [email protected] or call us at 1.866.468.7974 (INTSYSI) and get professional guidance within 48 hours.
FAQ
1. What are the different approaches to AS400 migration?
Ans: There are different approaches to cloud migration.
- Refactor/Re-architect
- Replatform (Lift and Reshape)
- Repurchase (Drop and Shop)
- Rehost (Lift and Shift)
- Relocate (Hypervisor-Level Lift and Shift)
- Retain (Revisit)
- Retire
Each business has unique needs; thus, it requires unique approaches. Consult a migration expert for a thorough business analysis and boost the chances of successful migration.
2. What challenges may businesses face during AS400 migration?
Ans: Migrating from a legacy platform to a modern cloud environment presents various challenges that businesses need to address effectively:
- Downtime and Business Continuity
- Legacy Technology Dependencies
- Data Migration Complexity
- Security and Compliance
A team of AS-400 migration experts will effectively address these challenges with a well-defined strategy and collaboration.
3. How long does an AS/400 cloud migration usually take?
Ans: It depends on the length and complexity of your applications, data, and unique goals and needs. The right iSeries migration expert will conduct a thorough assessment to understand the length, complexity, and unique requirements of your applications and data, and then you will arrive at the approximated time-estimation.
Looking to migrate your AS-400 applications to the cloud with the help of a reliable partner? Reach out to us at [email protected] and our experts will get back to you within 2 business days.
