As400 mini
- 1. AS400 THE WAY FORWARD A long-overdue modernization that businesses have delayed for decades. Here, we try to list down the paths that you, as an AS400 iSeries user, should tread to maximize your machine’s potential or migrate to a more flexible & modern tech stack. We also touch upon some real-world scenarios for you to relate better. ABSTRACT
- 2. IBM iSERIES/AS400 SOME LIGHT TOWARDS THE END OF THE LEGACY TUNNEL There is light at the end of every tunnel, some are just longer than the others. One such tunnel is within which most enterprises using the IBM iSeries/AS400 are currently sitting. Ever since enterprises started using applications to manage operations, IBM has played a vital role. With a series of periodic updates, we are in the iSeries generation which is the heart of countless enterprises and helps organizations run their operations. Due to years of usage, such solutions store large volumes of critical data and core business logic of enterprises. With data sitting in silos in databases for years, organizations are looking to leverage and reap the maximum benefits from this accumulated information. Organizations using the IBM i machines face certain limitations from a user experience & modernization standpoint due to the tightly coupled code and the legacy green screens. This poses challenges in supporting the machines and ensuring high productivity of iSeries users. iSeries applications are usually the core of an organization and are critical for its end-to-end operations. However, with modern users governing industries, such systems look architecturally obsolete and can obstruct business growth. Considering the modern IBM server, i.e. the IBM i, you would notice the use of ‘iSeries’ on most occasions in this paper. However, the ideas here resonate with System 36/38, AS400, Power Systems, and of course the more advanced iSeries All rights reserved © 2020 4
- 3. Automation (using RPA) RPA (Robotic Process Automation) is a technology that businesses across industries are leveraging to automate mundane tasks that are currently keeping their staff occupied. The technology, being platform-agnostic, can be used to automate processes within the AS400/ iSeries too. It helps automate data extraction and task execution-related tasks on various terminals (Mainframe/AS400, TN3270/TN5250/VT). A few potential areas where RPA adds value: terminal wizard, terminal activities, supported providers iSeries is a world-class application server with proven robustness, scalability, reliability, security, and low cost of ownership. As new technologies and devices emerge to transform the way we conduct business, there is an increasing demand to modernize iSeries applications to harness greater value. With this known, businesses must plan the migration comprehensively and ensure that there isn’t any data loss in the transition. The big question is ‘Who bells the cat?’ after putting in a lot of money and efforts into the system. The most common causes for such delays include: COMPLETE MIGRATION WHAT MIGHT BE IMPEDING YOU? The uncovered reality inside the AS400 with limited access Lacking an innovation plan to address industry expectations Not sure of the impact and business risks it might cause Lack of adequate budgets for IT to support such endeavors No clarity on the business value and experience the change would bring in All rights reserved © 2020 13
- 4. REWRITE & MIGRATE FROM IBM iSERIES An approach With time, AS400 has become a machine that needs extensive hardware/software maintenance. Running critical business-centric applications on an iSeries is a risk if access to the right set of resources is minimal. Upgrading is not always sustainable due to the hardware and software changes it involves. Migration to a custom solution offers scalability, agility, and flexibility along with significant cost benefits. It might sound like an overwhelming exercise but here’s a summary of what it might actually look like. Below is a brief 4-stage migration approach that facilitates the execution of the endeavor iteratively to reduce conversion risks and obtain better user acceptance. Cost assessment Depending on the organizational IT landscape and environment, the total cost to upgrade might be higher than that of a migration exercise. Also, upgrades do not provide much scalability & agility, and a future-ready architecture. To help enterprises find a solution, here is a cost assessment framework that yields a cost-benefit comparison between upgrade and migration. This would help businesses choose the option that best suits their case. Assess • Business purpose • Dependencies • Business process • impacted • Stakeholders • Functional experts • Technical experts • Business Value • delivered • Impact of failure • Maintainability • Performance • User interface • flexibility • Ease of integration • Skill set for maintenance • Better maintainability • Superior UX • Improved code management • Better performance • Better DB control • Prioritize the inventory according to the goals • Create a project charter • Define RACI matrix • Establish processes • Identify CSFs Analyze Objectives Plan of Action • All rights reserved © 2020 14