The purpose of this blog is to identify end of life servers and factors so IBM i users can start thinking about their options. Disclaimer: “IBM i” is an operating system. “iSeries” and “AS400” are servers that IBM used to market. I use these terms interchangeably to reach a broader audience who Google for information.
IBM users should be aware that many IBM i Servers (iSeries/AS400) will have hardware support withdrawn between 2019 to 2020. Most notably, these are 9406-520, 9406-525, 9407-515 and 9408-M25.
I also have a sense that many POWER6 (8203-E4A) users may not be aware that IBM i 7.2 is the last supported version for them. Hint: you may have about 2-4 years before support goes away, although no official announcement has been made.
While 2- 6 years may seem a ways off, I encourage users with these servers to reflect and research their options now to avoid having “their backs to the wall.”
Let me elaborate.
I frequently hear of business (not IT) managers that think they can move off IBM i to another platform in a matter of months to about 1-2 years. In my experience, I have only seen one company successfully move “quickly” from IBM i to a new platform … it took 4 years. ONE COMPANY!
Other than that one exception, I see it take companies 7 – 11 years. In many cases, LONGER!
Many of the conversations I currently have with IT executives are that their management has unrealistic expectations to implement new solutions. Their business executives DON’T understand the nuances or complexities of their business that are elegantly supported with their legacy IBM i. Worse, these business executives seem unwilling to take the time to understand what they really have or what they really need.
What to do?
Start researching your options to develop contingency plans. Better if you can also draft written recommendations to provide your management with their options so they know you are looking forward…even if they may not be.
Key Factors To Consider When Moving From Your Legacy System
1) How long will you need to keep your current application when there are plans to move to a new system? If the new system does not support key subsystems or you need to access to history, you may have your IBM i legacy applications for many years.
Several of my Cloud400 clients started with the intent to discontinue the service within 1-2 years. 5 years later they tell us it could be another 3-5 years.
We have other clients with industry compliance requirements to maintain records for 10 years. Does your operation have similar requirements?
2) Can application modernization satisfy needs instead of a new system? In best cases I have witnessed, it may take 2-3 years to deploy a new system. And that’s after the 1-2 years to research and select the new system. Once it is up, there can be another 1-2 years to customize the new system for reporting and refinement.
That’s 4-7 years to get the new system running properly.
It may be far better to modernize what you have with the staff you have. WAY less pain and disruption than learning a new system.
3) Whether You Go With New Software Or Modernize, It May Take 4-7 Years
And that is the point.
Most likely, whatever course you are on, unless you are committed to IBM i, you will still need your IBM i system for another 4-7 years.
So, start preparing for a new approach to replace your End-Of- Life IBM servers.
What Are Your Choices
1) You can do nothing and stay with what you have, provided when the server has hardware failure you could be down for days. I have spoken to several companies that tell me they think they can afford to be down for several days to 2 weeks. OK for these folks to stay put.
2) Upgrade to a new POWER server. If you have not explored this option you may be amazed at the price performance. In many cases, a new server can pay for itself in 2-3 years depending on your current hardware and software support.
3) Move to IBM i cloud hosting for interim needs with easy termination. Cloud hosting is the easiest for interim needs with easy to terminate options. Cloud hosting terms allow you to host for a few months …or terminate after 2 or 3 years. Very flexible!
Even better when you compare cloud hosting to buying a new server, often cloud hosting can be way less expensive than buying a new server.
How Much Time Do I Need To Research And Prepare For Change
As eager as many of my clients are to prepare for transition, at best it can take 6-18 months or longer to make the change.
1) Research options and gather proposals 3 – 6 months
2) Budget approval 3 – 18 months
3) Deep dive options for final selection 3 – 6 months
4) Prepare for transition and testing after selection
Call To Action
Given the issues I have noted and the schedules outlined, start planning your transition strategy to share with your management so they have time to consider their choices…and you don’t have your backs to the wall.
Most likely you WILL be on an IBM i continuity plan for 3-7 years or more.
Need Help?
Call me at 714-593-0387 or email me at blosey@source-data.com. Let us know how we can help!
To learn more about us, and view our customer testimonials, please visit our website: www.Source-Data.com and see our other links:
1) IBM I on POWER (iSeries/AS400)
https://www.source-data.com/ibm-i-on-power-server/
2) IBM I (iSeries/AS400) Cloud Hosting
https://www.source-data.com/cloud-400/
3) IBM I (iSeries/AS400) Disaster Recovery Options
https://www.source-data.com/cloud400-disaster-recovery/
4) IBM I (iSeries/AS400) Version Upgrade
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