IBM i modernization without replatforming
You don't have to rewrite decades of RPG and COBOL to modernize IBM i. Keep the business logic on Power and wrap it in modern interfaces, often while you move to the cloud.
The instinct to "get off the AS/400" usually means rewriting working RPG and COBOL onto another platform, an expensive, high-risk project that throws away decades of proven business logic. Modernization without replatforming takes the opposite approach: keep the core on IBM i, in the cloud, on Power, and modernize around it with new interfaces, APIs, and tooling over the same logic. Migration and modernization run in parallel, with no rewrite.
What modernizing in place looks like
- Web and mobile UIs over 5250 / green-screen applications
- REST APIs over RPG/COBOL programs and Db2 for i data
- Integration with cloud-native and third-party services
- Modern developer tooling, RDi, Git, and CI/CD, on IBM i
- An incremental, value-first rollout rather than a big-bang rewrite
Why teams choose it
- Preserves decades of business logic and data integrity
- Far lower risk and cost than a full rewrite or replatform
- Modern UX and integration without leaving a reliable platform
- Focuses scarce IBM i skills on value, not re-coding what works
Pair modernization with a move to IBM i cloud hosting on Power and you get off aging hardware and modernize the experience at the same time, one coordinated program instead of two competing ones.
Frequently asked questions
Can I modernize IBM i without rewriting RPG and COBOL?
Yes. You keep the business logic running on IBM i and add modern web UIs, APIs, and tooling around it. The proven core stays in place, no rewrite required.
What does "without replatforming" actually mean?
It means you don't move the application to a different platform such as x86 or Java. The core stays on IBM i; only the surface, interfaces, APIs, and developer tooling, modernizes.
Is modernizing in place risky?
Far less risky than a rewrite. It's incremental and value-first, so you modernize one piece at a time and keep delivering, instead of betting the business on a big-bang cutover.
Can I modernize and move to the cloud at the same time?
Yes, and it's often the most efficient path: cloud-host the IBM i core on Power and modernize the experience as one coordinated program, rather than two competing projects.
What modernization-in-place looks like
You can modernize the experience without rewriting the core. Two representative examples.
Situation. Green-screen order entry slowing onboarding, but rock-solid RPG logic underneath.
Approach. Host IBM i on cloud Power, then layer a web UI and APIs over the unchanged business logic.
Outcome. A modern interface for staff and partners, with the system of record left exactly as proven.
Situation. IBM i data trapped behind the green screen, but needed by newer cloud apps.
Approach. Expose Db2 for i through APIs incrementally, with no change to the core programs.
Outcome. IBM i feeding modern apps in weeks-long increments, with a rollback path at every step.
Representative scenarios reflect common IBM Power migration patterns and typical ranges, not specific named client engagements.
A modernization-readiness checklist
You can move to cloud Power and modernize the front-end without touching the RPG and COBOL underneath. These questions tell you where to start, and what to leave alone.
Modernize IBM i without the rewrite
We'll map an incremental path, cloud-host the core and add modern interfaces, sized to your estate.
Free, no obligation. We respond within one business day.