AS400 Cloud

In the dynamic technology landscape, things that were once the domain of physical hardware are shifting to the virtually limitless realm of the cloud. AS400 cloud solutions represent the evolution of IBM’s long-standing AS/400 system. Known formally as IBM iSeries, this advanced business computing system has received a modern-day makeover, pushing it from on-premise deployments straight into the world of cloud computing. 

IBM AS400 cloud refers to the migration of IBM applications, known for their reliability, security, and scalability, into a cloud environment. The main advantage of this shift lies in the increased flexibility that comes with cloud-based offerings, making functionality and storage scalable based on individual business requirements. For businesses using the AS400 system, this shift can translate into:

• Significant cost savings
• Increased efficacy
• Improved ability to respond to evolving business dynamics

The AS400, officially known as IBM System i, is a series of mini-computers designed by IBM as a turnkey computing solution for businesses. Known for their user-friendly interface, comprehensive business applications and database systems, and near-faultless uptime, the AS400 systems have been the powerhouse of many businesses for decades. However, with the advent of the cloud, the AS400 modernization process was set into motion, aiming to leverage the advantages of cloud computing while retaining the beneficial elements of the classic AS400 architecture. 

IBM i cloud is a term synonymous with AS400 cloud, and it represents the same shift of the IBM i Series to a cloud-based platform. This transition offers numerous benefits, such as:

• The ability to access your system from anywhere
• Improved disaster recovery capabilities
• The flexibility to scale up or down based on your business needs

When it comes to IBM i hosting, various service providers offer different options. Some providers offer full cloud migration, while others provide hybrid solutions combining both on-premise and cloud resources. Regardless of the solution, the goal remains the same: to allow businesses to leverage the tools of the IBM i Series without the physical constraints and management requirements associated with traditional hardware servers. 

Moving further into IBM i cloud hosting, we notice the same advantages, as well as significant cost savings. Without the need to invest in maintaining physical hardware, businesses can streamline expenses and direct resources to areas that directly promote growth and development. Best of all, because IBM i can adapt to virtually any business environment, these benefits are not limited to any one kind of business or industry.

AS400 Migration to Cloud

Migration AS400 to the cloud is an essential discussion for businesses that want to:

• Streamline their operations
• Leverage advanced tech solutions
• Enhance data security
• Unlock other benefits of a cloud computing environment

Initiating an AS400 migration to the cloud deploys a comprehensive process that requires careful analysis, systematic planning, and efficient execution. Businesses often recruit service providers specializing in IBM iSeries cloud hosting to facilitate smooth migration, eliminate potential roadblocks, and ensure minimal downtime. A critical component to consider during migration is the choice of an AS400 cloud provider. This decision shapes the business’s overall cloud strategy, which, in turn, significantly impacts its operational efficiency and scalability. Notably, companies favor IBM AS400 cloud hosting owing to its unmatched reliability and robust security features. 

Delving deeper into the processes, AS400 cloud migration smoothly transitions systems and databases to the cloud, enhancing their accessibility and storage management. This technology shift showcases the advantages of a virtual environment, allowing for increased productivity and more streamlined workflows. 

There is, of course, a notable emphasis on IBM AS400 cloud computing. This leading-edge technology utilizes the benefits of cloud computing to deliver powerful, flexible, and scalable solutions. By migrating to IBM AS400 cloud computing, businesses can operate their systems with unmatched efficiency while ensuring iron-clad security for their data. 

Another area of particular interest is AS400 cloud backup. This feature becomes critical in a data-driven era where businesses contain a whopping amount of sensitive proprietary data. Cloud backup offers:

• Superior data recovery options
• Increased security
• Improved business continuity during unforeseen disasters or data breaches 

When considering AS400 cloud hosting, think about the benefits of this technology for your business. High scalability, improved resource allocation, and the ability to support a remote workforce are just the tip of the iceberg. Additionally, AS400 cloud hosting facilitates significant cost savings as businesses no longer need to invest in expensive infrastructural upkeep and can instead only pay for the computing resources they use. 

Migrating AS400 to the cloud is a strategic move with profound long-term benefits. Whether it is having an AS400 migration roadmap or a firm grasp of associated technicalities like iSeries cloud hosting, choice of AS400 cloud providers, and cloud backup, businesses need to tread carefully to ensure a successful migration. 

AS400 Application Modernization

Embarking upon the process of AS400 application modernization can be a daunting task, particularly given the legacy nature of AS400 systems. You can get more value from the data stored within these systems and achieve robust performance by exploring the opportunities offered by cloud technologies. This potentially transformative move to the cloud can catapult your legacy systems into the future. 

AS400 application modernization is about more than fine-tuning individual applications running on legacy infrastructure. It’s about migrating entire workloads to a modern cloud platform like Azure. This process is called “workload migration”. The modernization approach:

• Reduces data silos
• Enhances security
• Supports scalabilit

Enhancing the capabilities of your applications to meet current and future business demands is possible through a proper cloud modernization strategy. Crafting a strategy involves robust planning and keen foresight. One must consider technical requirements related to performance, security, and compliance. The process also involves understanding the needs of end users, thereby leading to an improved overall experience. There’s long-term planning involved too, which includes the roadmap for application updates. 

Cloud migration has become more simplified with a host of application modernization tools readily available in the market. An integral part of the modernization process is legacy data migration. Navigating this requires a deep understanding of data schema, taking necessary precautions to maintain data integrity, and ensuring smooth conversion of data structures. The integration of legacy systems into new environments is a critical task, but with careful planning, the process can be seamless. 

Legacy application migration is another important part of AS400 application modernization. This means updating old code and applications to run optimally on modern infrastructure. It could involve re-hosting, re-platforming, re-architecting, or even rebuilding certain components of the application. The choice of strategy predominantly depends upon the specific needs and demands of the business. Not all application migrations are the same. Skytap on Azure is unique because it allows businesses to migrate applications as-is to the cloud without time consuming re-writing or refactoring.

To better understand the process, let’s consider an application modernization example. A company using an AS400-based inventory management system could modernize it by moving it to the Azure cloud. The system can leverage Azure’s artificial intelligence capabilities for predictive inventory management. Such a transition will mean moving the application code, data, user interfaces, and associated functionalities from the legacy system to the cloud platform. 

A robust application modernization framework aids in this process. This framework will include steps for assessment, planning, migration, testing, and post-migration activities. It will also consider factors like cost, business continuity, user training, and risk management. Careful adherence to this framework can help steer the modernization project towards success. 

In conclusion, AS400 application modernization can be a major boon for businesses. Migrating to Azure cloud can remarkably boost scalability, flexibility, and system performance while reducing costs and improving security. The process requires careful planning, but with a clear strategy, the right tools, and a steadfast team in place, you can not only modernize your legacy applications but also power your business to new heights in the digital world.

AS400 Cloud Journey with Skytap

Skytap offers your business a simple and low-risk path to the cloud for IBM Power workloads. You can migrate IBM Power workloads without refactoring, rewriting, or re-platforming. Sign up for a Skytap on Azure account in the Azure marketplace today. Alternatively, contact us to schedule a demo.