AS/400, now known as IBM i, remains a vital platform in today’s enterprise IT landscape, trusted by medium to large-scale organizations for its security, stability, and consistent performance. It continues to streamline complex business workflows while supporting mission-critical applications across industries.
According to the IBM i Marketplace Survey, nearly 96% of respondents prefer IBM i servers due to their higher return on investment (ROI) compared to other operating systems, reinforcing its long-term reliability. With its tightly integrated architecture, IBM i reduces operational complexity and system administration efforts.
As businesses prioritize modernization over replacement, IBM i (AS/400) continues to evolve as a resilient, future-ready platform.
The Future of AS/400 in the Upcoming Years
In the upcoming years, there will be a huge demand for the AS/400 system in development. It has features, like security, stability, and reliability. These are some key aspects that will make AS/400 relevant in the future:
- According to the IBM i Marketplace Survey, 59% of respondents plan to upgrade their systems, highlighting the benefits of modernization and updates.
- While IBM i boasts a legendary 35-year legacy of reliability, its future is defined by constant evolution. According to IDC, the platform’s longevity is fuelled by a strategy of continuous modernization—aligning its core capabilities with shifting enterprise demands to ensure it remains a cornerstone of the modern tech stack.
- AS/400 platforms integrated with cloud and hybrid environments now support mission-critical business operations, enabling organizations to modernize without disrupting existing workflows.
- IBM i supports integration with modern digital services through APIs, middleware, and web services, allowing businesses to connect legacy applications with modern software ecosystems.
- The growing demand for skilled professionals is evident, with LinkedIn listing over 100 open AS/400 and IBM i roles in India, reflecting the platform’s continued relevance in the enterprise job market.
Rather than being phased out, IBM i is increasingly positioned as a stable foundation for digital transformation initiatives, especially for organizations that rely on high-volume transactional processing.
Looking for expert assistance with IBM i applications? Saamsha Technologies provides end-to-end IBM i consulting and modernization services to help businesses scale securely and efficiently.
What are the Advantages of IBM i(AS/400)?
The advantages AS/400 provides are from cloud integration to scalability, helping to streamline your business and increase productivity. It ensures reliability and scalability, which is why users planning to increase their IBM i footprint rose from 12% to 20%. The advantages are:
- Reliability: IBM i processors are 3-5 times more capable than their available competitors. Therefore, this system is ideal for very high-performance applications, like ERP, WPM, and POS systems.
- Operating System: You do not need to install the Operating System(OS) in IBM i externally. It already has the programming data installed in its core OS.
- Compatibility: You can easily run your applications on the previous versions of AS/400, as it is completely backwards compatible. No matter the version, without reinstalling the applications, they will run perfectly.
- Easy Maintenance: AS/400 provides easy maintenance features, as its integrated tools automatically schedule maintenance and identify problems in the system.
- Stability: IBM i(AS/400) can run for months and even years without any administrative engagement.
- Connected Architecture: IBM i operates as a single system that connects all the internal components together, like the OS, database, and hardware. Therefore, it works as a unified system, reducing complexity and enhancing performance.
- Cloud Connectivity: AS/400 connects the top cloud service providers, such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services(AWS). Therefore, it provides hybrid cloud benefits and flexibility.
How Does Saamsha Technologies Help Your Business Grow with AS/400?
You can unlock the full power of AS 400 with Saamsha Technologies, achieving a remarkable business growth. This includes IBM i modernization to DevOps in IBM AS/400. These are the services you will get from Saamsha Technologies:
- IBM i(AS/400) Modernization: You will get consultation on how to utilize the power of technology to transform your business with advanced system integration and cloud architecture.
- DB2 Upgradation: Provides the service of DB2 upgradation from the earlier version to the latest version, maximizing query performance. This helps streamlining data transmission through DB2 and increasing database transparency.
- RPG Modernization: Saamsha Technologies helps you update reliable RPG applications by enabling modular design and refactoring code to make them compatible with the latest user interface and integration standards.
- UI Upgradation: Assists you with updating the UI of AS/400 system applications, making them standard for modern expectations without modifying the core business logic.
- API Enablement: Allows the latest services and applications communicate with IBM i applications, making them capable of sending data and integrating with other systems.
- DevOps: Enables DevOps operations on the IBM iSeries environment to speed up the application deployment process. Additionally, helps you with release automation and minimizes operational risks.
Final Words
AS/400 (IBM i) is still a stable, secure, and scalable platform that businesses can count on in the future. It is a strong base for business growth because it is backwards compatible, has an integrated architecture, and is reliable over the long term.
There are problems with things like testing automation and finding skilled workers, but these problems can be solved with modernisation and expert-led transformation projects.
Saamsha Technologies stands out as a trusted partner for IBM i (AS/400) solutions, offering services ranging from DB2 upgrades and RPG modernization to API enablement and DevOps integration. With the right strategy and expertise, IBM i can remain a powerful driver of business success well into the future.
