IBM’s AS/400 servers, also known as iSeries, can handle many things simultaneously. Its architecture has been developed to address enterprise resource planning (ERP) and many other robust tasks.
Enterprise who doesn’t compromise on reliability and security, IBM iSeries AS400 is the answer for them. Companies have believed in the legacy of IBM iSeries AS/400 since its start; it’s just that now they are pulling out of their on-premises server duties and switching to IBMi hosting.
In this blog, we have briefly described the five most significant hosting trends about IBM iSeries AS400. Have a look:
Why are Businesses Moving toward AS400 Cloud Hosting?
Ever wonder why CTOs are drifting away from traditional on-premises AS400 hosting to IBM iSeries cloud hosting?
Well, there are multifarious perspectives to this transition.
Some are motivated by the commercial benefits and others are driven by the technological benefits of it. But, all-in-all, the transition from traditional IBM iSeries AS400 servers to cloud is a win-win – no matter partial or complete.
Let’s understand some key benefits of AS400 cloud hosting.
5X Savings on Cost Savings
First, let’s uncover the cost factor.
An on-premises physical server needs timely maintenance – including environment, infrastructure, and wear and tears.
It also includes operational maintenance where you need a team of professionals to monitor the resource utilization, provisioning, and other activities.
No matter how far you go to optimize the performance & maintenance of your on-premises servers, the operational costs cause consistent commercial strain.
Whereas on the hand, when you go with AS400 cloud hosting – you only pay for the resources you consume. Your capital expenses would be reduced drastically with AS400 cloud hosting services.
Performance & Resource Scalability
Resource unavailability is a big concern.
We’ve heard of lot of CTOs complain about delayed batch job processing due to resource unavailability. Over-provisioning and under-provisioning cause a lot of operational friction which can bring the operations to a standstill.
IBM iSeries cloud hosting allows you to scale your infrastructure up and down, based on changing processing needs. With AS400 cloud hosting in place, you can devise a proactive resource provisioning plan and only pay for the resources you utilize.
This ensures your AS400 applications perform optimally through the peak periods without any operational strain. Also, you can save costs during the low-demand periods.
Enhanced Security Stature
Cybersecurity is reported as the top concern by 77% of IBM i users.
~ As per the 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey by Fortra.
Given the fact that AS400 has the best-in-class security enforcements in place – There are over 100,000 companies that use AS/400 technology as it exists within IBM i to power their most mission-critical application ~ as per Fortra.
But, what we must realize is that the security provisions aren’t good enough to protect IBM i data and applications against modern-day cyberattacks, unless they went under timely upgrades.
Approaching AS400 cloud hosting offers an edge, as it comes with security provisions, capable of combatting modern-day cyber threats.
When you work with leading IBM i hosting providers, they help you implement multi-layer security solutions. This includes firewalls, encryption, and advanced threat detection.
As a result, your IBM i workloads and data are protected against cyber threats. Also, your AS400 environment is compliant with industry standards like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Accessibility & Remote Management
Did you know?
About 86% of employees lose approximately 18 hours a month due to IT issues.
An average employee is productive for 2 hours and 53 minutes a day.
That’s 31% of an average 8-hour workday.
Everything boils down to the degree of freedom your IBM i users have to access the IBM i applications.
User-experience is yet another factor that contributes highly to lowered user productivity.
AS400 cloud hosting opens an opportunity to reinvent the degree-of-freedom for accessibility. While shifting the IBM i workloads to the cloud, you can also go for AS400 application GUI modernization. This will help revamp the user interface for your IBM i applications.
Counting the benefits of IBM iSeries cloud hosting, it enables your users to manage AS400 workloads remotely. They can access applications & data from anywhere, anytime, boosting operational efficiency.
Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery
49% of IBM i users are prioritizing high-availability and disaster recovery.
~ As per 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey by Fortra.
With half of the IBM i users prioritizing high availability and disaster-recovery (on consensus surveyed), it’s evident that CTOs are progressively thinking about future-proofing their IBM i investments.
With cloud-based IBM iSeries AS400 hosting, you get to leverage the built-in redundancy and automated backups. This ensures no-to-low downtime, high availability and faster disaster recovery.
Next, let’s understand about the top trends for IBM iSeries AS400 hosting.
What are the Top IBM i Hosting Trends for 2025?
1. Growing Demand for Hybrid Cloud Solutions
Hybrid cloud solutions are the talk of the town.
Reason? It offers you the best of both the worlds – On-premises & Cloud!
CTOs are more inclined toward hybrid cloud models as it allows them to leverage both on-premises AS400 servers and IBM iSeries cloud hosting. This enables optimal performance and flexibility.
And, not just that, a hybrid cloud strategy power IBM iSeries AS400 with –
- Improved security procedures
- Superior control on the workflows
- Seamless workload scalability to cope fluctuating workloads
2. Security-First Approach in AS400 Hosting
Cybersecurity concerns have topped the table for IBM i concerns. 77% of IBM i users cited it as a top concern.
~ As per 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey by Fortra.
Unsurprisingly, AS400 security services are the next thing going to be in trend, this year.
If you still have a “Why” buzzing around, here are some reasons CTOs are prioritizing security.
CTOs are in for –
- Data encryption for safe & secure data transmission
- Multi-level authentication to restrict unauthorized access
- Timely security audits to comply with industry regulations
- AI-powered security monitoring for real-time threat identification
AS400 security services ensure this and way beyond, making your AS400 ecosystem tamperproof!
3. AI & Automation in IBM iSeries AS400 Hosting
AI & automation is taking over to reduce the excessive strain on manual labor.
We are seeing mundane processes getting automated!
We are seeing repetitive tasks getting automated!
We are seeing human errors getting eliminated!
Over 30% IBM i users are prioritizing AI-adoption in their 2025 IBM i strategy.
~ As per 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey by Fortra.
AI-powered automation is capable of transforming iSeries managed hosting solutions by –
- Minimizing downtime via predicting server failures
- Reducing human intervention with maintenance automation
- Saving operational costs through optimized resource allocation
4. Increased Focus on Compliance & Regulations
With industries like healthcare, finance, and retail relying on IBM i, IBM i hosting providers must ensure compliance with:
- HIPAA for healthcare data security.
- PCI DSS for financial transactions.
- GDPR for data privacy protection.
- SOX for corporate governance in publicly traded companies.
5. Migration to Public and Private Cloud Platforms
Businesses are migrating their IBM AS400 hosting to platforms like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and IBM Cloud, ensuring –
- Better uptime & reliability.
- Cost savings with pay-as-you-go models.
- Advanced security measures like AI-based monitoring.
6. Increasing Use of High Availability (HA) & Disaster Recovery (DR)
More businesses are implementing HA/DR solutions in cloud environments to minimize downtime.
Solutions like PowerHA, Robot HA, and cloud-based backups are gaining traction, ensuring continuous business operations in case of system failures.
7. Shift to Subscription & Consumption-Based Pricing
IBM now offers subscription pricing for Power9/Power10 servers, aligning with cloud-like pricing models.
Businesses are opting for operational expense (OpEx) models over traditional capital investments, making cloud adoption more financially viable.
8. Managed Hosting for IBM iSeries and AS400
Outsourcing AS400 hosting to specialized IBM i hosting providers is a growing trend.
Businesses opt for iSeries managed hosting solutions to –
- Offload IT infrastructure management.
- Focus on core business functions.
- Ensure continuous monitoring, updates, and security enforcement.
9. AS400 Security Services and Zero Trust Model
As security threats evolve, AS400 security services are becoming more advanced.
The Zero Trust Model is gaining traction, ensuring continuous authentication and verification of all users and devices accessing IBM i systems.
10. Outsourcing IBM iSeries AS400 Expertise
As the talent pool in IBM iSeries AS400 dwindles, IBM AS/400 users find it more challenging to find reliable and skilled IBM i experts.
Minimum skills required for managing IBM AS400 iSeries include – IBM iSeries AS400 OS Management, IBM iSeries Administration, Backup & Retention, Version Upgrade, and troubleshooting.
The reasons for this essential skill are many. This includes retiring in-house talent, implementing new technologies (ERP, e-commerce, CRM, analytics, etc.), and running various systems.
IBM iSeries AS400 cloud hosting service provides these users with the resources they need to run their business in collaboration with IBM AS/400 experts that can be easily accessed whenever you need any help.
11. Secure Data Centre
Data centres are very popular because their companies get more security, redundancy, continuity, and disaster resistance than they can afford on an internal data centre.
Most IBM iSeries AS400 users have limited security. Often, they do not have a disaster recovery plan in the context of natural disasters.
For such reasons, many IBM iSeries AS400 users host their local servers in a single data centre.
So, IBM AS/400 users get excited when they consider hosting a state-of-the-art IBM POWER server hosted.
They now have a greater sense of security, continuity, and flexibility than they had earlier. If they already had the data centre facility, they could have saved lots of hosting money.
12. Reduced Cost of Ownership
Speaking to potential customers here at Integrative Systems, we explained that getting a hosting service would be less expensive if they compared the price of an on-premises server to the cost of 5 years of hosting.
However, server costs are not the only costs incurred by IBM iSeries AS400 users. We explained to these potential customers that they could have included the cost of:
IBM iSeries AS400 support (hardware and software support, server management, backup and retention, software patches, version upgrades, and troubleshooting support).
Secure, redundant data centre and management (UPS, redundant power, redundant cooling, and fire suppression, firewall, internet security, etc.),
Ability to endure and recover.
And Many More
13. Flexibility
IBM iSeries hosting offers flexible terms. Most of the time, you only pay for what you need and only when you need it.
This is especially appealing to businesses that intend to end their IBM AS400 application support in the exchange of newer technologies. More specifically, they may be running older IBM iSeries servers without IBMi support. They may need more time to migrate to more recent applications, but they may not want to purchase a new server or enhance their IBM iSeries AS400 talent.
14. Reduce the Deviation
With IBM iSeries AS400 Hosting, users do not have to deal with deviations such as:
- Hardware error messages
- Respond to unexpected IBM service termination (EOS) announcements
- IBM Support Renewal (HWMA and SWMA)
- Backup media
- Off-site backup management
- UPS and battery management and replacement
Why isn’t IBM AS400 iSeries Cloud Hosting Slowing Down?
Have a look at a few reasons why IBM iSeries cloud hosting is not slowing down:
1- Access to Talented IBM iSeries AS400 Specialists
Following the retirement of the old IBM AS400 specialists, companies are looking for IBM experts who have specialized skills like:
- Backup management
- Programming
- Perception
- Version update
Skilled programmers and advanced business applications in IBM iSeries AS400 are dwindling and can be difficult to replace when they are lost. By eliminating long and complex employee searches, experts can be sought from outside by hosting providers such as Integrative Systems.
2- Big Security Benefits
Disaster recovery is a major reason why companies prefer hosting with IBM iSeries AS/400 because of its internal equipment and its ability to recover data in the event of a breach. In addition, hosting outsourcing is more profitable as the hosting service provider can match the level of security required, as technically advanced equipment is needed for hosting.
Companies can reap the benefits of modern technology when they choose to outsource hosting.
3- No Hidden Expenses Like On-Premises Server
Companies set the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the life of their on-premises servers. Over time, the internal server cost them more than its initial investment.
Expenses include redundant data centre security functions and administrative data loss prevention measures such as:
- Disaster recovery
- Put out the fire
- Firewall
- Internet security
- Overcooling/heating
- An uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
The cost of maintaining the server accrues, and once that cost is incurred, the server itself will expire. This single action can put the business at risk. IBM AS/400 hosting services enable enterprises to continue without spending too much money on server maintenance.
4- Pay for the Usability Only
Through IBM AS/400 hosting service, companies streamline their operating budgets. This way, it’s easier for them to leave their old servers and bring in new apps when they’re paying for the services they use. Furthermore, due to the age of the servers, the warranty and technical support that come with them become obsolete. IBM iSeries AS400 makes smooth transitions in the hosting cloud. With Integrative Systems, customers get a piece of the larger enterprise virtualized cloud infrastructure, making it easier to expand or downgrade as per their business needs.
5- Eliminate Productivity-Wasting Diversions
When error messages about any equipment appear, technical staff should stop working on the project and fix the problem. Meanwhile, productivity slows or stops. As with all computer-related devices, termination of service (EOS) announcements will be issued from time to time. Cloud hosting of IBM AS/400 takes the drama away, allowing IT staff to focus on development and implementation.
Integrative Systems as your Go-to Cloud Hosting Partner
IBM iSeries AS400 trends are growing every day and for a good reason. If you have questions about AS400 hosting services, we can answer them. Whether you’re in the cloud or need management or maintenance services, you can trust Integrative Systems and their team of IBM iSeries AS400 experts.
We are a global provider of solutions focused on IT and IBM iSeries AS400 and have extensive experience providing technical support to companies in all sectors. Our company believes in accountability and integrity. Let’s discuss your IBM iSeries AS400 cloud hosting needs.
Feel free to connect with us by sending an email at [email protected], and someone from our team will connect with you in the shortest time possible.
