Practical Strategies for SMEs Running Legacy IBM i / AS400 Environments
Many small and mid-sized organisations continue to rely on older IBM i, AS/400, or iSeries systems to support their daily operations. These platforms are stable and resilient, but ageing hardware and constrained budgets often require a more disciplined approach to maintenance, risk management, and long-term planning.
Below are key recommendations to help such organisations remain productive and minimise operational risk.
Note: IBM i is the operating system. AS400 and iSeries refer to legacy hardware platforms. The terms are used interchangeably here to align with common online search behaviour.
1. Maintain Hardware Reliability
• Stock Essential Spare Parts
Keep commonly failing components on hand — such as disks, power supplies, and tape drives — as these are now only available through used or refurbished channels.
• Consider Third-Party Hardware Maintenance
Specialised non-IBM maintenance providers can deliver cost-effective support for legacy AS/400 and iSeries environments, often with faster response times.
2. Strengthen Backup and Disaster Recovery Preparedness
• Ensure Reliable Tape or VTL Backups
Implement a consistent, verifiable backup routine. It is surprising how many IBM i systems lack fully restorable backup sets — a critical operational risk.
• Maintain Offsite Copies
Secure a secondary copy of your backups offsite to protect against fire, theft, or environmental incidents.
• Define a Disaster Recovery Process
Even a basic recovery plan ensures you know what to do if the system fails unexpectedly.
3. Stabilise Your Software Environment
• Operate Safely Without SWMA
If you do not have IBM Software Maintenance (SWMA), keep OS and PTF levels frozen at a stable point.
• Avoid Risky Upgrades
Do not perform system upgrades without expert IBM i support unless you have thoroughly tested the process on a non-production system.
• Keep Third-Party Licensing Current
If you rely on external software vendors, maintain current support agreements. You will need valid licence keys should you upgrade or migrate the system in the future.
4. Extend System Connectivity
• Enable Modern Data Access
Use ODBC, OLE DB, JDBC, or REST interfaces to integrate IBM i data with PC applications and modern software environments.
• Introduce Interface Modernisation
Web or GUI front-ends can extend the life of legacy applications by improving accessibility and reducing reliance on green-screen interfaces.
5. Increase Automation and Monitoring
• Use Job Scheduling Tools
Leverage the built-in job scheduler or affordable third-party solutions to reduce manual intervention.
• Implement System Monitoring
Basic alerting for disk utilisation, failed jobs, and backup errors can significantly reduce downtime. Ensure administrators understand how to interpret error messages and respond effectively.
6. Strengthen Security Controls
• Review User Profiles Regularly
Audit inactive accounts and remove excessive privileges.
• Enforce Better Password Policies
Even older OS levels can support improved password standards, reducing exposure to common threats.
• Apply Network Segmentation
If patching is no longer an option, minimise risk by limiting unnecessary network access to the system.
7. Prepare for Long-Term Transition
• Evaluate Migration Paths
Plan ahead by exploring cloud hosting, modern Power Systems servers, or hybrid environments to support future growth.
• Understand Data Extraction Options
Ensure you can export DB2/400 data into SQL or CSV formats as part of your contingency planning.
Conclusion
Stability, disciplined backup practices, improved connectivity, and clear forward planning are essential for organisations operating legacy IBM i / AS400 systems. With the right approach, these environments can continue supporting business operations while you prepare for future migration or platform modernisation.
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3) IBM I (iSeries/AS400) Disaster Recovery Options
https://movit.asnetworks.asia/en_GB/bcp/drp
4) IBM I (iSeries/AS400) Version Upgrade
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