We are in a whole new era of technology.
As an AS400 iSeries user, are you looking to enhance your IBM i ecosystem’s technical capabilities through RPG development?
You need a team of RPG developers to fulfill your mission.
The decision to hire a programmer RPG must not be taken casually. You must know what to look for in a candidate and the skills they must possess.
There’s more to it. You must also be fully aware of the critical role RPG programmer is playing in today’s tech landscape to leverage their complete potential.
In this blog, we dissect both parameters to maximize your RPG development efforts.
Today we’ll walk you through –
- Top AS400 RPG developers skills to look for
- How AS400 RPG programmers are driving the force of digital transformation in 2025?
- In-house vs Staff augmentation: Which Approach is Better?
- What are the benefits of hiring an AS400 RPG programmer from a Technology Partner?
- With a bonus: Where to hire talented RPG developers in the USA?
Let’s break the ice.
Why RPG Programmers are Key Drivers of Digital Transformation in 2025?
Almost every business based on AS400/iSeries is undergoing digital transformation. Those that are not, are likely considering it in the near future. The goal is to make the legacy technology relevant to modern-day business needs.
By embracing digital transformation in any way, businesses, like yours are extending the life of their systems while improving the bottom line.
Let’s understand how RPG developers are key drivers of the digital transformation journey in 2024.
IBM i Modernization
AS400 modernization refers to the process of modernizing your AS400 applications to be future-ready.
The RPG programmers are leveraging AS400 modernization to solve the challenges of
- Security
- Compliance
- Resource allocation
- System performance
- Outdated legacy software and hardware and drive digital transformation.
AS400 Migration to Cloud
Through AS400 cloud migration AS400 RPG programmers open the door to capabilities far beyond those of on-premises servers. And they empower you to embrace the new-found efficiency of the cloud and modern innovations.
They are driving the transformation by addressing the challenges of
- Cost
- Infrastructure
- Collaboration and productivity
- Resource allocation and utilization
- Operational scalability and elasticity
AS400 Automation
Through AS400 automation, RPG programmer/s are helping businesses, like yours achieve the goals 2X faster and step into the new world of speed, minimized errors, and operational efficiency.
The RPG programmers are driving the transformation by solving the challenges of
- Manpower
- Response time
- Technical debt
- System availability
Now that you know how RPG Programmers are driving digital transformation in 2025, it’s time to explore the key skills to look for in an RPG programmer.
11 Skills to Look for in RPG Programmers
Interestingly, the demand for RPG (Report Program Generator) programmers has been consistent since its inception by IBM in 1959.
Before hiring professional RPG programmers, you must know the skills the right candidate must possess.
So, without further ado, let’s go through the top 11 skills the RPG developer must have in 2025.
Your choice of RPG programmers must have these essential skills before you make the final call of onboarding them:
1. RPGILE and RPG Free Proficiency
RPGILE and RPG Free are the newer versions of the RPG Programming language. A proficient programmer in these versions is equipped to develop state-of-the-art business applications.
Their expertise ensures efficient, adaptable AS400 applications for businesses’ evolving needs. Applications built on the latest RPG versions give you a competitive edge and help you achieve your desired business results faster.
2. Debugging Techniques
Software can encounter issues regardless of the development results, so RPG programmers need to have strong debugging skills.
They must know the process of finding and rectifying these issues. An RPG programmer skilled in debugging ensures that software remains reliable, performs optimally, and delivers consistent results.
This skill also empowers them to ensure minimal downtime and business continuity, maintain the integrity of business applications and prevent costly interruptions.
3. DDS, CL, and Spooled Files Knowledge
DDS, CL, and spooled files are foundational in the RPG ecosystem.
DDS is responsible for defining data structures and ensuring data is organized and stored with finesse.
CL manages system tasks, ensuring seamless operations and spooled files handle outputs, ensuring data is directed where needed.
Together, these elements ensure that the system operates in sync and the data is managed with integrity.
So, your choice of RPG programmer must know how to:
- Design efficient data structures using DDS
- Orchestrate and optimize system processes with CL
- Manage data outputs effectively using spooled files
With these AS400 RPG programming skillsets, you can be confident that your RPG business applications are running smoothly and aligned with your business goals.
4. Impact Analysis
A professional RPG programmer doesn’t implement solutions without foresight. To avoid unintended consequences, conducting impact analysis is non-negotiable.
It helps AS400 RPG programmers assess the potential outcomes before the changes are applied. A careful impact analysis provides a roadmap and highlights both the challenges and benefits of the new strategy or idea.
Onboarding a professional RPG programmer with impact analysis skills helps you minimize the chances of disruptions and ensure that all modifications perfectly align with your business objectives.
Their ability to anticipate and navigate potential pitfalls means that your AS400 software remains robust and adaptable.
5. WebSphere Development Studio
WebSphere stands out as a comprehensive development environment. It offers tools that streamline the RPG AS400 programming development process, from initial design to final testing.
It also empowers RPG developers with faster development cycles, and your business with robust applications, and software that aligns with business objectives.
Hiring an RPG professional with expertise in WebSphere Development Studio help you leverage the full potential of the ecosystem. Their knowledge ensures that your projects are executed efficiently using WebSphere’s best practices and advanced features.
6. Technical Documentation
Documentation is a software blueprint that provides insights into design, functionality, and usage. A well-documented software ensures stakeholders, even those without technical expertise, can understand its benefits and potential.
While examining the skills of a potential RPG programmer, check their technical documentation skills. Give them a dynamic task that can help you understand the depth of their understanding and documentation skillset.
Effective technical documentation involves more than just writing. It also involves logically structuring information, ensuring clarity, and making complex concepts accessible. A programmer RPG adept at documentation creates comprehensive and user-friendly guides that can be referred to by future generations.
7. EDI Experience
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is crucial in the modern, interconnected business ecosystem. It streamlines data exchange between systems and ensures timely communication. It also helps you complete transactions faster and reduce errors.
An RPG programmer with proven EDI experience can integrate the capability into AS400 applications and enhance its utility.
You can check their EDI experience by asking about specific projects where they’ve implemented EDI, posing hypothetical situations or challenges related to EDI, and observing how they approach the problem.
Through these methods, you can thoroughly evaluate an RPG programmer’s EDI experience and ensure that you’re hiring an expert who understands different aspects of EDI.
8. Data Conversions
Data conversion is moving data between systems without losing integrity or original data structure. It helps your business with smooth continuity and reduces the risk of data loss.
An RPG programmer skilled in data conversions ensures smooth transitions, accessibility, and uninterrupted business operations.
With a robust team of AS400 RPG programmers who are experts at data conversion, you’re prepared for smooth technological shifts, ensuring your data is always safe and in capable hands.
9. FTP Automation
Data transfer is a routine yet critical operation for all businesses. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a standard method to approach effective data transfer.
Automating FTP processes ensures timely, secure, and consistent data transfers.
Your choice of AS400 RPG programmers must be skilled in FTP automation. It helps them set up systems that transfer data automatically at specified intervals, freeing up valuable time and resources for other tasks.
With FTP automation, the IBM RPG programming language developers’ can schedule data transfers for off-peak hours, reducing the strain on network resources during business hours and ensuring uninterrupted operations.
10. Embedded SQL
SQL is the language used to query these databases. When embedded within IBM RPG programming language, it allows for swift and efficient data retrieval.
An RPG programmer must have expertise in SQL to ensure that the software applications they develop are dynamic and responsive to handle complex data operations effectively.
By embedding SQL within RPG, they can craft intricate queries that fetch data seamlessly, ensuring the end-users can access the information they need without any delays.
As databases often store vast amounts of data, an RPG programmer proficient in embedded SQL can design optimized queries to sift through these large datasets and extract only the relevant information.
11. Continuous Learning
An RPG programmer’s commitment to continuous learning ensures they’re always equipped with the latest methodologies, tools, and best practices.
You can test the candidate’s continuous learning mindset by discussing recent RPG programming advancements.
You can also ask them about the latest versions they’ve worked on, any new tools they’ve adopted, or any recent courses or workshops they’ve attended. Their responses will give you insights into their proactive approach to staying updated.
Another effective method is to discuss challenges they’ve faced in past projects and how they overcame them. The solutions to these challenges often involve learning and adapting to new techniques.
Their ability to recount such instances and the lessons they derived from them will highlight their dedication to personal growth and development.
Now that you have understood the essential skills your choice of RPG programmer should possess, it’s time to implement the learning.
But hiring programmers expert in RPG language process can be a hectic, expensive, and time-consuming process.
There are 2 approaches to hiring RPG developers.
- Hire in-house RPG experts
- IT Staff Augmentation
Which one of the hiring approaches is meant for you? Let’s explore!
Hiring In-House RPG Developers vs IT Staff Augmentation
You may initially decide to stick with in-house RPG development but there are also instances where it pays to invest in outsourcing RPG developers.
Let’s look into the pros and cons of hiring developers for an in-house team versus using staff augmentation so you can make the best choice.
In-house AS400 RPG development advantages and disadvantages
| Pros of In-house Development | Cons of In-house Development |
| More accountability | Overhead expenses |
| Better control over security | Limited flexibility |
| Complete control over the operations | Small talent and experience pool to choose from |
| Limited access to RPG developers with niche skills | |
| Struggle to hire and retain the right RPG programmer | |
| High knowledge concentration | |
| Possibility of unexpected staff turnovers |
IT Staff Augmentation Advantages vs Disadvantages
| IT Staff Augmentation Pros | IT Staff Augmentation Cons |
| Focus on core objectives | Communication and collaboration challenges |
| Access to niche and specialized talent | Security concerns |
| Long-term cost savings | Contract renewal post-project completion |
| Faster time to market | |
| Cost flexibility | |
| Flexible staffing solutions | |
| Well-established development processes | |
| Low risk and guaranteed results | |
| No-long term commitment |
Evidently, IT staff augmentation proves to be a smarter choice in most situations.
If you’re confused between the two choices, know that there is an alternative to blend the choices and benefit from the best of both worlds.
Striking the golden balance:
Hiring all AS400 RPG programmers in-house will call for a significant IT budget. Plus, these experts may not need to be around all year around.
Maybe some of them do, but in most cases, businesses don’t need full-time RPG programmers 365 days a year.
This is when you can strike a golden balance with staff augmentation.
By hiring a cadre of RPG developers for your in-house team and augmenting expert RPG programmers from a reliable AS400 development company, you can strike the golden balance.
We’re confident that you now have an answer to your question – which hiring approach best my your business needs.
Let’s now zoom into the perks of hiring RPG AS400 programming developers from a reliable IBM i/AS400 development company.
Top Benefits of Hiring RPG Programmers from an Acknowledged Technology Partner
Outsourcing RPG development or hiring from their ready-to-access talent pool proves beneficial for your business in multiple ways.
Here are a few of them.
Cost-Effectiveness
Outsourcing helps you cut costs. Instead of paying full-time salaries and other overheads, you pay only for the services you use.
By avoiding long-term commitments, IT staff augmentation allows your business to adapt to changing needs without financial strain. Outsourcing also eliminates the costs associated with training and onboarding, allowing your companies to invest resources more efficiently.
Diverse Expertise
Technology partners or service providers have pre-vetted RPG programmers, each with a diverse skillset. By tapping into this diverse talent pool, your business can benefit from varied perspectives, innovative approaches, and well-established development processes.
Instead of being limited by the expertise of an in-house team, outsourcing provides you access to specialized and niche talent in different areas of RPG programming.
Scalability
With outsourcing, you can easily adjust your team of RPG programmers as per your needs. As your business grows or faces new challenges, you won’t be constrained by a fixed team size, like you would with an in-house team.
You can scale your team up or down based on the project demands, ensuring flexibility, without compromising the quality.
Cutting-Edge Solutions
The world of RPG programming is constantly evolving. Outsourcing partners stay updated with the latest methods and tools, ensuring your solutions are modern and ready for the future.
By collaborating with experts immersed in the field, you benefit from their continuous learning and exposure to the latest industry trends.
These IBM i technology partners invest in training and research to remain at the forefront, which means your project stays ahead of the curve and benefits from the most advanced techniques available.
Focus on Core Competencies
By outsourcing RPG development, your in-house team can concentrate on the primary business operations.
It frees up your internal resources, allowing them to focus on areas where they excel: Areas like strategy formulation, marketing, customer relations, or other core functions.
Risk Reduction
Outsourcing companies often have backup and disaster recovery plans and robust safety measures in place. These firms are equipped to handle unforeseen challenges, be it technical glitches, talent shortages, or changes in project scope.
Their problem-solving experience equips them with strategies to mitigate risks effectively. Moreover, they are equipped with a diverse team of RPG developers , ensuring that if one RPG programmer encounters an obstacle, another can step in to ensure continuity.
Global Talent Pool
IT Staff augmentation lets you work with the best RPG developers from around the world. By tapping into a worldwide network of professionals, you gain access to diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences that may not be available in your local talent pool.
It also brings you unique problem-solving approaches, methodologies, and innovations that can enrich your projects.
But beware! Not all AS400 RPG development companies are created equal.
You must be strategic in looking for a reliable technology partner who prioritizes your success.
Don’t fret!
We’ve done the leg work for you.
We bring you USA’s leading IT staff augmentation agency – Integrative Systems
Next up – let’s explore why Integrative Systems is your best choice when hiring AS400 RPG developers.
Integrative Systems: Hire Top RPG Programmers for All of Your IBM i Initiatives
RPG programming is key for your business if you want to create, update, and maintain business applications on IBM computer systems. However, you cannot achieve your desired results without the support of capable RPG developers.
That’s where you can trust Integrative Systems.
Here are the top reasons why we stand out in the crowd.
Expertise in RPG Programming
Our team of RPG programmers is adept at handling the nuances of iSeries RPG programming. They’re not just coders; they’re solution providers.
With years of hands-on experience, they bring a wealth of knowledge, ensuring precision and excellence in every IBM i project.
Holistic Approach
Whether you need an RPG programmer or an RPG analyst, our team has the versatility to cater to all your needs, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your projects.
The multifaceted expertise ensures that every aspect of your project is meticulously addressed, from inception to completion.
Addressing IT Challenges
We assist businesses, like yours, in navigating IBM i centric challenges, ensuring smooth operations, and aligning IT strategies with broader business goals. Our developers proactive approach ensures that potential challenges are identified and addressed before they escalate.
Maximized ROI
We ensure optimal utilization of your investment, aiming for a positive ROI. We are committed to delivering an unmatched user experience throughout the project.
By leveraging the best tools and methodologies, our developers ensure that every dollar you invest yields tangible results.
Agile Solutions
Encountering an RPG-related challenge? Our developers in-depth knowledge of RPG programming ensures swift and effective resolutions. Plus, our RPG support team is ready 24 x 7 to assist. Our agile methodologies and project management skills ensure that solutions are effective and delivered on time.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Our tailored development approach allows us to provide cost-effective solutions while ensuring premium quality solutions. We believe in delivering value and ensuring that quality is always maintained despite the budget.
End-to-End iSeries AS400 Solutions
We are an IBM Silver Business Partner, who offers comprehensive iSeries AS400 solutions from the initial stages to the final implementation.
With Integrative Systems, you get a one-stop solution for all your AS400/IBM i needs. From consultation, and deployment to support our holistic services ensure the seamless execution of every phase of your project under one roof.
Two Decades of Excellence
Our reputation as the industry’s leading RPG developers is backed by 20+ years of experience and a proven track record. We’ve successfully served tailored RPG solutions to a global clientele across diverse industries.
Customer-centric Approach, Always
We prioritize customer success before ours not simply in words but in action. We are committed to earning your trust and building a partnership focused on growth, collaboration, and mutual success.
Think we are the technology partner you’ve been looking for?
Have a look at our AS400 services and solutions.
- AS400 support
- AS400 modernization
- AS400 cloud migration
- AS400 consulting services
- AS400 automation services
- AS400 application GUI modernization
- Hire AS400 RPG programmer on-demand
Elevate your AS400 RPG application development journey with Integrative Systems. Our expert RPG programmers are here to guide, assist, and serve.
To reach out to us, drop a line at [email protected] and our team will get back to you within 2 business days.
