AS400 Application GUI Modernization: The Key to Your Success?

As a loyal IBM i user, are you riddled about whether to maintain the green screen legacy AS400 systems or go with AS400 GUI modernization?

According to Forrester Consulting Study commissioned by IBM — Modernizing existing applications and infrastructure is a top digital transformation goal for over 40% of IT decision-makers.

AS400 modernization is indeed a popular choice among technology leaders of today.

Though, it is a significant decision, and demands a 360-degree approach to make the decision worth counting on.

Today, we are going to explore:

· Is modernization a suitable choice for your business?

· If yes, what are the most promising practices?

· How will it impact your business?

Join us as we unravel the intricacies of the AS400 application GUI modernization.

Let’s find the right answers!

First things first, Why Modernize Your AS400 Application GUI?

Why modernize if everything is going well with the time-tested green screen?

Well, continuing with the old system is like denying the multiple benefits you didn’t realize you needed.

· The AS400 system has an old look and feel. Although users are familiar with its interface, it is difficult for employees to access the software. The modern GUI is like replacing your old car’s dashboard with a touchscreen — Easy and intuitive without extensive training.

· The old green screen is great, but it cannot handle your mounting workload and increasing demands, efficiently. The transformative GUI can handle a large volume of workloads without slowing down.

· Moreover, it brings you the benefit of working from anywhere, saving on huge maintenance costs, and keeping your data safe.

Overall, you need to modernize your IBM i application to stay ahead of the competition, unlock enhanced security features, and enjoy a desired experience for your business’s future growth.

What Are the Consequences of Delaying /400 Application GUI Modernization?

Your ‘’I will think over it’’ approach can have multiple serious consequences, directly impacting your business’s growth.

It can invite the following problems:

User Frustration

The outdated AS/400 can be complicated, poorly intuitive, and difficult to use, leading to employee frustration. It can have a twofold impact: Firstly, the employees can have lower job satisfaction and secondly, the customers can face barriers in interacting with your business.

Security Vulnerabilities

The poor security infrastructure of the AS400 legacy system is prone to modern cyber threats and data breaches. It can translate into legal liabilities, loss of customer trust, and irreparable damage to your reputation.

Customer Dissatisfaction

Thriving businesses keep customer satisfaction as a top priority. When customers experience easy interfaces that fail to serve their purpose, it tarnishes their experience, reducing customer loyalty, increasing churn rate, and negative mouth publicity, which ultimately harms your brand’s reputation.

Regulatory Compliance Risks

Your business must follow its legal commitments to preserve other people’s health, safety, and well-being. The legacy AS400 systems may struggle to meet the complaints standards, inviting financial penalties and legal consequences. Failure to meet these rules can shoo away potential opportunities and customers who prioritize regulatory adherence.

What do you gain from AS400 GUI Modernization?

There are powerful benefits that you can leverage to gain a competitive edge in the digital era. Such as-

· Making the most of the IBM i platform to meet the challenges of the 21st-century workforce.

· The platform’s usefulness is correlated to your organization’s efficiency and productivity.

· AS400 application modernization reduces the burden of outdated features.

· Getting an upper hand in the market among your competitors.

· Reduce the application adoption to cut down application costs and training time.

How long does the AS400 modernization take?

It largely depends on the complexity of your project and the expertise of your AS400 consultant.

A qualified AS400 expert drafts a robust plan, identifies the bottleneck, prepares a sound strategy, and delivers it within the promised timeline of months or years.

You can also opt for a gradual or all-at-once approach.

However, we, with our 25+ years of AS400 development experience suggest you take an incremental route considering the complexity of the mission-critical applications of your business.

The Incremental Approach to AS400 Application GUI Modernization allows you to plan, prioritize, and migrate the application at your convenience.

Is AS400 Application GUI Modernization right for your business?

It need not be a hard nut to crack if you take a manifold approach to decide whether AS400 Application GUI Modernization is right for your business.

Firstly, assess your current AS400 system’s performance and your pain points.

Consider -

- User feedback

- Security challenges

- Scalability limitations

And secondly, determine your objectives with the AS400 modernization.

Starting with -

- Reducing maintenance costs

- Getting a competitive edge

- Enhancing user experience

- Upholding compliance

Mention all your goals, right next to you, where you can see them all together.

Don’t go with the crowd and overlook the technical feasibility and their compatibility with modern technologies.

Once you have all the required information at hand, talk to reliable AS400 consultants to gain valuable and actionable insights to make a well-informed decision.

What are the different techniques used to transform Legacy Screen to GUI?

There are multiple techniques offered by IBM to transform legacy green screens into GUI interfaces.

The choice is yours to make depending on factors including -

- Legacy technology

- Desired user experience

- Budget allocation

The popular AS400 Application GUI Modernization techniques are:

1. AS400 to cloud migration

2. Modernization platforms

3. Middleware integration

4. Mobile optimization

5. Hybrid approaches

6. Terminal emulation

7. Web enablement

8. API integration

9. Reengineering

It is recommended to consult with IBM i professionals with significant modernization experience before you finalize the technique.

What techniques are helpful to change the user interface of AS400 applications while retaining the data?

This is a most asked question and here is your answer.

The following techniques can help you control the data while transforming the user interface:

1. API Integration

2. Screen Scraping

3. Web Enablement

4. Hybrid Approaches

5. Middleware Integration

6. Modernization Platforms

Consult a reliable AS/400 modernization services provider before you make the choice to make an informed decision.

What are the costs and expected returns of the AS400 GUI Modernization?

Here is an overview of the expected cost and returns of the AS400/IBM i GUI Modernization Services.

The cost includes

- Integration costs

- Development costs

- Data migration costs

- Testing & quality assurance

- required hardware & infrastructure

- Consulting, and AS400 consultancy costs

- Costs to train employees for the new interface and functions

You can reap the modernization benefits in truly impressive ways, including:

- Improved user efficiency

- Enhanced user productivity

- Reducing manual labour costs

- Increased user satisfaction with user-friendly interface

- Reduced cost of maintaining the expensive legacy systems

- Competitive position in the market attracting new customers

- Empowered business decisions with better access to data and analytics

What metrics should you measure for the success of AS400 application GUI modernization?

After the successful AS400 modernization process, here are the key metrics to evaluate the project’s success:

The AS400 Application GUI Modernization is a hit if:

- There’re lower error rates and glitches

- The downtime is reduced as a positive sign

- There’re fewer security issues and more peace of mind

- The users report high user satisfaction with the new GUI

- The employees showcase better productivity and higher efficiency

- There’s a higher rate of employee and customer adoption of the new IBM i GUI

- There’s an impressive return on the AS400 application modernization investment

- There is higher cost saving in terms of operational, maintenance, and support expenses

What are the AS400/IBM i Modernization GUI services available?
Here are the top 8 services availed by the decision-makers:

1. Screen scraping