• Thoroughly Modern: AI Success for IBM i Organizations – Small Beginnings, Big Benefits

  December 2, 2024 John Clark

  AI is transforming how businesses operate, but for many IBM i users, the path forward feels unclear. Questions pile up: Where does one begin? How do you choose a project that delivers real results? What if AI causes more disruption than benefit?

  The challenge is real: large-scale AI projects demand significant time, resources, and expertise. There is new terminology, new skills, and a blizzard of possible tools. For most organizations, this feels out of reach. But the solution lies in starting small.

  Small AI projects solve specific problems, provide value, and build confidence without overhauls or unreasonable risk. Learn how …

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• Thoroughly Modern: The Business Case For Success And ROI With Enterprise AI On IBM i

  November 4, 2024 Monica Sanchez

  AI is the new frontier for all organizations, and those running IBM i are no exception – but how will you move AI from buzzword to business case to stand up to the boardroom test?

  To gain executive buy-in, a business case for AI must go beyond ideas. Executives need proof that AI will deliver business value and that the strategy includes a clear roadmap for AI adoption, scalability, and risk management.

  With the right approach, AI can enhance IBM i’s capabilities, from cost savings to new revenue streams. A strong business case – rooted in solid ROI, strategic …

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• Thoroughly Modern: Why Now Is The Time To Transform Your RPG/COBOL To Modern Languages

  October 7, 2024 Chris Koppe

  RPG and COBOL run some of the most important systems in business. But while your competitors release new products and features in weeks, you wait for months. That lag time is a silent threat – one that slowly erodes your competitive edge.

  Every hour spent waiting for an update, every feature delayed, is a lost opportunity. Your systems – once considered state-of-the-art – are now rigid, slow to evolve, and difficult to integrate with new technologies. While RPG/COBOL still power critical operations, they no longer support the speed and flexibility required for today’s business. The world moves faster now, and …

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• Thoroughly Modern: The Looming Talent Crisis In IBM i Management

  September 9, 2024 Lief Morin

  In today’s fast-evolving technology landscape, IBM i systems remain a bastion of reliability and efficiency for countless enterprises. Yet, as these systems continue to serve as the backbone of critical operations, a troubling trend is emerging – the professionals who know how to manage them are retiring. With an aging workforce and a scarce influx of new talent, organizations face the risk of operational disruptions.

  Picture this scenario: your last seasoned IBM i system administrator is about to retire, and the remaining team lacks the deep expertise required to manage complex system needs. This isn’t just a minor hiccup; it’s …

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• Thoroughly Modern: Proactive Solutions To Enhance IBM i Cloud Security

  August 5, 2024 Lief Morin

  IBM i systems are known for their reliability and robust security features, like object-level security, comprehensive auditing, and advanced encryption. Although most cloud journeys start out in search of economic efficiencies, enhanced security quickly becomes the primary reason why IBM i organizations choose to migrate to the cloud. So, it’s crucial to identify and remediate IBM i cloud security challenges early (and often) to realize the benefits of improved security operations for your IBM i environment in the cloud.

  A Cloud Computing Recap

  Before we dive into specific security issues, let’s quickly recap what cloud computing is. Essentially, cloud computing …

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• Thoroughly Modern: The Synon Transformation Journey, From Legacy To Modern Java Solutions

  July 8, 2024 Chris Koppe

  In today’s evolving tech landscape, companies that run CA 2E (Synon) on IBM i face significant challenges hindering progress and sustainability. Synon represents a fraction of the market share in IBM i environments, far behind RPG and COBOL, and IBM’s recent announcement to cease PL/I support in future OS versions will impact compliance for SOX-regulated and other industries.

  Moreover, shifts in ownership – from Computer Associates to Broadcom – cast doubt on Synon’s long-term viability and continued support. A dwindling pool of Synon developers, brittle applications that are difficult to integrate with modern technologies, and cryptic database structures further add …

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• Thoroughly Modern: Still Making These Six IBM i Security Faux Pas? STOP!

  June 10, 2024 Alan Hamm

  As the backbone of many enterprise IT environments, IBM i platforms are known for their robustness, reliability, and security. However, even the most resilient systems are not immune to vulnerabilities if not properly managed.

  Despite their powerful capabilities, IBM i environments often suffer from outdated security practices that can expose your organization to significant risks. This article highlights the most common IBM i security faux pas and provides actionable mitigation strategies.

  The Most Common IBM i Security Challenges

  1. Outdated Operating System

  One of the simplest yet most overlooked steps to secure an IBM i environment is to keep the …

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• Thoroughly Modern: How To Navigate IBM i Cloud Success – Beyond Migration

  May 6, 2024 Lief Morin

  The decision to migrate to the cloud is a vital part of an organization’s modernization endeavors. However, the true measure of success lies after the production applications go-live. To understand the critical role of a strategic plan, the measurements of success, and technical and process optimizations, it is essential for organizations to achieve operational excellence and realize the benefits of the IBM i cloud.

  IBM i Cloud Environments: Private, Hybrid, and Public

  In a previous article, we provided definitions of various cloud consumption models, but as a brief review, a cloud service is one that offers self-service, network access, …

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• Thoroughly Modern: Proceed With Caution With AI In The Landscape Of Cybersecurity

  April 8, 2024 Pauline Brazil Ayala

  In the fast-evolving realm of technological innovation, AI has emerged as one of the most compelling yet controversial advancements. Its potential spans industries, revolutionizing not only how data is processed but also how ideas are conceived.

  A recent study by PEW Research indicates that almost a quarter of employed Americans aged 30 to 49 have used ChatGPT for work, up from 8 percent last year. Its allure lies in automation; augmenting tasks like writing contracts and analyzing data with speed and efficiency that far surpass human limitations.

  However, with innovation comes the need for vigilance – particularly in the realm …

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• Thoroughly Modern: From Tradition To Transformation For IBM i In The Era Of Cloud And AI

  February 12, 2024 Monica Sanchez

  The value of IBM i is undeniable, especially if you are running an IBM i shop. But that does not mean IT leaders can ignore pivotal market changes in cloud, cybersecurity, and AI. These disruptive forces all have something in common – they are driving change. They are shaping operations and future strategies, pushing IT leaders to innovate.

  As we dig deeper into these transformative forces, it becomes clearer that the path forward for IBM i shops is all about continuous evolution and strategic foresight.

  Cybersecurity: Trends and Tactics

  Cybersecurity has been a major concern in the past few years. …

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