Are you seeing signs of strain while operating mission-critical systems on IBM i? You’re not alone. 

The IBM i platform powers operations for multiple organizations worldwide. It’s known for exceptional reliability, yet many organizations face challenges with their IBM i environments today.  

Your business needs effective iSeries support to maintain peak performance. Outdated interfaces create issues for businesses. Integration becomes problematic. These challenges make specialized IBM iSeries support more valuable than ever.  

Many organizations find it difficult to determine the right time to seek professional iSeries maintenance and support. 

This piece highlights five key indicators that suggest it’s time to reevaluate your IBM system i support strategy.  

1. Your IBM i Applications Are Slowing Down Operations 

Performance bottlenecks in IBM i applications creep up slowly. They quietly eat away at efficiency until you can’t ignore their effects on operations. System slowdowns are more than just technical headaches. They hit your bottom line through reduced productivity, missed deadlines, and dissatisfied users. 

When to Consider iSeries Support for Performance Tuning 

You need to know when it’s time to get professional IBM iSeries support for performance issues. Basic performance monitoring doesn’t need much expertise. You can track system health with WRKACTJOB, WRKSYSSTS, and WRKDSKSTS commands. However, fixing complex performance challenges often needs special knowledge. 

Professional iSeries maintenance and support services make sense when: 

1. Performance Keeps Getting Worse Despite Simple Fixes: You might need specialized IBM system i support to find root causes if CPU utilization stays above 90% or response times stay too slow. 
2. Database Issues Affect Performance: IBM i systems typically have 15-40% obsolete data taking up disk space. Professional support can identify which applications use the most disk space and fix database organization using commands like RGZPFM (Reorganize Physical File Member). 
3. Your Team Lacks Performance Tuning Expertise: IBM i performance management needs deep knowledge of system hardware and software. External support becomes vital if your team doesn’t have this specialized knowledge. 
4. Performance Issues Affect Business Operations. Professional IBM iSeries support becomes a business must-have when slowdowns start affecting customer satisfaction or internal productivity. 
5. You Want to Proactively Handle Issues: Predictive AS400 support protects your system from potential issues, reduces IT downtime, and ensures optimal system performance. This proactive approach helps maintain peak productivity and streamlined business processes. 

Professional iSeries support services monitor your system, handle updates, and fix issues to prevent IT downtime, boost security, and improve application performance. These services often use automated performance data collection through tools like IBM Navigator for i Performance interface, Collection Services, and IBM Performance Management for Power Systems. 

Effective performance management saves money by helping get rid of expensive upgrades and service fees. IBM i support experts can implement automation to boost productivity for IT teams and users while improving performance and minimizing downtime risks. This approach is crucial because manual tasks often lead to human errors that disrupt operations. 

2.   You’re Struggling to Integrate IBM i with Modern Tools 

Businesses struggle to connect their IBM i systems with modern business applications. Teams get frustrated when they are unable to make data flow seamlessly between their core systems and new tools. 

The biggest integration challenges are: 

• Data Format Incompatibility – IBM i systems store data in DB2 databases with unique formats that don’t match modern structures 

• Limited Connectivity Options – Older IBM i systems don’t support RESTful APIs and modern integration protocols 

• Security Model Differences – Legacy security frameworks don’t align with today’s identity management standards 

• Technical Skill Requirements – You need experts with knowledge of both IBM i architecture and modern platforms 

These barriers create real problems for businesses. Poor integration leads to data silos, manual work, and blind spots across systems. 

Companies try to fix these issues with custom code or middleware. However, these quick fixes create fragile connections that need constant attention. The problem gets worse as each new connection adds more complexity to the system. 

How iSeries Support Helps with Seamless Integration 

IBM system i support teams know how to bridge old and new technologies. They provide both technical fixes and strategic advice to solve integration problems. 

Support teams tackle integration challenges through several methods: 

1. API Enablement and Modernization

Support specialists set up API management solutions made for IBM i environments. These create standard interfaces that let IBM i work with cloud apps, mobile platforms, and web services. 

Teams can use IBM i Access Client Solutions to connect with IBM i resources. They can modernize legacy RPG or COBOL programs by transforming them into web services that integrate with standard protocols. 

2. Middleware Implementation and Management

Support teams set up and run middleware that connects IBM i with modern systems. This middleware automates data transformation, protocol conversion, and security mapping. 

Teams implement message queues to ensure reliable data exchange between different systems. They also use enterprise service buses (ESBs) to centralize integration management.  

3. Hybrid Cloud Strategies

Support services help companies build hybrid cloud plans that blend IBM i systems with cloud services. This maintains the reliability of IBM i functions while adding cloud capabilities. 

Experts create secure connections between IBM i and cloud platforms. They also keep data consistent across all systems. 

4. Custom Connector Development

Support teams build custom connectors when standard solutions aren’t enough. These connectors help IBM i interfaces work with modern APIs. 

The deep expertise of teams in both IBM i and new platforms helps them build efficient connectors. They proactively maintain and adapt these integrations to ensure ongoing compatibility and performance.  

5. Security Integration and Compliance Management

Support services make sure all connections stay secure and follow compliance rules. This becomes crucial when sensitive data moves between different security systems. 

Teams add security gateways to connect IBM i security with modern authentication. They also track how data moves between systems. 

Companies need to modernize their IT systems continuously. iSeries support helps keep old and new systems working together. Good support lets companies maintain their stable IBM i applications while embracing new technologies for sustained growth. 

IBM system i support helps companies get the best results. They keep IBM i systems reliable and secure while adding modern features. This balanced approach lets companies grow their technology smartly without risky system replacements. 

3.    Maintenance Costs Are Rising Year Over Year 

Businesses running IBM i systems face increasing financial pressures. Maintenance fees eat up bigger chunks of IT budgets each year. Growth and innovation suffer due to hidden costs and rising support fees. Companies need to understand why these costs rise and learn strategic ways to keep their systems stable without excessive spending. 

How Proactive Support Reduces Long-Term Expenses 

Smart IBM iSeries support strategies can save serious money. IDC reports that support contracts save about 290 hours of downtime, including 79 hours of surprise outages via predictive and proactive tools. This prevents costly business disruptions. 

Here are proven ways to cut long-term maintenance costs: 

1. Switch to Third-Party Support – Opting for third-party support can be a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to optimize their IT budget. Gartner calls this approach an easy win for companies trying to save money with flat budgets. 
2. Use AI Monitoring and Analytics – Tools like IBM Support Insights, Storage Insights, and Call Home Connect identity issues proactively. They prevent outages across hybrid systems and keep support active. 
3. Get a Dedicated Technical Manager – Technical Account Managers build client relationships and work directly with IBM’s labs. Their focused attention stops problems before they occur. 
4. Control IBM License Costs – Smart license management helps you spend less, get more from your software, and stay compliant. You avoid waste while securing the necessary coverage for your operations.  
5. Try Tiered Support Levels – IBM Expert Care lets clients pick support levels based on system importance. You pay for what you need and protect critical systems. 

Proactive support brings extra financial perks. It makes hardware and software last longer, which prevents costly replacements. You need fewer in-house resources and face fewer surprise costs from system failures. 

4.    You are Unable to Find Developers to Maintain Your IBM i Code 

Finding RPG programmers for IBM i environments has become increasingly difficult. As experienced developers retire, fewer younger IT professionals pursue RPG, opting instead for newer technologies. Companies reliant on legacy IBM i applications now face key challenges in maintaining and supporting their systems without skilled experts. 

How IBM iSeries support fills the skills gap 

IBM system i support services tackle the RPG talent shortage in several ways: 

• Support providers give you direct access to developers who know both legacy RPG and modern programming. These experts ensure smooth application maintenance and future-ready coding standards. 

• IBM iSeries support teams create programs to document key system components and business rules. This helps preserve institutional knowledge as veteran developers retire. 

• Support services offer more staffing flexibility than internal teams. Instead of keeping full-time RPG developers who might be underused, companies can get specialized help through support contracts when needed. 

• Professional iSeries maintenance and support services help companies update legacy applications. Support teams can optimize old code, add APIs for modern interfaces, and move critical business logic to newer platforms step by step. 

• IBM iSeries support often costs less than hiring rare RPG developers. While experienced IBM i programmers command high salaries in a competitive market, support contracts provide predictable costs and broader expertise. 

Companies can handle the RPG talent shortage by working with specialized IBM system i support services. This partnership helps maintain excellent operations while allowing strategic modernization at a comfortable pace. 

5.   New Employees Struggle with Outdated Interfaces 

Traditional green-screen interfaces pose challenges for today’s workforce. While veteran users mastered these text-based IBM i systems over the years, modern employees expect intuitive, graphical interfaces that improve usability. 

How Modernizing with iSeries Support Improves Usability 

Professional IBM system i support brings major interface improvements that boost the user experience. New employees learn much faster with graphical interfaces and easy-to-use layouts. 

iSeries maintenance and support professionals can add searchable fields, filter options, and clickable menus that create a user-friendly experience. These improvements help employees work faster and make fewer mistakes.

Conclusion 

Companies using IBM i systems must identify the above highlighted warning signs before they escalate into major challenges. While IBM i is a reliable platform, effective support is essential to ensure that it continues to deliver business value as the digital world evolves. Swift identification of these signs lets organizations take action through professional iSeries maintenance services. 

Professional IBM system i support offers performance tuning, modern integration solutions, budget-friendly strategies, expert developer resources, and interface updates. These specialized services help companies keep their business running while updating their systems to meet evolving requirements. 

Teaming up with experienced iSeries support providers offers companies access to comprehensive expertise that would be expensive to maintain in-house. This alliance lets businesses use their existing IBM i investments while adapting to today’s tech needs. The benefits become evident when you compare the costs of system failures to the investment in proactive maintenance.