Everything You Must Know About IBM AS400 ERP and ERP Cloud

1. Everything You Must Know About IBM AS400 ERP and ERP Cloud Created in 1988, AS400 ERP is software that serves as a mid-range server. Developed by IBM, this software is the foundation for a plethora of businesses globally. While there is various other software out there that are more modern than AS400 iSeries, this software still works exquisitely with most business requirements and is the first choice of businesses. Along with AS400 ERP, you may have also come across names like iSeries ERP, IBMi, and System i. Each of these things is the same with a different name. The reason IBM uses different names is to prompt branding. AS400 or AS400 ERP is dynamic. With primary uses lying in the development of JAVA applications, web and eCommerce hosting, and data warehousing, AS400 is all you need for your business to do well. Let us dive into the depths of AS400 ERP System to understand its benefits and much more. What is IBM As400 ERP? The IBM AS400 ERP was designed as an integrated product consisting of hardware and software. The hardware is the AS400, and the software is the operating system called OS400.

2. While AS400 ERP was originally released in 1988, it did not become obsolete because IBM kept on upgrading both the hardware and the software over the years. Not just that, IBM also worked on their branding to rename the product to align it with the latest market needs. Named Power Systems, the hardware now runs on the operating system IBM i. One of the greatest features of AS400 ERP is that it works well with a variety of applications. While some say that the system is almost antique, its compatibility remains with several applications, including AS400 inventory management and accounting software. This implies that you can run a program designed for the first version of AS400 on the latest Power Systems server without making any changes. Even though the system is outdated, various companies still use it to date as the compatibility is seamless. This is because of the consistent upgrade that happens every two-three years. Some updates over the years are: In 1988, the AS400 system was created with the operating system OS400. The previously written programs on System/34 and System/36 could be relocated to the newly devised AS400. Both the systems were part of the initial line of minicomputers launched in 1979. • • • In 2000, IBM changed the name of AS400 to iSeries. In 2006, IBM again changed the name of iSeries to IBM System i. In 2008, IBM combined System I and System P to brand it as IBM Power System. This served as a merged product offering.

3. We Can Help You Solve the Challenges of IBM iSeries AS400 • If you are facing problems due to the lack of IT talent. • Looking for a partner to get help in modernization? • Not able to find a partner with strong technological and back-office expertise. Benefits of AS400 ERP • With numerous benefits keeping it from becoming obsolete, iSeries ERP or AS400 • ERP is what you need for your business. Let us see why: • AS400 ERP offers scalability. You can purchase the core server at an affordable rate and then upgrade it to 256-core later. • iSeries ERP has good reliability as it can offer up to 100 percent uptime is better than its other counterparts. • AS400 ERP is highly secure if the configuration is proper. • We can say that the AS400 ERP is sophisticated software as the server is updated timely. It is modern enough to support most programming languages, including RPG, JAVA, and many more.

4. • The compatibility of the iSeries ERP is wonderful as it allows easy transitions. Challenges While the benefits are plentiful, there are also a few challenges that come with the AS400 ERP. These are: Some individuals have incorrect perceptions about the iSeries ERP or AS400 ERP. They believe that the AS400 ERP is outdated. They think it is better to buy something they think is modern. This perception is wrong because AS400 is modern enough and offers good compatibility. This is why it is used extensively within companies globally. It might be somewhat difficult to find people who have expertise in IBMi because the proficient professionals have already retired. With a complex internal architecture, finding developers and programmers who are knowledgeable about AS400 software is crucial. We can see that the benefits outweigh the challenges. This is why retaining and buying iSeries ERP is a good idea. What is the difference between Legacy Software and the Next Generation of ERP? When we say Legacy software, we are typically referring to offline ERPs. They are also called on- premises ERP systems. On the contrary, the Next Generation of ERP is nothing but a cloud-based ERP tool. Let us analyse the difference between the two further: The cloud ERP offers greater ease of access compared to the Legacy ERP. Using the Legacy ERPs, you will have to maintain the ERPs on your server or computer. The people who have the authority to use the ERP can only gain access through the machine. Since the Next Generation ERPs are present on an internet server that you own or lease, you require a web browser to access it. You can access it using any web browser like Chrome, Safari, and Edge. The Next Generation ERPs are futuristic. It incorporates technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, big-data analytics, machine learning, and cloud computing. The core functionalities of ERP are well defined to the vertical industries that it serves. We can say that these ERPs are based on software as a Service or SaaS. This implies that you must pay a fee to get permission to use the software and hardware on which it operates. It is easier to update and customize the Next Generation ERPs compared to Legacy software. The changes can be made automatically. On the contrary, Legacy software ERPs might be tough to change with limited knowledge. You require a robust IT team for this. You can use any device with the internet to access the Next Generation ERP systems. Your only requirement is a web browser. For Legacy ERP, you need a machine with the software enabled.

5. Modernizing The ERP Cloud Modernizing your ERP through ERP cloud poses plenty of advantages that can help optimize your business’s processes. Let us see how: The security on the cloud is high for outstanding data use and integration. Some cloud services offer automatic encryption of stored data. This takes the stress off the IT department. The feature of the cloud’s data scalability can ensure the storage easily scales based on changing demands. The cloud is always functioning. You can instantly access the applications and data in the cloud. You can also access it via any device. The updates and software installations also occur with minimal intrusion into the team’s workload. In terms of data migration also, the cloud offers a simple process. With ERP cloud, the vendor is responsible for the full maintenance. The data hosting is handled well, and they also maintain hardware to run ERP services. All this makes things easy for the company’s IT team. With the clouds, downtime rarely happens. This is due to the intricate architecture of the cloud and its perpetual on-capability feature. Yet, if the cloud goes down at some point, you can also use local servers as a backup. What are ERP Upgrade Benefits? For those who use Legacy ERP systems, it is crucial to upgrade them to salvage the benefits compared to those who use cloud-based ERP.

6. The upgrade is prime because it helps receive updates, new features, service packs, and much more. All of this is in real-time. A system that is up to date will be optimized. Through this, your workers do not have to stress about the downtime. Doing the upgrade for AS400 ERP without any business disruptions will ensure you get the most out of cloud ERP. How to Choose an ERP Consultant? Since choosing ERP is only done once every several years; you must do it in the best possible way. For the same, hiring an ERP consultant can be beneficial. Let us see what questions you should ask before you hire an ERP consultant: • • • • • • How long have they been in business? What is the financial power of the consultant business? What recommendations have you received from credible sources? Does the consultant specialize in your chosen ERP system? Does the consultant specialize in your business niche? Is the consultant a good fit for your company’s culture? Do you see a long-term relationship budding? Once you are done asking these questions, you can see vividly if a particular consultant aligns well with your ERP system. To help you find the right ERP consultant for your business, you can come to Integrative Systems. With over 20 years of expertise in providing AS400 support, Integrative Systems can help you with all IBMi related projects and tasks. Now, you can experience the best AS400 ERP support near you with the finest standard operating procedure. Read More AboutIBM AS400 System Legacy: Embracing Innovation