The AS400 offers the most secure, reliable, and scalable platform for web and mobile business apps. IBM developed it in 1988. The application system was massively popular. IBM had shipped almost half a million AS400 models by 1997. Even today, many companies are using it for high reliability and scalability. They are following IBM i application modernization strategies to meet today’s business requirements. But what is AS400 and how can you master AS400 modernization? We breakdown with our AS400 tutorial to all that you need to know and how to apply.
Why is AS400 Modernization Important?
The AS400 supports several programming languages, including JAVA, COBOL, and RPG. Hence, you get flexibility. With the rise of cloud computing, many experts felt that the IBM power systems wouldn’t last long in the market. But in reality, many organizations and industries still prefer to use the AS400. Thanks to the robust and reliable system architecture.
Data Warehousing
IBM i series AS400 offers multi-gigabytes of RAM and ample hard disk space. As a result, it becomes a great choice for storing huge amounts of data. Big companies that require data mining use it as a central repository.
Web and E-commerce Serving
The IBM AS400 comes with a web server and applications for supporting your e-commerce needs. You can utilize them for a variety of tasks, like order management, order tracking, and warehouse management. Also, offering firewall capabilities, it can efficiently deal with internet serving for a medium-sized company.
Java Application Development
You can use as a development system. Thanks to its relative integrity with Java virtual machines. IBM designed its tools for developing commercial applications with Java.
Corporate Groupware Services
IBM AS400 supports Domino and Notes. Hence, it can provide your business with sophisticated email and project file sharing. Also, it facilitates easy and quick collaboration between team members.
What are the Characteristics of AS400 Systems?
1. Object-Based Kernel
IBM created the AS400 systems using an object-based kernel. As a result, you will get several unique features, like single-level storage. You will not find it in other operating systems. It enables you to enhance the stability and security of your business data.
2. Broad Integrated Component Offerings
The IBM AS400 features several underlying operating system tasks, like:
- Web application servers
- Web services servers (fully integrated file system)
- DB2 for i RDBMS (relational database management system)
In addition, the IBM AS400 system comes with incorporated modules. It utilizes them to perform over 300 tasks ranging from data backup and operation enhancement.
3. More Efficient Apportioning
Server applications, like VMware, Hyper-V, and Xen, have limitations. For instance, their virtualization methods are software-based, rather than firmware-based.
As a result, the assigned features will not be incorporated as closely with your allocated setup. It will lead to performance degradation. To solve this issue, you have to use the AS400 system. It provides you with a firmware-based virtualization solution.
AS400 Systems Security
AS400 application security has three important objectives. They are:
Confidentiality:
- Prevents unauthorized people from revealing key information
- Enables you to protect confidential information by restricting access
Integrity:
- Keeps your data safe from unauthorized alteration
- Ensures the reliability of the information
Availability:
- Keeps your data safe from destruction and accidental changes
- Prevents intruders from destroying system resources
What are Integrated Web Services for IBM AS400 i Series?
Integrated Web service refers to the following technologies of the IBM AS400 i series:
- Integrated Web service server
- integrated Web service client for ILE
The Integrated Web service server helps you to implement objects as web services. On the other hand, ILE’s integrated web service client creates RPG, C, or C++ counterfoils that ILE programs can use. It enables ILE-based applications to function as web service clients.
What are the Advantages of AS400 i-Series Cloud?
AS400 i-series cloud provides all the advantages of cloud hosting on a reliable platform. It leverages several important attributes, including flexibility and scalability. As a result, you can easily create an agile IT environment.
Here are the advantages that the AS400 i-series cloud offers:
- Significantly lowers total operating costs
- Reduces data center overhead
- Enables you to simplify your IT environment
What are the AS400 Application Modernization Strategies?
You can follow the following modernization strategies to modernize the AS400 systems:
- Re-Hosting
- Renew existing application
- Re-Platform/Re-Engineering
- Re-Architecturing/Re-Factoring
Re-Hosting
You can use the re-hosting methodology to migrate the AS400 legacy systems to the new cloud platform. It helps you to reduce costs and scale up business use cases.
In this approach, you can execute AS400 applications on a cloud-based platform. It enables you to effectively modernize the AS400 systems.
You can use an AS400 emulator. It features a set of compiler, OS services, and packages. It allows you to migrate the application programs with source code. You can recompile and execute them on the AWS platform.
Re-New Existing Application
In the re-new methodology, you upgrade the existing version of the programming language, database, and user interface by adopting DevOps. You can modernize the UI by converting 5250 screens into a web interface. It doesn’t require making any changes to the existing application. Also, you can upgrade the RPG and DB2 modules into modernized modular and decoupled components.
You can use LANSA’s aXes tool to convert the AS400/IBM i 5250 screen panel into a modern web user interface. It doesn’t require you to modify the source code. Hence, you can conveniently modernize AS400 applications.
Re-Platform/Re-Engineer-Migrate Batch Jobs
Batch jobs often form a large portion of the As400 application portfolio. It includes ETL data processing, EDI file processing, and ad-hoc report generation.
In the Re-Engineer-Migrate Batch Jobs approach, you send physical files or real-time data stream to the AWS cloud. It enables you to deliver additional data to the customers through reports. As a result, they can conveniently discover key insights.
Read: What Is A Low-Code Platform?
Re-Architecture/Re-Factor
Are you struggling to meet the future business requirements with the existing IBM i/AS400 application? You should consider modernizing apps by using the reengineering or refactoring approach. It will enable you to develop a better application with similar functionality. Also, it will lead you to improved functionality and enhanced customer satisfaction.
You can modernize the AS400 applications by utilizing cloud-native techniques. Examples include microservices, docker containers, decoupling, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning services.
You can use Visual LANSA and RAMP for conveniently refactoring your application. LANSA helps you centrally store business rules and reusable components. On the other hand, RAMP enables you to easily prototype and design a new application.
Conclusion
IBM iSeries offers the integrity and dependability that your businesses require. It protects your data from unauthorized access and modifications. It offers a highly secure and reliable solution. Hence, you can earn the trust of clients, grow your business, and generate more revenues.
The latest IBM AS400 hardware setup offers a robust engine and powerful features. It helps you efficiently handle the core business challenges and meet emerging demands. As a result, you can effectively achieve your business goal.
LANSA offers a suite of tools for modernizing IBM i. Try them now for free. Or contact us directly.
