The 2023 IBMi Marketplace survey results reveal several key findings. Top 7 of those are listed below which underlines the importance of IBMi/AS400 modernization services:
Cybersecurity remains a top concern:
Over the past seven years, cybersecurity has consistently been the primary concern for organizations planning their IT environments. In the latest survey, 68% of respondents identified cybersecurity as their number one concern, an increase from 62% the previous year. Despite this, 27% of respondents do not plan to implement any of the surveyed cybersecurity solutions, highlighting a potential gap in security measures.
Adoption of Power10 servers:
Organizations are starting to adopt IBM Power E1080 scale-up servers with the Power10 processor, which was launched in September 2021. The survey shows that 16% of respondents have already migrated or are in the process of upgrading to Power10, while another 74% are seriously considering it. This shift is driven by the tangible benefits of the new hardware in terms of security, virtualization, and high availability. Older hardware, such as Power8 and older, is gradually being phased out.
Reliability of IBM i:
The survey indicates that IBM i is relied upon by many businesses as their primary business solution due to its reputation for reliability and stability. 70% of respondents use IBM i to run more than half of their core business applications. Only 4% of respondents expect to have migrated all their applications off IBM i within the next two years, highlighting the continued trust in the platform.
Securing remote operations:
Supporting remote operations has become essential for organizations, presenting new challenges, particularly in terms of security. The survey highlights security concerns with remote access at 51% and supporting employees working from home at 36%. Organizations are implementing measures such as layered security around VPN access, automating manual processes, and leveraging IBM i Access Client Solutions to better support remote operations.
Increased adoption of Rational Developer (RDi):
Rational Developer for i (RDi), an IBM i productivity tool, has seen a notable increase in adoption. In the survey, 25% of respondents reported that all their developers make use of RDi, up from 22% the previous year. RDi facilitates communication and teamwork, which are vital in the modern workplace, especially with telecommuting becoming more prevalent.
RPG as a widely used language:
RPG continues to be the most widely used language for new development on IBM i, with 93% of respondents using it. However, there is also a trend of using multiple languages, including SQL, CLP, and open languages. This can be attributed to the fact that modern RPG resembles and behaves like other languages, making it easier to learn and use. The prominence of RPG helps bridge the IBM i skills gap.
Trust and satisfaction with IBM i:
Trust and satisfaction with IBM i reach an all-time high in the survey. 95% of respondents believe that their IBM i server provides better return on investment (ROI) compared to other servers. Additionally, 20% of respondents plan to increase their IBM i footprint in 2022, while 37% intend to continue running their IBM i environment as is. Another 12% plan to stay with IBM i but migrate to the cloud. These figures demonstrate the satisfaction and stability customers are experiencing with IBM i.
In conclusion, the survey highlights the significance of AS400 modernization as organizations prioritize cybersecurity and leverage the capabilities of IBM Power E1080 servers with Power10 processors.
Recognizing the importance of partnering with a trusted brand, organizations seek expertise and experience from providers like Nalahsaa Solutions to drive successful AS400 modernization initiatives. The trust in IBM i (AS400) as a reliable platform further reinforces the need for modernization to meet the challenges of remote operations. Increased adoption of Rational Developer for i (RDi) and utilization of multiple languages demonstrate the flexibility in modernization efforts.
