Why transform instead of replace
Rewriting or replacing a working IBM i or AIX system is expensive and risky. These systems hold decades of business rules that are rarely fully documented, and replacement projects often run over time and budget.
Transformation keeps what works and improves the rest. We modernize code, data, interfaces and operations in small, measurable steps, so the business sees value early and the system stays stable throughout.
What we transform
Application modernization
- Convert fixed-format RPG III and RPG/400 to free-form RPGLE
- Restructure large programs into modular ILE service programs
- Remove dead code and document business rules as we go
- Replace hard-coded values with configuration and SQL tables
Database modernization
- Move DDS-described files to SQL tables, views and indexes
- Add primary keys, constraints and referential integrity
- Use SQL for reporting and data access where it simplifies the code
- Improve performance with the right indexes and query tuning
APIs and integration
- Expose IBM i programs and data as REST APIs with IBM Integrated Web Services
- Build integration services with Node.js or Python running on IBM i
- Connect IBM i and AIX systems to CRM, e-commerce, mobile apps and cloud services
- Message and file-based integration with IBM MQ, SFTP and scheduled jobs
User experience
- Web and mobile front ends on top of existing business logic
- Gradual replacement of green screens for the users who need it most
- 5250 screens kept for power users where they are still the fastest option
DevOps for IBM i and AIX
- Source code in Git, with full history and branching
- Modern editing with VS Code and Code for IBM i, or IBM RDi
- Automated builds and deployments with CI/CD pipelines
- Automated tests for critical business processes
Infrastructure automation
- Ansible playbooks for patching, user management and compliance checks on AIX and IBM i
- Scripted, repeatable builds for new partitions
- Automated health checks and reports
Platform transformation
- Hardware refresh from Power8 or Power9 to Power10 or Power11
- Consolidation of many small systems onto fewer servers with PowerVM
- IBM i and AIX release upgrades
- Moves to IBM Power Virtual Server for DR or production
Our approach
- Assess. We inventory applications, code, data and infrastructure, and talk to the people who use and support them.
- Roadmap. We agree priorities based on business value, risk and cost, and turn them into a phased plan.
- Pilot. We modernize one area first, such as one application module or one integration, to prove the approach.
- Scale. We roll the approach out across the estate and train your team to carry it forward.
What you get
- An assessment report with findings and a prioritized roadmap
- Modernized code, databases and interfaces, tested and documented
- Knowledge transfer so your team can maintain the result
- Clear progress reporting at every phase
Frequently asked questions
Will modernization disrupt our users?
We change one area at a time, test thoroughly and release in planned windows. Users keep working while the system improves underneath.
Do we need to buy new tools?
Not necessarily. Much of the work uses tools that come with IBM i and AIX, plus free open-source tools such as Git and VS Code. Where a commercial tool would save time, we explain the options and costs first.
How long does a transformation take?
A first pilot usually takes a few weeks. A full programme can run from a few months to a year or more, depending on the size of the estate and your priorities.