2025 has been a banner year for IBM i; version 7.6 is now available, Power 11 has arrived as the next-generation platform, and the long-anticipated AI-powered coding assistant is on the horizon. As we look toward the fall, application modernization will take center stage, and we want to give you a preview of the themes and momentum you’ll be hearing more about.

By Steve Will and Amy Blea

Who are we? You likely know Steve Will, CTO and Chief Architect of IBM i. You’ll also have the opportunity to get to know Amy Blea, Senior IBM i Product Manager, who focuses on application development and modernization on IBM i. Together, we’re here to talk about what application modernization means for IBM i, and why it matters now more than ever.

Why Modernize?

Application modernization has become one of the most significant conversations for IBM i clients today. As organizations balance the reliability of their existing systems with the pressure to deliver new capabilities, the question is no longer whether to modernize, but how. Organizations want the reliability of their existing applications, but they also need new capabilities, new interfaces, and new ways to attract the next generation of developers.

By modernizing, companies can:

• Improve productivity through modern IDEs and AI-assisted coding.
• Extend application reach via APIs, cloud integration, and microservices.
• Unlock data value by transforming legacy data into actionable insights.
• Future-proof the workforce by enabling new skills to work alongside existing RPG investments.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all path. Every business has different goals and pressures, but the key is starting where it delivers the most value while protecting the reliability of core systems.

Entry Points for Application Modernization

Organizations typically begin their journey in one or more of these areas:

• Optimize Applications: Improving performance, efficiency, and scalability of existing workloads to better meet today’s business demands.
• Modernize Applications: Updating RPG applications with modern interfaces, APIs, and frameworks to improve usability and integration.
• Modernize Data: Transforming and integrating data across systems, making it easier to access, analyze, and use for real-time decision making.
• Streamline Development: Simplifying the development lifecycle through modern tools, DevOps practices, and automation, enabling teams to deliver updates faster and with higher quality.

Real-World Examples

• Optimizing Applications: Van-Kam Freightways modernized its Less Than Truckload (LTL) operations by integrating mobile devices and API-driven workflows directly with its IBM i systems. Paper-based processes were replaced with digital updates across cross-dock and delivery operations, giving staff real-time visibility and reducing manual errors. The result: faster throughput, lower operating costs, and a clear step toward “logistics futurization.”

• Modernizing Applications: Western Power Sports transformed their e-commerce operations on IBM i by exposing RPG business logic through APIs and building modern IBM i-based web applications - enabling rapid development of scalable, high-performance websites. With only two part-time developers managing six websites, the company now generates $250,000 a day online, a 500% increase in digital sales, and a vastly improved customer experience. This shift not only improved customer experience but also proved that IBM i can power modern, revenue-critical digital channels.

• Modernizing Data: Seylan Bank consolidated and transformed data from siloed systems into a unified IBM i environment. By making financial information more accessible and analytics-ready, the bank accelerated reporting and delivered faster insights to both employees and customers.

• Streamlining Development: King III Solutions, a wholesale and retail inventory software provider, modernized its development practices by adopting Visual Studio Code for IBM i, standardizing tools across its diverse developer base. This shift improved productivity, attracted new talent, and enabled faster innovation, ultimately driving a 300% year-over-year revenue increase.

The Path Forward

Application modernization on IBM i is not a “rip and replace” initiative. It’s about preserving the business logic that makes each organization unique while surrounding it with modern tools and practices that enable innovation. From APIs and open-source to DevOps and AI-enabled code assistants, modernization empowers businesses to innovate at their own pace while protecting what differentiates their business.

IBM is reinforcing this journey with ongoing investments in open-source technologies, modern IDEs, and a new AI-powered coding assistant built to help developers understand, document, and safely evolve their applications. These advances lower the barrier for new talent, accelerate modernization projects, and extend the value of existing applications without compromising reliability. The full reveal of this next-generation coding assistant will take center stage at TechXchange in Orlando, Florida, this month—one of the most anticipated announcements for the IBM i community. We can’t wait to share more details and show you how these innovations will further accelerate application modernization on IBM i.

Steve Will is the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Architect for IBM i at IBM, as well as an IBM Distinguished Engineer. Since joining IBM in 1985, he has played a pivotal role in evolving the IBM i platform, leading its modernization through technologies like cloud, AI, and VS Code integration. Appointed Chief Architect in 2007, he succeeded Frank Soltis and has been a key advocate for the platform’s future. Known for his leadership, technical vision, and community engagement, Will actively shares insights through blogs, conferences, and social media.