As business needs evolve, the need for IBM i modernization becomes evident.
No questions asked – IBM i is still the most reliable and robust platform to run mission-critical business applications.
What’s creating a problem is – its growing irrelevance with modern–day business needs.
Thinking, “Is there a way to retain my existing IBM i investments and stay relevant with changing business needs?”
A strategic IBM i modernization is the answer.
Today, we shall discuss –
- When should you consider IBM i application modernization?
- Integrative Systems approach to IBM i modernization.
Without any further ado, let’s get started!
When to Consider IBM i Modernization?
IBM i application modernization is a top priority for 57% users ~ As per 2025 Marketplace Survey by Fortra.
Still, there is a staggering 43% of users who are still deferring, postponing, or ignoring IBM i modernization.
If you find yourself among the rest of 43% users – it’s time to act and embrace modernization as a strategic initiative.
Let’s look at some crucial operational roadblocks that call for IBM i application modernization.
Slowed Down Business Processes
We often say this to our customers/prospects – a timely upgrade was all you needed to keep your technology at pace with your changing business needs.
Now, this isn’t propaganda to make them keep coming to us.
But, a fact that we all must start to believe.
How long are your legacy processes going to support your business functions?
Fine. Can you affirm that your operational preferences haven’t changed even a bit over the years?
They have changed, haven’t they?
Then, how do you expect the legacy processes which were written using legacy RPG code to match your current operational needs?
Well, lack of adaptability isn’t the only reason for your business processes to slow down.
It could be the patch fixes & temporary turnarounds your team applied.
It could be excessive manual intervention, and siloed data systems leading to strained resources & missed opportunities.
It could be the lack of process automation resulting in valuable time burnt for mundane tasks.
Realize, the agenda is to understand that rigid & legacy business processes hold you back. They prevent you from embracing market changes – cutting your growth potential.
AS400 modernization allows you the opportunity to futureproof your IBM i investments via improving collaboration between departments, enabling faster decision-making and boosting operational efficiency.
Future-Proof Your Business with IBM i Modernization
Partner with Integrative Systems Today!
Meet us Common POWERUp 2025!
Book a Meeting 5250 Green Screens
“I don’t think AS400 green screen to GUI modernization would make a difference to my IBM i/AS400 applications!”
Precisely, a classic reply we would get from 7/10 AS400 CTOs.
Among our timely discussions with our prospects/existing customers, we often hear them complain about –
- Weakened AS400 application performance
- Application accessibility concerns
- Time-intensive administration
- Dipping user productivity
When we tell them – AS400 green screen modernization can resolve all these problems; they defend their green screens like anything!
Well, we understand – AS400 green screens have been a symbol of reliability for a long time.
Considering the time, energy, and cost that went into nurturing these systems is unparalleled – and a sudden change doesn’t seem soliciting.
The users who have got comfortable with 5250 green screens would resist the change.
The new graphical user interface might call for extensive efforts to integrate with the old applications.
But at what cost would you delay this change?
- IBM i applications slowing down & failing?
- IBM i users immersed into administrative overheads?
- IBM i users struggling to access applications & data in real time?
Acc to 2024 IBM i Marketplace Survey Results ~ Out of 270 IBM i users surveyed from all over the world; “For the third straight year, concern around modernization has grown with 72% of respondents now citing it as a top concern compared to just 51% in 2021.”
Why settle and continue with incompatible green screens when you can adopt sleek and responsive interfaces?
Limitations on Reporting & Analysis
Limitation on reporting and data analysis a yet another concern cited by most of the AS400 CTOs.
May it be making crucial business decisions or identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies – data plays a vital role.
Legacy IBM i systems struggle to date to offer real-time visibility into the data owing to their outdated reporting capabilities.
How long will you rely on static reports?
How long will you delay time-sensitive business decisions?
How long will you let your critical business operations suffer?
As a progressive CTO in today’s dynamic business environment, you must have access to data across departments for reliable business forecasts.
Additionally, legacy reporting lacks customization – presenting challenges in visualizing data.
Without dynamic reporting capabilities –
- You struggle identifying data trends
- You struggle predicting market shifts
- You struggle addressing inefficiencies
IBM i application modernization presents you an opportunity to redefine your reporting and analytical capabilities.
Future-Proof Your Business with IBM i Modernization
Partner with Integrative Systems Today!
Meet us Common POWERUp 2025!
Book a Meeting Legacy Infrastructure & Security
77% of respondents listed cybersecurity as a top concern ~ 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey by Fortra.
IBM i systems are hailed for their robustness, security and indomitable infrastructure. But, when it comes to modern-day cyberattacks, it lacks the necessary security provisions.
Why does this happen?
Again – delayed upgrades and paying no heed to inclining security concerns.
But, as the stat above reads – about 79% of IBM i users are prioritizing security of their IBM i assets.
Would you still wish to be among the 21% who would delay security patches, upgrades, and leave their systems vulnerable to security breaches?
Hope you don’t!
Realize, regulatory compliance becomes difficult with outdated security stature.
And not just that
Aging hardware & software leads to –
- System downtime & reduced performance
- Frequent system outages & disruption
- Damaged customer trust
AS400 modernization brings you an opportunity to redefine the overall security stature of your IBM i environment.
Next, let’s understand Integrative Systems approach to IBM i application modernization.
Integrative Systems’ Approach to IBM i Modernization
What comes to your mind when you hear “IBM i modernization”?
Rewriting matured business workflows from ground-zero?
Replacing existing IBM i systems from scratch?
Loosening up on years of IBM i investments?
Well, it’s the least of what you read.
IBM i modernization is a transformative approach and not disruptive.
We at Integrative Systems help you retain your existing IBM i investments and redefine the way you operate with strategic IBM i modernization.
Thinking, “How?”
Without any further ado, let’s understand.
Keep What Works. Modernize What Doesn’t!
At Integrative Systems, we differ by our approach to AS400 modernization.
Though IBM i users are prioritizing IBM i application modernization these days, there are users who are still skeptical about it.
We often hear them say – “We’ve built competitive processes around IBM i. We don’t want to loosen up on the value we’ve created over the years by modernizing it completely.”
Though, we understand the concern and it has a merit. And this is where our approach to AS400 modernization creates a difference.
We don’t encourage dump and build from scratch approach.
We understand it’s a time-consuming, and costly affair. It also involves a bigger risk where critical operations come to a standstill.
Instead, our AS400 experts assess your AS400 systems and environment – to help you keep what works and revamp what doesn’t.
The goal is to keep your core processes intact and optimize your IBM i applications for performance, efficiency, and relevance.
To futureproof your IBM i applications – a team of dedicated RPG experts works as an extension of your in-house team.
They help retain the business logic and modernize the processes.
They help you attain your custom development goals.
They offer on-going 365 x 24 x 7 support.
Integrative Systems approach to AS400 modernization involves translation of legacy RPG programs into the modern form without any changes to the core business logic.
As a result, you get to leverage the competitive business processes you’ve built over the years with the improved relevance with modern-day functionalities.
Future-Proof Your Business with IBM i Modernization
Partner with Integrative Systems Today!
Meet us Common POWERUp 2025!
Book a Meeting From Green Screens to Modern GUI
Green screens – something that existing IBM i users prefer over a change, and new users refrain from accepting!
We often hear our existing customers/prospects complain about the green screens.
They say – “Feels like we’re stuck in the 1980s. New hires hate the green screens. It affects recruiting and job satisfaction but replacing everything isn’t an option.”
And our answer is simple – you don’t have to replace everything, except the green screens!
As discussed earlier in the conversation – replacing IBM i is an overhauling process which invites time commitment, costs, with a considerable degree of operational disruption.
It should be the last option you may take – the extreme!
You may ask – “Can we replace the green screens without changing the existing business logic & processes?”
Yes, of course – that’s what Integrative Systems GUI modernization approach is all about!
Our team of AS400 experts begin with identifying underlying critical AS400 applications and workflows.
Then the team works on translating these interfaces into sleek, and intuitive interfaces.
All of this with your critical business applications running in the background. You lose nothing on the green screens, unless your team gets comfortable with the newly designed user interface.
The team of AS400 experts supports the transition with continued support and user adoption.
The switch happens only when you say – “We are ready!”
From Static Reports to Actionable Insights!
Reporting and analytics have been a rooted problem for AS400 users.
“Our reports are outdated before we even see them. Extracting data is a nightmare – only a few people can do it and even then, they’re clunky and limited.”
9/10 AS400 prospects would complain about below par reporting capabilities impacting crucial decisions.
Our capable team of AS400 experts help fix the reporting issues without disrupting operations.
You may ask, “How?”
The Integrative Systems approach to improved reporting & analytics – this involves the double power of SQL and Power BI.
1st – A team of AS400 experts help migrate your crucial business data to SQL databases – this enables improved connectivity with data sources, doubles the speed of data retrieval and accelerates access to real-time data.
2nd – A team of Power BI experts help create intuitive dashboards, and reports that sync with the data in real-time – this enables decision-makers to access actionable insights in real-time and get a holistic view of the business data.
We help you attain advanced reporting & analytics without disrupting your routine operations, even a bit.
Strengthen AS400 Infrastructure with Security Practices
RPG talent is retiring.
IBM i infrastructure is vulnerable to modern-day cyberattacks.
How should we prioritize IBM i modernization? Who would do the due diligence and disaster recovery if something goes wrong?
8/10 AS400 users cite staffing as a growing concern amidst IBM i modernization initiatives.
That’s where Integrative Systems pitches in!
We provide 365 x 24 x 7 on-going AS400 support.
We offer round-the-clock support where our team handles L1, L2, and L3 tickets, enabling your in-house team to handle the strategic priorities.
Besides that our team of AS400 experts also offer development, maintenance, and project management help. They help you strengthen end-to-end security stature of your IBM i systems, fortifying your IBM i environment against modern-day threats.
Thinking of long-term enhancements?
Our team of AS400 experts is capable of handling integrations, strategic upgrades, and IBM i modernization needs, effortlessly.
Bottom line is, we help you keep what works and replace what needs attention. We help you modernize your IBM i systems, while preserving your existing IBM i investments.
Let’s Meet at Common POWERUp 2025
The future of IBM i is here, already.
You must decide – if you want to let the legacy challenges hold you back or embrace IBM i modernization while retaining your IBM i investments.
Join us at Common POWERUp 2025 to witness how Integrative Systems enables you to modernize your IBM i environment and open new avenues for growth.
Our AS400 experts will be there to discuss your unique IBM i challenges, share real-life success stories, and shed light on the transformative power of strategic IBM i modernization.
Let’s witness the future of your IBM i together. See you at Common POWERUp 2025!
Future-Proof Your Business with IBM i Modernization
Partner with Integrative Systems Today!
Meet us Common POWERUp 2025!
Book a Meeting 
