IBM i: A Modern Platform Misunderstood, Not Outdated
Across the IT landscape, IBM i is often labelled as “outdated” or in need of immediate “modernisation.” This perception is inaccurate. The platform has never been obsolete, it has simply been widely misunderstood by those unfamiliar with its capabilities.
What many refer to as “modernisation” has very little to do with the core technology. Instead, it is typically about changing the look and feel of the interface to resemble what non–IBM i users are accustomed to. The demand is usually for a more familiar GUI, not a more capable system.
Professionals who work on IBM i regularly hear comments such as, “You’re still using that old green screen? Isn’t that the AS/400?” While often said jokingly, it demonstrates a common misconception. Even when we show the evolution of GUI tools — from Operations Navigator years ago to today’s IBM Access Client Solutions (ACS) — the assumption persists: “It’s still just AS/400.”
A Clear Lineage, Continuous Evolution
Here is the factual progression of the platform:
AS/400 – Introduced in 1988
iSeries – Rebranded in 2000
System i – 2006
Power Systems – 2008 to present
OS progression: OS/400 → i5/OS → IBM i
This is a single, continuous evolution — not a stagnant legacy system. The architecture has matured, adapted, and aligned with modern enterprise requirements without compromising its stability and reliability.
You would not tell a Windows user, “You must still be running MS-DOS.” It would be an uninformed statement. Yet IBM i professionals hear the equivalent repeatedly simply because the platform’s interface is unfamiliar to the average IT practitioner.
It’s Not About Modernising — It’s About Evolving
For many IT professionals who began their careers on Windows, expectations are shaped by early experiences: point-and-click interfaces, Windows-centric workflows, and standardised naming conventions. IBM i naturally looks different — because its design principles prioritise resilience, security, and performance over surface-level aesthetics.
Learning IBM i requires adjusting to new terminologies and workflows. That is part of its evolution. It is not a barrier — it is simply a different way of thinking about enterprise computing.
This is why the discussion should focus on evolution, enhancement, and expansion, not “modernisation.” Referring to IBM i as outdated reinforces a misconception that does not align with its current technological relevance.
A Platform Worth Re-evaluating
For those outside the IBM i community, it is worth re-examining the platform with a modern understanding. IBM i today is not the AS/400 of decades past, and it is certainly not defined by the green screen interface many still associate with it.
It remains a powerful, secure, and business-critical platform for organisations across the globe — a platform that continues to evolve alongside modern IT demands.
For further insights or to discuss how AS Networks Asia supports IBM i environments across their full lifecycle, feel free to reach out at enquiries@asnetworks.asia