Let’s face it, AS400 is a classic.
- 3 reasons you love AS 400 are – its reliability, robustness, and scalability.
- 3 things you miss in AS/400 are – a user-friendly interface, modern integration capabilities, and new-age security.
These factors perhaps have influenced your choice to remain loyal to the system, despite the limitations widely stressed by modern business demands.
With over 60,000 businesses still using AS400 worldwide, this system is a technological powerhouse. However, a fraction of users are actively considering the option of migrating off AS 400.
Are you one of the few?
There are some benefits to why you think AS400 migration is the only way out.
What benefits are we discussing? – you ask.
- Access to the latest technologies
- New-age security and compliance
- Greater performance and scalability
- A chance to futureproof your technology etc.
It’s not tough to see why you’d have that thought. There are many resources out there by AS400 migration experts hyping up the IBM iSeries migration.
What none of them do is – show you how to achieve the best of AS 400 in 2024 while staying within the boundaries of your AS/400 system.
So, we’d love to break this to you – Without undergoing a risky and time-consuming AS400 Cloud Migration process, you can still extend the life and value of legacy applications while making a room for better system performance, team productivity, agility, and greater security – without demanding a major diversion of finances.
How is it possible?
In this blog, we answer your question in 2 folds:
- What are the challenges that make AS400 cloud migration difficult?
- How can you tap into your investment without migrating off AS400?
Shall we get started? Let’s Go!
Pitfalls that Make AS400 Cloud Migration Difficult
An investment in IBM iSeries migration must be well thought out.
You can’t make that decision overnight just because you are faced with a couple of challenges.
It’s important to understand the roses and thorns of iSeries cloud migration.
As you’re well-versed with roses, let’s dive into the thorns of IBM iSeries migration.
Challenge #1 AS400 migration to the cloud is tricky…
Transitioning from legacy on-premises AS400 systems may seem like an effortless task. But not for businesses that overlook the intricacies involved in such a move.
The answer to successful IBM iSeries migration to the cloud lies in the process. In the absence of a well-thought-out strategy, you’re only shooting in the dark.
This process becomes tricky when you encounter unprecedented challenges such as –
- Complex file layouts
- Inconsistent use of fields in current applications
- Incompatibility of old data files with the cloud layouts
- High dependency on outdated hardware and software versions
- Different regulatory compliance requirements of cloud and on-premises environments
- A never-ending list of must-haves in the cloud version
Challenge #2 iSeries cloud migration takes longer than expected…
Some studies showcase that AS 400 users who opt for IBM iSeries Cloud
retain their AS400 systems for more than 7 years.
Why?
Because the process may take longer than usual when:
- The new solution calls for more training
- There is resistance to change from end-users
- The new AS400 solutions don’t satisfy the purpose of the migration
- There are unexpected compatibility issues with existing systems and workflows.
- There is unexpected cost of AS400 application support and maintenance
- The AS400 solution lacks the essentials or capabilities required for its successful migration.
These factors can prolong the migration duration by months and even years.
Challenge #3 Poor decision-making due to lack of technological understanding…
Non-technical leaders are usually unaware of the technical complexities or may underestimate the gravity of project outcomes. They might think it’s all about strategy but that’s not always the case.
Successful AS400 cloud migration also depends on understanding the nitty-gritty of technical complexities and implementation nuances.
Unaware decision-makers may struggle with –
- Understanding and translating technical jargon
- Understanding and communicating technical requirements
- Adjusting technical requirements with budgetary constraints
- Managing stakeholder expectations regarding technical project outcomes
- Staying in touch with emerging technology trends and their implementation for business strategy
If your migration project is led by technical leaders, there’s nothing like it.
But in their absence, AS400 migration to the cloud becomes even more difficult.
Challenge #4 Gone are the original AS400 application experts…
Another popular challenge is the lack of original AS/400 application experts who played an active role in developing and maintaining the AS400 systems.
Although the remaining staff may be experts in their own right, they often lack firsthand knowledge of your AS-400 system.
This poses a serious challenge in AS400 migration to the cloud.
The new staff may –
- Commit irreversible mistakes
- Misinterpret legacy AS400 system’s functionalities
- Struggle to maintain documentation and historical knowledge of AS 400 configurations.
- Encounter challenges in maintaining AS/400 system reliability in cloud deployments
- Have limited capabilities to implement or innovate new features in the cloud environment.
- Struggle to attain the desired migration outcome
These are just a few from the lot.
Transitioning from AS400 to the cloud may be a strategic move, but it comes with a mountain of challenges.
It’s not just another switch button, it’s a painful journey that can overwhelm your organization.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The real struggle begins post-AS400 cloud migration.
Imagine climbing another mountain, and this time you’re grappled with an unknown terrain –
- The learning curve is bottomless.
- Addressing the cloud challenges is like finding a needle in a haystack.
- There is a promise of cost efficiency, but reality often tells otherwise.
- It calls for constant performance optimization to maintain the same level of performance.
- And let’s not forget the need to update and patch the system to secure against new vulnerabilities.
And even with the decision to exit the AS400 systems and embrace the cloud platform, powered with end-to-end planning, you will probably stick to your IBM iSeries longer – way longer than you imagine.
Now think again – “Is migrating AS/400 worth these hurdles?”
Or would it be wiser to invest in modernizing your current AS400 systems, integrating with new technologies, and leveraging professional AS/400 consulting and support services to optimize the existing setup without the chaos of AS-400 migration?
The decision is yours to make.
But remember – The IBM iSeries migration is not the only path to garner peak performance off your AS400 applications and improve the security stature.
Well-versed with the pluses and minuses of cloud migration, have you made up your mind to migrate AS400? If so, your transition to the cloud need not be a bumpy ride.
Being an IBM Silver Business Partner, we can still help you with the migration process, with confidence and ease.
However, if you’re considering alternatives to iSeries migration, the next part is dedicated to you.
Next up, let’s discover how you can maximize AS/400 investments without the headaches of AS400 cloud migration.
How Can We Help You Maximize Your Investment Without Migrating Off AS400?
There are a handful of ways to optimize your AS-400 ecosystem without undergoing a complete migration to the cloud.
Let’s look at them one by one:
AS400 Modernization Services
AS400 modernization involves transforming the existing AS/400 system to revamp the legacy user interface, enhance integration capabilities, improve its functionalities, and overall efficiency.
As against moving the AS400 systems to another platform or cloud environment, IBM i modernization lets you improve, integrate, and build what you already have with the existing AS400 setup.
Plus, regular updates ensure that your system is compatible with the emerging technological trends.
So, by taking the modernization approach, you’re not just committing to upgrade your iSeries applications, you are claiming –
- 14% hike in the annual ROI
- Up to 25% savings on infrastructure cost
- 40-50% reduction in support and operational expenses
AS400 Consulting Services
AS/400 consulting service involves AS400 consultants who provide advice, specialized expertise, and training or additional abilities to address your AS400 specific challenges.
Instead of diving straight into the iSeries cloud migration, consider the transformative path of AS/400 consulting.
Picture this: Expert AS400 professionals standing by your side, to optimize your current environment, helping you unlock the 360-degree potential of your existing AS/400 applications without the headaches of migration.
Like the age-old saying in the coding community – “If it’s working, don’t touch it!”
These experts won’t disturb what’s already working. They help you take a leap forward leveraging the robust foundation of your existing AS400 setup.
AS400 Automation Services
Considering AS400 cloud migration to automate tedious tasks?
Luckily for you, there exist AS400 automation services – a simpler, more cost-effective route.
AS/400 automation refers to the process of automating humdrum, time-consuming processes to reduce manual intervention and errors to improve focus on strategic initiatives.
“What IBM i processes can I automate?” you ask.
With automation services, you can automate a variety of AS 400 processes namely –
- Batch job scheduling
- Regulatory compliance processes
- File and data transfers from and to iSeries
- Application maintenance, safekeeping, and data backups
- Generating and sharing daily, weekly, or monthly reports, and much more.
Automating tedious tasks and processes is a more efficient approach than migrating your entire AS400 systems to the cloud.
It’s also easier and more cost-efficient than you can imagine.
AS400 Integration Services
AS/400 is great but not self-sufficient enough to meet modern-day business needs.
And that’s where AS-400 integration comes into the picture.
AS400 integration is a process of connecting AS/400 systems with other business technologies, hardware, and software systems to streamline operations and multiply efficiency.
Instead of taking the route of a complete system overhaul, the iSeries integration approach empowers you to –
- Maintain familiarity with AS-400 system
- Preserve current IBM iSeries investments
- Achieve more with less operational disruption
- Gain better cost-efficiency than with complete migration
In short, the integration approach reaps benefits – financially, operationally, and strategically.
AS400 Application GUI Modernization Services
Did you hear AS-4OO and instantly thought of age-old green screens?
Green screens, indeed, offer outdated functionality, inconvenient UI, and other negative factors common to legacy systems.
But AS/400 migration to the cloud is a far-fetched solution to let the green screens go.
Thanks to GUI modernization, you can create an aesthetic and intuitive user interface for your team of AS/400 users.
AS400 Application GUI Modernization alone can help you achieve –
- 10x productivity
- 15% hike in the annual revenue
- About 50% reduction in operational and maintenance expenses
- Up to 10% improvement in AS-400 operational efficiency
- And significant cost-savings in the long term
AS400 Maintenance and Support Services
Have you wondered if AS400 cloud migration aligns with your support service needs?
Honestly, migration doesn’t necessarily improve your support capabilities but rather increases technical debt.
Don’t fret!
There are dedicated AS400 support and maintenance services to meet your unique needs.
Those are –
- AS400 application support for operational excellence
- AS400 technical support for maintaining the health and functionality of the system
- AS400 production support for maximum uptime and a healthy production ecosystem
You can choose AS400 support services tailored to suit your needs — from installation, troubleshooting, performance optimization, and upgrades, to maintenance — without migrating your entire AS400 systems to the cloud.
If you’ve read this far, we’re confident you are sold on the idea of not migrating off AS400.
Still wish to decline?
No worries! We can very well help you out migrate off AS400.
AS400 Migration Services
AS/400 migration is a promising approach to make your lives easier and empower your business users to achieve more in less time.
It refers to the process of strategically moving legacy applications, data, and workloads from the IBM AS400 server to the cloud to breathe new life into your IT infrastructure.
It makes an ideal choice for businesses that want to completely modernize their IT setup and want to access all the modern features.
This move helps you scale effortlessly, adapt to new challenges, and stay ahead in the game.
Pro tip: Leverage hybrid cloud solutions during your AS/400 migration process and gradually migrate workloads. This approach allows for a controlled migration with minimal disruption.
Now, appreciating the AS400 services is one side of the coin. The other side is knowing whom to call to maximize their impact.
Fortunately for you, we know a technology partner. Or rather IBM-acknowledged AS400 experts ready to maximize your AS/400 investments without the need to migrate off the system.
Integrative Systems – AS400 Technology Partner of Your Choice
We, at Integrative Systems, understand the AS 400 technology like the back of our hands.
Whether you decide to stay on AS/400 or migrate to another platform, leverage our 20+ years of expertise and experience for consulting, integration, modernization, and support services as well as AS400 migrations.
Think we are the match?
Have a look at the range of services offered by us:
- AS400 Integration
- AS400 Cloud Migration
- AS400 Automation Services
- AS400 Application GUI Modernization
- AS400 Support & Maintenance Services
- AS400 Consulting Services
- IBM iSeries Modernization
- Hire iSeries Developers
Drop us a line at [email protected] and our experts will get back to you to make your IBM i AS/400 system work for you and not the other way round!
Frequently asked questions about AS400 and AS400 migration
Can you run an AS400 in the cloud?
Yes, you can run AS/400 applications in the cloud. Your system needs to undergo the AS400 migration process to reap the benefits of the cloud. Alternatively, you can achieve a similar transformation through AS-400 modernization, AS/400 integration, AS-400 consulting, and support services, without necessarily migrating your entire system.
What is the purpose of AS400 system migration?
The purpose of AS400 migration is to move your AS/400 applications, data, and important elements to a newer environment or cloud-based solutions, to meet current business needs and technological standards.
Can AS400 run in Azure?
Yes, you can migrate your AS 400 applications, data, and critical elements to the Azure cloud. With the extensive scalability & flexibility offered by Azure, you get to experience the width for operational efficiency.
