Why iSeries Modernization is an Effective Way to Future-proof Businesses

For decades IBM’s iSeries servers have been the avenue for the public sector and corporates. Enterprises prefer these servers for hosting applications due to their exceptional hyperscaling capabilities and processing of high-volume transactions consistently. Launched in the early 2000s, the iSeries peaked in popularity for a few years. However, in recent times, they’re falling back because of their high maintenance and support costs, non-compliance with modern technologies and IT solutions, and the talent shrinking.

iSeries server’s monolithic architecture doesn’t support today’s integration-driven and agile IT environment. This simply means that large organizations with massive, demanding user bases are forced to constantly implement additional installations and server upgrades when it comes to delivering applications via a traditional green-screen interface. However, businesses looking to attain long-term sustainability with iSeries servers can opt for iSeries modernization.

Understanding iSeries Modernization

There is a common misconception among organizations that iSeries migration and modernization are the same. However, it’s not true! iSeries migration happens when the company decides to stop using its architecture and begin to utilize Cloud solutions instead. All apps, workloads, and information on their iSeries sever have to be shifted in a way that is compatible with modern Cloud-based platforms.

Whereas, iSeries modernization doesn't always have to be a comprehensive shifting process. Sometimes, slight enhancements to hardware and installing security patches will be enough. In some scenarios, modernization will require creating new applications. Overall, iSeries modernization refers to the process of upgrading and adapting existing iSeries systems, instead of extensive replacement or working with outdated iSeries applications.

Enterprises can hire experts with rich expertise in iSeries modernization. These experts can start their modernization journey by strategically analyzing what's working well currently, enhancing the server’s abilities, and adding new functionalities.

Benefits of iSeries Modernization

• Improved Speed & Efficiency

One effective way to boost efficiency and speed is to tap into the power of innovative technology. With Cloud-based modernization, iSeries users can make use of Cloud-native development platforms and build robust applications from scratch. Taking advantage of native platforms significantly lessens the time to market the application and adapt to ever-changing user requirements. A strategic approach to embracing Cloud infrastructure while retaining iSeries systems can enhance the efficiency of applications as well.

• Drive Business Agility

It is well-known that agility is the main prerequisite of modern enterprises. Businesses may be called upon to increase the application’s scalability or processing speed virtually overnight. Running enterprise applications in a legacy IBM iSeries server also means frequently undergoing technology bottlenecks. For instance, enterprises might be repetitively caught in an unexpected downturn while being contractually forced to pay for idle computing resources—costing greater during a period of lessened revenue.

However, with Cloud-based iSeries modernization, enterprises no longer need to perform resource-intensive upgrades and overcome system-wide slowdowns and impacts. The modular architecture of the Cloud enables business users to adopt agile development, perform minor deployments, and resolve iSeries scalability issues quickly. Overall, iSeries modernization accelerates the application’s time-to-market and innovation.

• Enhanced Security

As said before, iSeries servers act as the backbone of several businesses. It’s obvious that security is a crucial aspect of enterprise server systems. Unfortunately, legacy iSeries systems often put the enterprise’s data at risk due to outmoded security functionalities. Hence, by running enterprise applications on iSeries servers, the chances of security breaches become higher and impact business performance. Experts from the right IBM application modernization company help enterprises enhance security by upgrading iSeries systems as per the latest security standards and practices. In addition, by using the latest monitoring tools, experts can manage both iSeries and Cloud infrastructure with ease. This way, experts ensure that sensitive app data is protected and minimize the possibility of security breaches.

• Cost Saving

IBM iSeries users are charged through MLC (Monthly License Charge) and a multitude of metrics. This option makes it highly complicated, even leading enterprises are often at a loss as to how to handle their ever-rising license costs. Some other disadvantages of this pricing model include the inability to increase application capacity, pay for key functionalities, and experience a higher cost for incremental growth.

In contrast, with iSeries modernization to the Cloud, enterprises can substantially cut down on license, operating, and capital expenditure costs. Since Cloud service providers deliver a “pay-as-you-go” pricing model, enterprises simply need to pay only for essential resources consumed. This not only aids enterprises eliminate the substantial upfront software and hardware costs associated with maintaining their servers, but also saves them from investing in resources they’re not essentially using.

• Easy Codebase Rewriting

Rewriting the iSeries codebase based on RPG can be easily achieved by modernizing iSeries systems through Cloud computing platforms. At present, RPG scripts work effectively with XML, Java, and JSON to provide the huge data processing mode that enterprise applications require. RPG-based iSeries applications can also be integrated with multiplatform DevOps infrastructure. 

Although considered by many a traditional programming language, the utilization of RPG code among enterprises actually increases. By adopting Cloud-based modernization, iSeries users can restructure codebases and increase the application’s processing speed efficiently.

Summing Up

All in all, enterprises looking to restructure their iSeries operations at large should associate with a reliable application modernization service provider. Through time-tested upgrading and hauling methods, experts can modernize legacy iSeries applications and drive innovation in lesser duration. From the above benefits, it is obvious that the performing iSeries modernization platforms will unlock many opportunities for organizations.