IBM POWER CLOUD OPTIONS

Every destination for your Power workloads, compared objectively

Seven paths for AIX, IBM i, and Linux on Power — weighed on cost, complexity, and fit. From a lift-and-shift to IBM's own cloud to a full replatform, we have no platform to sell, so the comparison is honest.

Don't overlook this

Moving to the cloud doesn't mean rewriting your apps

AIX and IBM i run natively on Power in the cloud. A lift-and-shift to IBM Power Virtual Server or a partner-hosted Power cloud keeps your operating system, your applications, and your runbooks intact — no re-architecture, no green-screen rewrite. For most teams it's the lowest-risk route off aging hardware.

Ask about lift-and-shift →

THE DESTINATIONS

The seven options at a glance

Option	Type	Cost	Complexity	Best for
IBM Power Virtual Server PowerVS	Cloud (IBM)	$$$	Low	AIX / IBM i lift-and-shift
Skytap on Azure Skytap	Cloud (Azure)	$$$$	Low	Azure-adjacent Power workloads
Partner-managed Power cloud Hosted MSP	Managed	$$$	Low	Hands-off operations
On-prem Power10 refresh Modernize in place	On-prem	$$$$	Low	Sovereignty & control
AIX → Linux replatform Re-architect	Migrate off Power	$$	Very high	Long-term x86 / cloud strategy
IBM i modernization IBM i / RPG	Cloud + modernize	$$$	High	Green-screen app estates
Power DR-as-a-Service DRaaS	Hybrid	$$	Moderate	Resilience without a 2nd site

IBM Power Virtual Server (PowerVS)

IBM's own IaaS for Power, running AIX, IBM i, and Linux on Power9/Power10 across global data centers. The OS and apps move largely as-is, with private connectivity into IBM Cloud and, via interconnect, the other hyperscalers.

+ Native AIX / IBM i; minimal re-architecture; OpEx billing

− Consumption cost adds up; capacity planning still matters

Best for: Teams that want off aging hardware fast without touching the application stack.

Skytap on Azure

Runs AIX, IBM i, and Linux on Power hardware located inside Azure data centers, giving traditional Power workloads low-latency access to Azure-native services. A strong fit when the rest of your estate already lives in Azure.

+ Power workloads sit next to Azure data, AI, and networking

− Premium pricing; adds an Azure commitment to manage

Best for: Azure-standardized orgs that need Power and cloud-native services in one place.

Partner-managed Power cloud

Specialist managed-service providers run Power infrastructure on your behalf in their data centers, often bundling AIX/IBM i administration, backup, and DR. You consume Power as a managed service instead of operating it yourself.

+ Offloads scarce AIX / IBM i operations skills to the provider

− Provider quality varies; contract and SLA terms matter

Best for: Lean teams that want to keep Power but stop running the hardware.

On-prem Power10 refresh

Replace end-of-support Power8/Power9 systems with current Power10 hardware in your own data center. Consolidation and per-core performance gains often shrink the footprint, and you keep full control of the environment.

+ Full data sovereignty; predictable cost after capex

− Upfront capital; you still own DC, power, and refresh cycles

Best for: Regulated or latency-sensitive shops committed to staying on-prem.

AIX → Linux replatform

Re-architect AIX applications onto Linux running on x86 or a hyperscaler — the only path that fully exits the Power platform. High effort and risk, but it removes Power licensing and hardware from the long-term picture entirely.

+ Eliminates Power dependency; opens the full cloud-native market

− Longest, riskiest path; app recompile, test, and possible rewrite

Best for: Orgs with a strategic mandate to leave proprietary Unix behind.

IBM i modernization

Move IBM i (formerly AS/400) workloads to cloud-hosted Power while modernizing the experience — web and API front-ends over RPG/COBOL business logic, without a full rewrite. Migration and modernization run in parallel.

+ Preserves decades of business logic; modern UX and integration

− Scarce IBM i skills; modernization scope needs tight control

Best for: IBM i shops needing cloud hosting plus a path off green screens.

Power Disaster-Recovery-as-a-Service

Keep production on-prem but replicate AIX/IBM i workloads to a cloud Power target for failover — often the first step teams take before a full migration. It removes the cost of a second physical DR site while proving out cloud Power before committing.

+ Resilience without a second data center; a low-risk on-ramp

− Not a migration in itself; production still runs on aging hardware

Best for: Teams that want DR coverage now and a staged path to cloud later.

Lift-and-shift, or modernize?

Your OS mix, hardware support dates, application age, and DR posture all change the answer. Our assessment narrows seven options down to the right one or two for your environment — objectively.

Get my recommendation →

Let's find your best Power path — honestly

We'll assess your AIX, IBM i, and Linux on Power estate and tell you which option actually fits.

Request a migration assessment