Why Enterprises Should Hire AS400 Consultants for Cloud-based Modernization

ByElena Mia
AS400 consultant services

For over three decades, IBM’s AS400 integrated servers is actively powering millions of business-critical applications. These servers provide enterprise applications with better security, integrity, and the edge to do more. However, with the changing innovations, there is a gradual reduction in upgrades available to support these reliable servers which are multifaceted and costly to run and maintain. Moreover, by using legacy servers like AS400, enterprises cannot implement application, infrastructure, or system updates, which eventually results in huge technical debt. And, probably these are the main reasons why an organization should consider the modernization of AS400 applications and workloads.

What is AS400 Cloud Modernization?

In a nutshell, AS400 modernization refers to the process of altering and upgrading active AS400 systems, rather than performing complete replacement or working with older versions. Cloud-based AS400 modernization refers to shifting applications, infrastructure, and data center systems hosted on AS400 servers onto Cloud-native platforms.

However, AS400 modernization doesn’t always have to be a simple shifting process like migration. In some scenarios, slight enhancements like security patch installation and server upgrades will be enough. Sometimes, modernization will require rebuilding the AS400 application using IBM’s native programming languages like RPG/COBOL from scratch and changing the scope and specifications in proportion to Cloud platforms.

Hence, it’s highly impossible for every organization’s in-house teams to have the requisite expertise or skills to decide on the right modernization approach. As an alternative, hiring consultants from a reliable AS400 services provider can enable organizations to achieve a frictionless transition.

How AS400 Consultants Perform Seamless Modernization

  • Analyze the Present State of AS400 Servers – Evaluating the actively running legacy AS400 system is an effective starting point for modernization. By conducting a systematic and detailed analysis, experts cover all aspects of the AS400 application’s technical specification, infrastructural environment, third-party API dependencies, security setups, and database management procedures.
  • Find the Complications and Define Objectives – This is a crucial phase when commencing a modernization journey. By considering different facets of the AS400 system, consultants can get a clear picture of existing problems and identify areas for improvement. Consequently, they can formulate a well-planned modernization strategy and define practical goals for the long as well as short duration.
  • Choose a Viable Modernization Approach – When the goals and problems have been determined, it’s time to choose how the AS400 application will be modernized. As stated before, there are several common approaches to modernization varying in cost, complexity, risk, and whole impact. Based on the requirements, goals, and limitations, consultants recommend the right Cloud platform for modernization.
  • Post-modernization Optimization – Even after modernization, the AS400 applications hosted on Cloud must be iteratively tested and augmented in order to make sure there are no problems in the hosting, connectivity, and integration with other services. The continuous enhancement allows AS400 applications to adapt to varying user requirements.

When done correctly, AS400 Cloud modernization can yield a range of advantages for organizations. These benefits include enhanced system performance, higher resource efficiency, robust security measures, and better user experience. Besides, AS400 consultants ensure more cost savings in the long run due to lesser maintenance costs and increased scalability.

Benefits of AS400 Cloud Modernization

  • Greater Compatibility

Cloud modernization enhances the AS400 application’s compatibility with modern platforms, tools, frameworks, and technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, and Big Data. In other terms, AS400 app modernization enables organizations to surpass competitors by launching new functionalities that not only align effectively with their present requirements but also meet future demands. For example, enterprises can use optimized AI services provided by Cloud platforms for implementing Natural Language Processing, predictive analytics, and speech synthesis in their AS400 applications. This, in turn, enables them to manage customer queries more efficiently and automate routine tasks.

  • Robust Security

One of the key reasons behind the increased adoption of IBM iSeries AS400 modernization is data security. Many AS400 users stated that running and managing AS400 systems make enterprise apps vulnerable to potential security threats and data breaches. This is due to the AS400’s lack of modern security configurations and incompatibility with authentication techniques. With Cloud modernization, enterprises can offset security vulnerabilities associated with AS400 applications since it provides advanced DDoS protection, security upgrades, and ADCs (Application Delivery Controllers). Implementing these functionalities ensure that critical application data remains protected from malware attacks, data breaches, and security threats.

  • Easy Re-architecting

With AS400 Cloud modernization, enterprises cannot just renovate their older applications by integrating modern features and functionalities but also re-architect and build Cloud-native applications. This offers enterprises the ability to leverage the advantages of public/private Cloud platforms such as greater data security, scalability, agility, and quick go-to-market.

  • Eliminates Technical Debt

AS400-hosted applications pose several challenges to organizations including bugs, lack of scalability, high maintenance costs, and others. When business tends to disregard AS400 application modernization, technical debt starts rising. Modernizing AS400 applications enable enterprises to leverage the potential of the Cloud platform to fulfill ever-changing needs. Moreover, it eliminates the need for up-keeping dedicated data centers or other on-premise setups, since the Cloud platforms offer a pay-as-per-resources model. Therefore, organizations need to pay only for the services they use leading to greater cost savings.

Summing Up

AS400 modernization is an effective approach for businesses using to digitize their processes and meet modern requirements. Through robust upgrading and restructuring approaches, experts can modernize legacy AS400 applications and drive innovation at a rapid pace. From the above advantages, it is obvious that implementing AS400 modernization will unlock many new potentials for enterprises.