Enhancing Your AS400 Experience: Top 10 Things to Do

The AS400, now known as IBM i, is a powerful and reliable platform that has been the backbone of many organizations for decades. While its robustness and reliability are well-known, there are several ways to enhance your experience with AS400 to ensure it remains efficient, secure, and user-friendly. Here are the top 10 things you can do to optimize your AS400 experience.

1. Upgrade to the Latest IBM i Version

Keeping your AS400 system up-to-date with the latest IBM i version is crucial for maximizing its performance, security, and functionality.

Benefits of Upgrading

• Enhanced Security: New versions come with improved security features to protect your system from the latest threats.
• Improved Performance: Upgrades often include performance enhancements that make your system run faster and more efficiently.
• New Features: Access to new functionalities and tools that can improve productivity and streamline operations.
• Bug Fixes: Resolution of known issues and bugs that can affect system stability and performance.
• Support: Ensuring that you have access to IBM support, which may not be available for older versions.

How to Upgrade

• Plan the Upgrade: Assess the current system, identify the version to upgrade to, and create a detailed plan.
• Backup Data: Ensure all critical data is backed up to prevent data loss during the upgrade.
• Test the Upgrade: Perform the upgrade in a test environment to identify and resolve any issues.
• Execute the Upgrade: Follow IBM’s guidelines and best practices to perform the upgrade on the live system.
• Post-Upgrade Review: Verify that the upgrade was successful and that all applications and services are functioning correctly.

2. Optimize Database Performance

Database performance is key to the overall efficiency of your AS400 system. Optimizing database operations can significantly enhance user experience and application performance.

Indexing Strategies

• Create Efficient Indexes: Ensure that commonly queried fields have indexes to speed up search operations.
• Remove Redundant Indexes: Identify and remove unused or redundant indexes to reduce overhead.
• Monitor Index Usage: Regularly review and analyze index usage patterns to optimize performance.

Query Optimization

• Analyze Queries: Use SQL performance tools to analyze and optimize queries.
• Rewrite Inefficient Queries: Simplify complex queries and eliminate unnecessary joins or subqueries.
• Use Stored Procedures: Implement stored procedures to reduce the complexity and improve the efficiency of database interactions.

Regular Maintenance

• Run Database Maintenance: Perform regular maintenance tasks such as reindexing, updating statistics, and cleaning up logs.
• Automate Maintenance Tasks: Use automated tools to schedule and execute maintenance tasks to ensure they are performed consistently.

3. Implement Advanced Security Measures

Security is paramount in today’s digital landscape. Implementing advanced security measures can protect your AS400 system from threats and ensure data integrity.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Enable MFA: Require multiple forms of verification before granting access to the system.
• User Training: Educate users on the importance of MFA and how to use it effectively.
• Regular Audits: Conduct periodic audits to ensure MFA compliance and effectiveness.

Encryption

• Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit to protect against unauthorized access.
• TLS/SSL: Use TLS/SSL for secure communication channels.
• Encryption Keys: Manage and protect encryption keys using secure key management solutions.

Access Control

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Implement RBAC to restrict access based on user roles and responsibilities.
• Least Privilege Principle: Grant users the minimum access necessary to perform their job functions.
• Audit Logs: Maintain and regularly review audit logs to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts.

4. Modernize User Interfaces

Modernizing the user interfaces of your AS400 applications can greatly enhance the user experience and improve productivity.

GUI vs. Green Screen

• Graphical User Interface (GUI): Implement GUIs to replace traditional green screen interfaces, making applications more user-friendly and visually appealing.
• Web-Based Interfaces: Develop web-based interfaces to provide accessibility from any device with a browser.
• Mobile Access: Enable mobile access to AS400 applications for greater flexibility and convenience.

Tools and Technologies

There are many tools that can be leveraged to enhance your experience. Here are some of them:

• IBM Rational Developer for i (RDi): Use RDi to develop modern, integrated development environments for AS400.
• Node.js and JavaScript: Utilize modern programming languages like Node.js and JavaScript to build dynamic and interactive interfaces.
• APIs: Implement APIs to facilitate integration with other modern applications and platforms.

User Training

• Training Programs: Provide comprehensive training programs to help users transition from green screens to modern interfaces.
• User Feedback: Collect and incorporate user feedback to continuously improve the interface.

5. Automate System Monitoring and Maintenance

Automating system monitoring and maintenance tasks can improve system reliability and free up IT resources for more strategic initiatives.

Monitoring Tools

• IBM i Performance Tools: Use built-in performance tools to monitor system health and performance.
• Third-Party Solutions: Implement third-party monitoring solutions for more advanced capabilities and insights.
• Real-Time Alerts: Set up real-time alerts for critical performance issues and system anomalies.

Automated Maintenance

• Scheduled Jobs: Automate routine maintenance tasks such as backups, data purging, and system updates.
• Self-Healing Scripts: Develop scripts that automatically resolve common issues without human intervention.
• Performance Tuning: Automate performance tuning tasks to optimize system resources continuously.

Reporting and Analytics

• Automated Reports: Generate and distribute automated performance and health reports to key stakeholders.
• Analytics Dashboards: Use analytics dashboards to visualize system performance and identify trends and areas for improvement.

6. Leverage Modern Development Practices

Adopting modern development practices can improve the efficiency and quality of AS400 applications.

Agile Development

• Agile Methodology: Implement Agile methodologies to enhance collaboration, flexibility, and responsiveness.
• Scrum Practices: Use Scrum practices for iterative development and continuous feedback.
• Cross-Functional Teams: Form cross-functional teams to leverage diverse skills and perspectives.

DevOps Integration

• Continuous Integration (CI): Implement CI to automate the integration and testing of code changes.
• Continuous Deployment (CD): Use CD to automate the deployment of applications to production.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Adopt IaC to manage and provision infrastructure using code.

Test Automation

• Automated Testing Tools: Use automated testing tools to improve the speed and accuracy of testing processes.
• Unit Testing: Implement unit testing to validate individual components of the application.
• Regression Testing: Conduct regression testing to ensure new changes do not negatively impact existing functionality.

7. Enhance Data Management and Analytics

Effective data management and analytics can unlock valuable insights and drive better decision-making.

Data Warehousing

• Data Warehouse Solutions: Implement data warehousing solutions to centralize and organize large volumes of data.
• ETL Processes: Use Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes to integrate data from various sources.
• Data Quality Management: Ensure data quality through regular cleaning, validation, and enrichment.

Business Intelligence (BI)

• BI Tools: Leverage BI tools like IBM Cognos or Tableau for advanced data analysis and reporting.
• Dashboards and Reports: Create interactive dashboards and reports to visualize key metrics and trends.
• Predictive Analytics: Use predictive analytics to forecast future trends and identify potential opportunities.

Big Data Integration

• Hadoop and Spark: Integrate big data technologies like Hadoop and Spark to handle large and complex data sets.
• Real-Time Analytics: Implement real-time analytics to gain immediate insights from streaming data.
• Machine Learning: Apply machine learning algorithms to uncover hidden patterns and make data-driven predictions.

8. Implement Effective Backup and Disaster Recovery Plans

Robust backup and disaster recovery plans are essential to ensure business continuity and data protection.

Backup Strategies

• Full Backups: Perform regular full backups to ensure a complete copy of your data is always available.
• Incremental Backups: Use incremental backups to save only the changes made since the last backup, reducing storage requirements.
• Offsite Backups: Store backups offsite or in the cloud to protect against local disasters.

Disaster Recovery Planning

• DR Plans: Develop comprehensive disaster recovery (DR) plans outlining the steps to take in case of a system failure.
• Regular Testing: Test DR plans regularly to ensure they are effective and up-to-date.
• Recovery Time Objectives (RTO): Define and achieve RTOs to minimize downtime and resume operations quickly.

Data Restoration

• Restoration Procedures: Document and automate data restoration procedures to streamline recovery processes.
• Verification: Regularly verify backup integrity and restoration processes to ensure data can be recovered successfully.
• Redundancy: Implement redundant systems and storage to enhance data availability and reliability.

9. Invest in Continuous Training and Development

Continuous training and development are crucial to keep your team updated on the latest AS400 technologies and best practices.

Technical Training

• IBM Certifications: Encourage team members to pursue IBM certifications to validate their skills and knowledge.
• Workshops and Seminars: Participate in workshops and seminars to learn about new tools, technologies, and methodologies.
• Online Courses: Leverage online courses and training platforms for flexible learning opportunities.

Knowledge Sharing

• Internal Knowledge Base: Create an internal knowledge base to document and share best practices, solutions, and lessons learned.
• Mentorship Programs: Implement mentorship programs to facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development.
• Community Engagement: Engage with the AS400 community through forums, user groups, and conferences to stay informed and connected.

Soft Skills Development

• Communication Skills: Enhance communication skills to improve collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Problem-Solving: Foster problem-solving skills to address challenges effectively and efficiently.
• Leadership Training: Provide leadership training to develop future leaders and promote career growth.

10. Foster a Culture of Innovation

Creating a culture of innovation can enhance your AS400 experience by driving continuous improvement and keeping your systems at the forefront of technology.

Encourage Experimentation

• Innovation Labs: Establish innovation labs to explore new ideas, technologies, and solutions.
• Hackathons: Organize hackathons to encourage creative problem-solving and rapid prototyping.
• Pilot Projects: Implement pilot projects to test and validate new concepts before full-scale adoption.

Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinary Teams

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster collaboration between different departments and teams to leverage diverse expertise.
• External Partnerships: Partner with external organizations, vendors, and consultants to bring in fresh perspectives and specialized knowledge.
• Open Innovation Platforms: Use open innovation platforms to crowdsource ideas and solutions from a broader community.

Recognition and Rewards

• Innovation Awards: Recognize and reward innovative ideas, projects, and contributions.
• Incentive Programs: Implement incentive programs to motivate employees to pursue innovation and continuous improvement.
• Career Development Opportunities: Provide career development opportunities and support for employees who drive innovation.

Conclusion

By adopting these strategies, you can ensure that your AS400 system remains a robust and efficient backbone for your organization, capable of meeting current demands and adapting to future challenges. Embrace continuous improvement, invest in your team's skills, and stay abreast of technological advancements to keep your AS400 environment at its best. The journey to enhancing your AS400 experience is ongoing, but with the right approach, you can maximize the value and performance of this critical platform. The Nalashaa team can help you out, given our experience with the legacy system universe. Fill out the form today, and we’ll get in touch with you to chart a course towards an optimized experience!