AS400, also known as IBM i, has long been a cornerstone in enterprise IT environments. Its reliability, robustness, and scalability make it an invaluable asset. However, to align AS400 development with modern business objectives requires strategic planning and execution. This guide provides C-suite executives with insights and actionable steps to integrate AS400 development teams into their broader business strategy while addressing the
Understanding the Strategic Value of AS400 Developers
AS400 developers bring unique skills and expertise that can drive significant business value. By aligning their work with your strategic objectives, you can:
Enhance Operational Efficiency
Streamlined Processes: AS400 developers can optimize existing processes, reducing bottlenecks and improving overall efficiency.
Automation: Leveraging their expertise to automate routine tasks can lead to substantial cost savings and higher productivity.
Support Digital Transformation
Legacy Modernization: AS400 developers can help modernize legacy systems, making them compatible with new technologies and platforms.
Seamless Integration: They ensure seamless integration between AS400 systems and other enterprise applications, fostering a cohesive IT ecosystem.
Drive Innovation
Custom Solutions: AS400 developers can create custom solutions tailored to your specific business needs, fostering innovation.
Data Insights: They can develop advanced analytics capabilities, providing valuable insights for data-driven decision-making.
Also read: Why Do You Need AS400 Development in 2024?
Challenges in Building an AS400 Development Team
Finding and retaining skilled AS400 developers can be challenging due to several factors:
Declining Workforce
Aging Workforce: Many experienced AS400 developers are nearing retirement, creating a knowledge gap.
Scarcity of New Talent: Few new developers are entering the field, leading to a limited talent pool.
Limited Educational Resources
Outdated Curriculum: Many educational institutions no longer offer courses on AS400 or related technologies.
Lack of Training Programs: There are few training programs available to upskill existing IT staff in AS400 development.
Decreasing Vendor Support
IBM’s Shift: IBM has shifted its focus away from AS400, reducing the availability of official support and resources.
Third-Party Dependencies: Businesses must often rely on third-party vendors for support, which can be costly and less reliable.
Setting Clear Objectives
To align AS400 development with your business goals, start by setting clear and measurable objectives. Consider the following steps:
Identify Key Business Goals
Revenue Growth: How can AS400 development contribute to increasing revenue?
Implementing a new AS400-based e-commerce platform that integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, allowing you to launch new product lines faster and more efficiently. This could open up new revenue streams and increase market share.
Cost Reduction: What efficiencies can be achieved through better use of AS400 systems?
Automating inventory management processes with AS400 development to reduce manual entry errors and lower operational costs. This can result in significant savings on labor and reduce excess inventory holding costs.
Customer Satisfaction: How can the work of AS400 developers improve customer experiences?
Enhancing your customer relationship management (CRM) system with AS400 development to provide real-time data access and personalized customer interactions. This can lead to faster response times, better service, and higher customer satisfaction levels.
Define Metrics for Success
Performance Metrics: Set KPIs to measure the performance of AS400 systems post-development.
User Adoption Rates: Track how quickly and effectively new solutions are adopted by end-users.
ROI: Calculate the return on investment for AS400 development projects.
Building the Right Team
Having the right team in place is crucial for the successful alignment of AS400 development with business objectives.
In-House vs. Outsourcing
In-House: Building an in-house team provides greater control and allows for continuous development.
Outsourcing: Partnering with specialized AS400 development firms can offer cost advantages and access to a broader talent pool.
Essential Skills and Expertise
Technical Proficiency: Ensure your developers have a deep understanding of AS400, RPG, COBOL, and other relevant technologies.
Problem-Solving Abilities: Developers should be adept at troubleshooting and optimizing complex systems.
Business Acumen: Developers with a keen understanding of business processes can align their technical work more effectively with strategic goals.
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Implementing Best Practices
Adopting best practices in AS400 development ensures that your projects are efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with business objectives.
Agile Development Methodology
Iterative Development: Agile promotes continuous improvement through iterative cycles, allowing for ongoing alignment with business needs.
Collaboration: Agile emphasizes collaboration between developers and stakeholders, ensuring that development efforts are always aligned with business priorities.
Continuous Integration and Deployment
Automated Testing: Implement automated testing to catch issues early and ensure high-quality code.
Frequent Releases: Regularly deploying updates ensures that improvements and new features are quickly made available to users.
Regular Training and Upskilling
Ongoing Education: Encourage your AS400 developers to stay updated with the latest technologies and best practices.
Certifications: Investing in certifications for your team can enhance their skills and demonstrate their expertise.
Ensuring Alignment Through Communication
Clear and consistent communication between AS400 developers and business leaders is key to ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Regular Meetings and Updates
Status Updates: Hold regular meetings to discuss project progress, challenges, and next steps.
Feedback Loops: Establish feedback mechanisms to ensure that developers are aware of business needs and priorities.
Collaborative Tools
Project Management Software: Use tools like JIRA, Asana, or Trello to track progress and facilitate collaboration.
Communication Platforms: Implement platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams to enable real-time communication between developers and stakeholders.
Measuring and Optimizing Performance
Regularly measuring and optimizing the performance of AS400 development initiatives ensures that they remain aligned with business objectives.
Performance Reviews
KPIs: Regularly review key performance indicators to assess the impact of AS400 development on business goals.
User Feedback: Gather feedback from end-users to identify areas for improvement and ensure that solutions meet their needs.
Continuous Improvement
Iterative Refinement: Continuously refine and improve AS400 development processes based on performance data and feedback.
Benchmarking: Compare your AS400 development efforts against industry standards and best practices to identify opportunities for enhancement.
Conclusion
Aligning AS400 development with your business objectives requires strategic planning, clear communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By understanding the strategic value of AS400 developers, setting clear objectives, building the right team, implementing best practices, and ensuring alignment through communication, C-suite executives can leverage AS400 development to drive significant business value. Our team at Nalashaa can help you do this and go a few steps further too! Contact us today by filling in the form.
