AS400 GUI modernization involves updating the graphical user interface (GUI) of IBM AS/400 (now IBM i) applications to align with contemporary design standards and user expectations. This process typically includes enhancing the visual appeal, usability, and functionality of legacy AS400 applications by implementing modern UI elements, improving navigation, and optimizing user workflows. The goal is to enhance user experience, productivity, and the overall competitiveness of AS400-based systems in today's digital landscape.

How Can AS400 GUI Modernization Help You?

Get past these challenges that you face in everyday workflows.

Manual Labor

Workflows are stuck in silos & often require manual intervention.

Manual Labor
Limited Access

Users have a limited degree of freedom with the default AS400/iSeries features.

Limited Access
Low Productivity

The productivity of the in-house IT team dips, slowing the overall pace of the organization.

Low Productivity
User Satisfaction

Working on green screens can bring down the happiness quotient by leaps & bounds.

User Satisfaction
Enterprises are hesitant to take a step as it requires replacing or rewriting systems, which incurs time, expense, and risk.

The Solution Quadrant - Tailored to your needs

Choose What Works For You

RPG Open Access allows programmers to access modern technologies within the existing RPG code by specifying programs that connect the modern tech to the RPG architecture. Open access (handler procedure) calls the existing program to complete I/O ops using tools.

RPG Open Access at a glance:

Developed by IBM

Get data from RPG

Uses existing RPG skillset

Bypasses 5250 data streams

Tools of trade
Pros:

  • Quickest fix
  • No load on 5250 data streams
  • Minimal AS400 modernization effort
Cons:

  • Underlying monolithic system
  • Requires proprietary tools
  • Requires coding for handler programs

This approach is focused to elevate the usability and flexibility of AS400 systems from the users’ perspective without tinkering with the underlying code.

Screen Re-facing at a glance:

‘Read n Write’ Data

Host HTML/CSS webpages

Quick turnaround time

No changes in the code

Tools of trade
Pros:

  • Quick & easy to implement
  • Multiple IDEs available
  • Faster turnaround
Cons:

  • Old HTML/CSS webpages
  • Requires proprietary tools
  • Underlying monolithic system

This method enables AS400 organizations to expose the features of their system as APIs to facilitate information exchange with internal and external systems.

Api & UI Framework at a glance:

Create new screens

Leverage REST APIs

Componentized

Future Ready Design

Tools of trade
Pros:

  • Future-ready architecture
  • Multi-vendor support
  • Lightweight services & APIs
  • AS400 modules used
Cons:

  • Long-term project
  • Requires proprietary tools
  • AS400 dependent

It involves an IBM i toolkit for an easy deployment of modern applications which aids the RPG programmers get a flexible programming environment while modernizing the 5250 green screens.

Zend PHP at a glance:

Runs native on AS400

Seamless integration

Object-oriented code

Integrated runtime envir.

Pros:

  • Easy from a technical standpoint as it uses a popular web language
  • Native integration with AS400
Cons:

  • Legacy system dependency
  • Installation of an additional Zend server

What will you gain?

With a modern AS400/IBMi system

Enhanced Productivity

With the green screens gone, users experience a surge in productivity.

Mobile/Web enablement

Expand the reach of your native AS400 system to mobile & web.

Easier Multitasking

Users can now switch between tasks with greater fluidity.

User Trainings

User trainings are simplified, yield better results and are less time consuming.

Reduced Costs

Increase AS400 adoption and cut down on training time and costs.

Pre- requisites

To be addressed before you take the first step

Benefits that you will experience
Training

Training plan for users who’ll move from the 5250 green screens to modern screens.

Timeframe

Decide on the timeline for moving the userbase to the modern system.

Build Vs Buy

Evaluate options to leverage the desired modernization tool.

Scale

Understand the scale at which you’d like to modernize the system.

Our Approach

To a Better AS400/iSeries

Our Approach
Assess
  • Set & Prioritize goals
  • Define deliverables
  • Create modernization schedule
  • Risk assessment
Analyze
  • System assessment
  • Define objectives
  • Evaluate enhancements
  • Sign-off on need
Plan
  • Eligible modernization candidates
  • Freeze the approach
  • Finalize tools
  • Project plan sign-off
Implement
  • Create blueprints
  • Modernize UI
  • Complete testing
  • UAT & Go-live
Support
  • System maintenance
  • Enhancements & fixes
  • User training
  • Documentation

Our Approach

To a Better AS400/iSeries

Assess
  • Set & Prioritize goals
  • Define deliverables
  • Create modernization schedule
  • Risk assessment
Analyze
  • System assessment
  • Define objectives
  • Evaluate enhancements
  • Sign-off on need
Plan
  • Eligible modernization candidates
  • Freeze the approach
  • Finalize tools
  • Project plan sign-off
Implement
  • Create blueprints
  • Modernize UI
  • Complete testing
  • UAT & Go-live
Support
  • System maintenance
  • Enhancements & fixes
  • User training
  • Documentation

Kick Start your Modernization Journey

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