This section will allow an understanding of operational efficiency and streamline business processes with our ERP support. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are essential software solutions for managing a company’s data and streamlining operations across various departments. Programmers.io offers top-tier ERP solutions to enhance your business efficiency and productivity.

We specialize in implementing advanced solutions like Infor LX (BPCS), Infor XA (MAPICS), JDE, Blue Yonder, JDA MMS, S2K, etc. designed to seamlessly manage complex manufacturing, supply chain, and financial operations. We assist in transforming your business with integrated ERP solutions tailored to your needs and challenges. Here is why you should choose Infor LX and Infor XA

• Comprehensive Solutions: Infor LX (formerly BPCS) and Infor XA (formerly MAPICS) are industry-leading ERP systems on the market.
• Versatile Manufacturing Methodologies: These systems support a wide range of manufacturing processes, including made-to-stock, made-to-order, configure-to-order, assemble-to-order, batch, repetitive, flow, and Lean manufacturing.
• Robust Capabilities: Infor LX/XA excels in managing complex manufacturing, supply chain, and financial operations, providing a holistic approach to your business needs.

Partner with Programmers.io to implement Infor LX or Infor XA and transform your business operations with powerful, integrated ERP solutions.

Accomplishments

• Implemented top-tier ERP solutions, enhancing business efficiency and productivity.
• Delivered Infor LX and Infor XA, supporting versatile manufacturing methodologies and robust operations management.
• Managed extensive data migrations and ensured proper ERP configuration for seamless data integration.
• Developed strategies to address resistance, educating team members on ERP benefits.
• Planned for ongoing maintenance, securing long-term vendor support for sustained ERP performance.

Approach

• Exit Points: Numerous programs feature exit points, accessible from the menu, facilitating the overview and management of existing exit points and associated programs.
• User-Defined Files/Fields: This functionality permits access to additional master file fields sans necessitating database modifications or alterations to maintenance programs, accessible through the menu for viewing and managing user-defined files.

Key Challenges

• Performance and Productivity Impact: Many organizations struggle with excessive data loads, often managed by spreadsheets, despite having sophisticated data migration tools.
• Time Constraints in Large-Scale Data Migration: Managing extensive data sets requires considerable time, even with automation tools, leading to slow and iterative processes during large-scale projects.
• Configuration Issues in Existing Data Infrastructure: Proper configuration of the ERP system significantly affects its operational efficiency in the backend.
• Data Structure Discrepancies: Data transformation is often necessary for integration with Infor systems, requiring extensive preparatory groundwork during migration, especially from legacy or third-party systems.
• Identifying Integration Requirements: Determining which processes and systems need ERP integration can be challenging, particularly for companies with numerous divisions.
• Lack of Flexibility: Inflexible ERP systems may require organizational process adjustments, consuming resources and potentially hindering operational fluidity.
• Resistance to Change: Team members may resist ERP implementation due to apprehension or a lack of understanding of its benefits.
• Maintenance Costs: While initial ERP costs might seem economical, ongoing maintenance expenses are crucial for ensuring long-term vendor support and cost-effective implementation.

Suggestions

• Performance and Productivity Solutions: Implement robust data management tools and practices to handle large data loads efficiently, reducing reliance on spreadsheets.
• Efficient Data Migration: Utilize advanced automation tools and plan meticulously to manage extensive data sets, ensuring timely and efficient data migration processes.
• Proper ERP Configuration: Ensure accurate configuration of the ERP system to enhance backend operational efficiency.
• Data Transformation Preparation: Conduct thorough preparatory groundwork for data transformation to facilitate seamless integration with Infor systems.
• Clear Integration Planning: Identify and prioritize integration requirements to improve workflow efficiency and data management across divisions.
• Flexible ERP Solutions: Select tailored ERP software solutions that align with organizational processes, minimizing resource consumption and operational disruption.
• Change Management Strategies: Develop and implement strategies to address resistance, focusing on educating team members about the benefits of ERP implementation.
• Cost-Effective Maintenance: Plan for ongoing maintenance expenses and secure long-term vendor support to ensure a cost-effective ERP implementation.

Industry Use Cases:

In this section, Programmers.io covers the critical role of Web Services and APIs in modern development practices and modular development architectures. It highlights the significant enhancements IBM has introduced to consume and expose Web Services natively on IBM i while immensely improving its capabilities.

Web Services or Web APIs are an integral part of modern development practices to use Web Services/APIs. Several modular development architectures have been based on it. IBM has made significant developments towards enhancing the time efficiency and backend processing of these native HTTP utilities. At Programmers.io, we specialize in integrating these advanced features, ensuring your IBM i system is fully equipped for modern development.

Accomplishments

• Integrated the Payment provider with the Trucking application.
• Integrated the Human Resource application data from the cloud to IBMi. It made sure any changes were instantly available to the HR department.
• Integrated the Google address verification API.
• Created a dynamic framework using native IBM i HTTP functions and control tables which is integrated into the client’s ERP modules. It is widely used across modules for transport management systems (3G TMS) and sales/return authorizations.

Approach

Several approaches can be employed for web services and IBM i, each offering distinct advantages and considerations.

1. Consume/Integrate the External Web Services/API’s

   IBM i/AS400 applications connect to any service provided by third parties. Examples are Google Address Verification, Currency Conversion, Payment Gateway Integration, and Container Live Location services. Listed below are the options for connecting IBM i to third-party services:

   • HTTP Methods are available in QSYS2 and SYSTOOL Schema. It is natively available on IBM i
   • Scott Kelement’s LIBHTTP tool. It is available as open-source which can be used by IBMi developers.
   • Licensed products such as Profound API, Eradani Connect, and RXS Integration from Krangle Tech.
   • Natively IBM i can execute other high-level languages like Java, Python, Node, and PHP as services to connect to third-party services.
2. Expose IBM i native applications as REST Web Services.

   For applications running outside IBM i use existing business rules such as Web Services. It allows the tested logic to be reused outside IBM i. Below are the options that can be used to expose any program/business rule as a Web Service:

   • Use native IWS (Integrated Web Server). It is available on IBM i
   • Use CGI Approach. It is natively available on IBM i.
   • Licensed Products like RXS, Eradani, and others.

Key Challenges

• Integration Complexities: Ensuring seamless integration with various platforms, languages, and applications can be challenging for IBM i systems, which often need to interact with modern web applications and other enterprise systems.
• Efficiency Barriers: Without automated workflows, there is a reliance on manual intervention, which can decrease efficiency and lead to delays in accessing real-time data.
• Scalability Issues: Scaling individual components of system architecture independently can be difficult, limiting the ability of IBM i systems to adjust services based on demand.
• Development Costs: Redundant development efforts can arise from not reusing existing code and services, leading to increased development time and resources.
• Third-Party Integration: Integrating third-party applications and services can be complex and requires extensive development efforts.  
• User Experience Challenges: Inefficient data retrieval and interaction can negatively impact the performance and responsiveness of applications connected to IBM i systems, diminishing the overall user experience.

Suggestions

• Enhanced Integration Capabilities: Utilize web services and APIs to facilitate seamless integration with various platforms, languages, and applications. This interoperability is crucial for extending the functionality of legacy applications without requiring extensive re-coding or migrations.
• Improved Efficiency and Automation: Implement web services to enable automated workflows, reducing the need for manual intervention and increasing efficiency. Use APIs for real-time data access to ensure applications can retrieve and use the most up-to-date information without delay.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Promote a modular approach to system architecture with web services, allowing individual components to be scaled independently, which is particularly beneficial for IBM i systems to adjust services based on demand.
• Cost-Effective Development: Encourage the reuse of existing code and services through APIs to reduce redundant development efforts. Leveraging existing functionalities can save significant development time and resources.
• Third-Party Integration: Facilitate easy integration with third-party applications and services through web services, allowing IBM i systems to leverage external tools and platforms without extensive development efforts.
• Improved User Experience: Enable efficient data retrieval and interaction through web services to enhance the performance and responsiveness of applications connected to IBM i systems, improving the overall user experience.

This section sheds light on data migration, involving systematic transfer of data between systems, formats, or applications. It discusses its role in modernization, consolidation, and compliance, and introduces three main migration approaches: Big Bang, Trickle, and Strategic Hybrid with key challenges and suggestions for selecting the optimal migration strategy. A variety of IT scenarios rely on data migration, including:

• Modernization: Upgrading to newer hardware, software, or cloud-based platforms often involves data migration.
• Consolidation: Merging multiple data sources or applications necessitates data migration for streamlined management.
• Compliance: Adhering to evolving data regulations might require data migration to secure and centralized storage.
• Reporting: Advance reporting needs might require Power BI or similar tools. Data migration extracts data from DB2 and transfers it to reporting tools.

Accomplishments

1. Successfully served a client by employing our data migration project for a hybrid migration approach.
   • Utilized batch processing every 30th day to migrate differential data from DB2 to PostgreSQL.
   • Performed two iterations:
   • In the first iteration, migrated 137 tables with 4 million table rows, completing in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
   • In the second iteration, with the updated 137 tables having around 1.4 million table rows, the migration was completed in 16 minutes.
   • The client performs this hybrid migration after every 30 days.
2. Completed a big bang migration project for one client, seamlessly transferring data from DB2 to SQL Server.
   • Performed SQL big bang migration with 1.8 million table row data.
   • Completed the migration in 25 minutes.
3. Completed a One-Time load and Incremental-load data migration project for one of the clients,
   • Data transferred from DB2 on iSeries to Cloud MySQL
   • Used Scott Klement’s JDBCR4 APIs to transfer the data
   • One-time data load completed for 800 Million records
   • Incremental-Load runs every 15 minutes and transfers new data
   • Daily load consists of 500,000 records

Approach

Several approaches can be employed for data migration, each with its unique advantages and considerations:

• Big Bang Migration: It is a well-planned and executed all-at-one approach that minimizes downtime and disruption, ideal for smaller datasets or less-critical systems.
• Trickle Migration: In this gradual, phased approach, data is migrated in smaller batches, minimizing initial impact but potentially extending the process overall. It is well-suited for large or complex datasets or situations where continuous system availability is paramount.
• Strategic Hybrid Migration: This strategic blend of Big Bang and Trickle methods enables rapid migration of non-critical data while deferring essential components to minimize disruption. It balances speed and risk mitigation effectively.

Key Challenges

Various challenges can arise during data migration projects, which require careful planning and mitigation strategies:

• Downtime and System Disruption: Minimizing downtime and disruptions to ongoing operations is vital. Thorough planning, testing, and contingency plans are necessary to limit impact.
• Data Inconsistency and Errors: Addressing data inconsistencies, ensuring consistency between source and target systems, and validating data accuracy at each stage is crucial for successful migration and maintaining data quality.
• Complexity and Resource Constraints: Data types, formats, and systems can vary during complex or large-scale migrations. Careful planning, resource optimization, and potential reliance on external expertise are essential for navigating these complexities.
• Data Validation and Verification: Rigorously validating data accuracy and consistency before, during, and after migration ensures data integrity and minimizes errors.
• Testing and Rollback Plans: Thorough testing of the migration process in a controlled environment and developing clear rollback plans are crucial for safeguarding data and enabling recovery if necessary.
• Documentation and Training: Creating comprehensive documentation of the migration process and providing training to relevant stakeholders can facilitate successful execution and minimize confusion.
• Data Transformation: As part of data transfer, it also needs to be transformed. The transformation rule should be carefully written.

Suggestions

The best data migration approach depends on numerous factors, including:

• Data volume: Larger datasets might favor trickle or hybrid migrations to minimize downtime.
• Downtime tolerance: Businesses sensitive to downtime might opt for staged or trickle migrations.
• The complexity of data: Complex data structures might require additional effort in transformation and validation, influencing the approach selection.
• Budget and resources: Complex approaches like hybrid migration might require more resources and planning compared to the Big Bang approach. The utility we have developed can perform all three applicable approaches.

Application support typically refers to the services provided to users and businesses to ensure that software applications run smoothly and effectively. It involves a range of activities such as troubleshooting, bug fixing, updates and upgrades, user training, and technical support. Organizations often have dedicated teams or departments for application support to ensure that their software systems operate efficiently and meet user requirements.

Level 1: Basic Support

Responsibilities:

1. First Point of Contact: Users experiencing issues with applications or integrations should contact Level 1 support.
2. Ticket Triage: As soon as a ticket is opened, a call is made, or an email is sent, they assess the urgency and severity of the problem.
3. Basic Troubleshooting: They use predefined scripts or knowledge-based articles to resolve common issues quickly.
4. Documentation: The responsibility of level 1 support is to document all interactions, including the nature of the problem and the steps taken to resolve it.
5. Escalation: When Level 1 support cannot resolve the issue, they escalate it to Level 2 support with comprehensive notes and details.

Skills Required:

• Effective communication skills are essential for interacting with users and gathering information.
• Having a basic understanding of the supported applications and integrations.
• The ability to follow predefined troubleshooting procedures.
• Experience with ticketing systems for logging and tracking issues.

Level 2: Intermediate Support

Responsibilities:

1. In-depth Troubleshooting: Level 2 support is designed to handle more complex issues that cannot be resolved at Level 1. To identify root causes, they perform detailed analysis and investigation.
2. Advanced Configuration: Their responsibilities include assisting users with advanced configurations of applications and integrations, including customization and optimization n.
3. Problem Resolution: In level 2 support, users are provided with detailed instructions or remote assistance to resolve issues efficiently.
4. Knowledge Base Maintenance: The knowledge base is updated and expanded with the latest troubleshooting techniques and solutions based on the issues encountered.
5. Escalation Management: Whenever a problem requires more expertise or involves a systemic issue, Level 2 support escalates it to Level 3 with a comprehensive report outlining their findings.

Skills Required:

• Knowledge of the supported applications and integrations.
• To diagnose complex problems, one must possess analytical and critical thinking skills.
• The ability to work independently and prioritize tasks efficiently.
• Maintain comprehensive records of troubleshooting steps and solutions with strong documentation skills.

Level 3: Expert Support

Responsibilities:

1. Specialized Expertise: The Level 3 support team comprises experts with an in-depth understanding of the applications and integrations. They handle the most challenging and critical issues.
2. Root Cause Analysis: To identify the root cause of reoccurring problems, they conduct root cause analysis.
3. Solution Design: The Level 3 support team designs and implements long-term solutions to address systemic issues, such as software patches, updates, and configuration changes.
4. Vendor Coordination: They work with third-party vendors or development teams to resolve complex technical issues or bugs in applications.
5. Knowledge Transfer: Support teams at Levels 1 and 2 receive training and guidance from Level 3 support, which shares expertise and best practices.

Skills Required:

• An extensive background in application and integration support.
• Technical ability to troubleshoot and debug complex problems.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills for coordinating with external vendors and internal teams.
• Stay up to date with the latest technologies and industry trends relevant to the applications and integrations supported.
• Support at each level plays a valuable role in ensuring the smooth running of applications and integration within an organization. Level 3 support is the ultimate resource for resolving the most complex issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address software-related challenges.
• Assist in Technical Projects.

Industry Use Cases:

Insurance: Ticket resolution service | Modernizing operations system (programmers.io)

Summary

Partnering with Programmers.io for IBM i modernization services transforms legacy systems into efficient, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. With expertise in database, RPGLE, and GUI modernization, we enhance performance and future-proof your IT infrastructure. Our comprehensive approach, including ERP support and seamless data migration, ensures your business stays competitive and innovative. Trust Programmers.io to deliver excellence and drive your business forward.