IBM i/AS400 Systems in the Future: Why Will They Still Be Relevant?

Introduction

Since the 1960s, IBM has transformed business operations significantly with its range of midrange systems. Over the last 50+ years, the IBM i history highlights the platform’s evolution, aligning with and meeting the demands of the modern business market. As per the 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey Results, 96% of the respondents stated that this platform still delivers greater ROI compared to any other servers. So, does IBM have a bright future ahead? Continue reading this article to know about the rising technologies that would shape the future of IBM i, their relevancy in the upcoming years, and ways to ensure your systems are future-ready.

Top Trends Shaping the Future of IBM i/AS 400 Systems

The IBM i community has predicted a lot of technologies and upgrades to happen in the upcoming years, driving advancements and innovation on the way. Let’s check them out.

AI and Automation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been making a steady rise in the world of Information Technology (IT) and has already started creating an impact in the IBM i world. Here’s what you can expect AI to do for IBM i and its professionals:

• Improve developer experience and productivity: Businesses will focus on leveraging AI to enhance developer experience and productivity. Equipping RPG developers with AI tools for programming assistance, testing, system monitoring, and documentation tasks will be one of the primary goals of 2025 for driving better productivity, job satisfaction, and innovation.
• Streamline coding processes: As of recent updates, IBM is actively developing an “IBM i RPG Code Assistant” which is essentially an AI-powered code assistance feature designed for the IBM i platform. It will primarily focus on the RPG programming language that will help developers understand and create new RPG functions using natural language prompts.
• Automate critical business tasks: Moving past automating routine tasks and implementing Machine Learning (ML) models in applications for insight extraction and operational optimization, in 2025, businesses will use AI not for mere experimentation but for conducting mission-critical operations. These will include customer data analysis, predictive maintenance, supply chain enhancement, and more.
• Integrate GenAI and LLMs: Businesses will incorporate Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and Language Learning Models (LLMs) with their RPG software and applications.
• Empower IBM i solutions: Driven by modern market demands, IBM i solutions like application development, enterprise software solutions, and security enforcement will be powered by AI in 2025 and the upcoming years.
• Modularize architectures: One may expect to see extensive use cases of AI-powered tools that can convert RPG code into microservices.
• Simplify business logic: 2025 will give rise to AI code explanation tools that will help new developers comprehend and preserve critical IBM applications’ business logic.

Cloud Transformation

In 2025, IBM i will become more cloud-ready with initiatives like Merlin as a Service on IBM Public Cloud, offering a modern web-based development experience with built-in DevOps tools and CI/CD automation. Partnerships with Kyndryl/Skytap and R2i will further enhance hybrid hosting options. As cloud adoption grows, more small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) will turn to IBM i cloud hosting for its cost savings and scalability, making virtualization an increasingly attractive alternative to on-premise servers.

Cybersecurity-centric strategies

Alongside technological advancements, the threat landscape is expanding at a significant pace. In 2025, it is anticipated to see more internally driven efforts to centralize IBM i security. The importance of including IBM i security events will be highlighted and educated to effectively combat cybersecurity threats.

DevOps

To pave the path for modernized development, IBM-relying businesses will have to adopt DevOps methodology and tools. RPG and COBOL development projects can be seen integrated with Git, VS Code, and other DevOps tools for unifying digital transformation efforts across all platforms. Some of the benefits that you can expect by integrating DevOps with IBM i projects include:

• Faster development and deployment: Automating CI/CD pipelines helps reduce development time and accelerates deployment. This optimization allows businesses to bring applications to market more quickly.
• Improved collaboration: DevOps fosters better communication between development, operations, and QA teams, leading to a more efficient and cohesive workflow.
• Higher code quality: Automated testing and continuous integration ensure that code is reliable, stable, and free of critical defects before deployment.
• Version control and traceability: Implementing version control systems enables teams to track changes, maintain historical records, and easily roll back to previous versions when needed.
• Increased automation: By automating repetitive tasks such as builds, deployments, and testing, DevOps minimizes human error and improves overall efficiency.
• Scalability and flexibility: DevOps allows IBM i systems to integrate with modern development tools like Git, Jenkins, and Ansible. This integration facility provides a more flexible and scalable development environment.
• Enhanced security: Security practices are embedded into the development lifecycle, ensuring secure coding standards and adherence to industry regulations.
• Better resource utilization: DevOps optimizes system performance and infrastructure usage, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.
• Continuous monitoring and feedback: Real-time monitoring and feedback loops help teams proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact users.
• Hybrid and cloud integration support: DevOps facilitates seamless integration between IBM i environments and modern cloud platforms, enabling greater innovation and adaptability.

If you want to learn more about how to implement DevOps for your IBM i projects, join our webinar to explore the best practices, tools, and strategies to streamline your development process.

IBM i Army Formation

With a major percentage of RPG developers turning 80 by 2030, businesses are facing a significant shortage of skills to attend to their IBM i systems. 2025 will be a year of building talent pools comprising newly cultivated IBM i professionals. Here’s what to expect.

• Training talents with new initiatives: In 2025, training programs will aim to create a workforce capable of maintaining IBM i’s reliability as well as adapting and expanding its functionalities. These programs will impart knowledge on legacy technical skills like CL, COBOL, and RPG alongside modern tools and methodologies. Additionally, they will promote real-time collaboration between experienced professionals and new developers.
• Upcoming opportunities: New developers familiar with .NET, C#, PHP, Python, and basic RPG skills will be in high demand in 2025.

Modernization

With continued efforts to keep IBM i aligned with the upcoming technological advancements, modernization will take center stage in 2025. You can expect to see:

Modernizing ERPs effectively:

In 2025, IBM i ERPs can witness:

• New modernization approaches: A shift in focus from UI and database upgrades to deeper AI integration in ERP systems, automating more business processes beyond chatbots and document generation.
• Relocation bases changes: Manufacturing and supply chain firms, key IBM i users, may need software changes as they relocate production from China, impacting IT priorities.
• Transition from on-premise to managed services: With Power11 servers arriving late in the year, many businesses might reconsider on-premises infrastructure and move to managed services.
• Change in software acquisitions: To maintain investor confidence, IBM may pursue high-profile software acquisitions.

However, global events and unforeseen factors could reshape these predictions.

Shifting to modern technology:

As seasoned COBOL and RPG professionals proceed towards retirement; businesses are presented with an opportunity to modernize their software solutions. Embracing widely-used languages and tools, such as Code for IBM i, can help attract new developers and invigorate their teams with fresh talent and innovative ideas.

Operating System, Processor, and Server Upgrades

IBM is going to launch POWER11 systems at the end of this year. The major upgrades that we can witness include:

• Enhanced database file synchronization: DB2 Mirror will be upgraded to provide advanced data replication technology. It will have the capability to migrate workloads into a cloud environment while it’s running, lowering downtime during migration.
• Optimized performance: These systems will have enhanced processors, stack levels, and systems that can optimize performance by 25%.
• Unified data strategies: POWER11 systems will integrate with hybrid environments. With strategic plans, businesses can expect to enable critical data access, ensure governance, increase flexibility, and reduce operational costs.
• Support for smart projects: These systems will have the capability to support existing as well as projects involving intelligent technologies like AI.

Will IBM iSeries/AS400 Systems still be Relevant in the Future?

Of course, they will be relevant if you want them to be. IBM iSeries/AS 400 systems have come a long way, providing better enhancements, functionality, reliability, and stability with each upgrade. The importance of modernizing this platform with time is highlighted below.

• This trusted platform has been enhancing business operations for 50 years. It will continue to support goals if kept updated, according to IDC’s whitepaper on IBM i’s role in digital strategies.
• IBM i boasts exceptional backward compatibility. However, relying on outdated software and hardware isn’t a smart strategy for success in today’s competitive landscape. The 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey shows that 59% of respondents plan to update their systems in 2025, highlighting the advantages of modernization and upgrades.

Modernizing and upgrading your IBM iSeries or AS/400 systems can feel daunting, but consider the time, money, and energy you’ve already invested and the ROI you’ve achieved. To simplify the process, we’ve created a handbook outlining a step-by-step approach to modernization, its benefits, potential challenges, and more. Rest assured, IBM i systems have a promising future, offering opportunities to maximize your investments.

Parting Thoughts

IBM i holds great potential to transform how businesses operate today. In the upcoming years, it will open a gateway to new possibilities that will help you not only anticipate opportunities and disruptions but also take timely actions to unlock and address them. The exceptional capabilities of IBM i when strategically integrated with modern technologies like AI, analytics, BI, cloud computing, and others can drive results that may seem to come straight out of a sci-fi movie. Till then, we plan, innovate, and await as IBM i gradually unveils its shape for the future.

What are your thoughts on the future of IBM i? How will modern technologies impact it? Where will it lead businesses in the upcoming years? Let us know what you think! We are eager to hear your expectations and predictions.