Navigating the New Year: A Checklist for IBM i (AS400) B2B Companies

B2B companies using IBM i (AS400) systems are at an exciting turning point. With technology evolving, it's a great time to be proactive and stay ahead while keeping everything secure. In this blog post, we've created a helpful checklist for IBM i users, highlighting key priorities for 2025 and beyond. From enhancing security to modernizing systems, we'll explore the important areas that deserve your attention as we embrace the new year.

Security and Compliance

As cybercriminals develop new tactics and techniques, adopt a proactive and comprehensive approach to safeguard your systems and data. Here are some key actions to consider that will help enhance your defenses and protect your business from potential breaches: With cyber threats rising, keeping your IBM i system secure is more important than ever.

Key Information Security Actions for your IBM i (AS400)

• Conduct thorough security audits: Run thorough security checkups to see how your system's defenses are holding up. These checkups should review your security setup, spot any weak spots, and see how well your current security measures work. By looking at your system, you can find areas that need a little boost and make the necessary tweaks to strengthen your security.
• Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA is like adding an extra lock on your door by asking users to provide a few different types of verification before they can access important systems and data. This might be a mix of something they know (like a password), something they have (like a smartphone or security token), and something they are (like a fingerprint). By using MFA, you can cut down on the chances of unauthorized access and make your system much safer.
• Enhance logging and auditing processes: Set up advanced logging tools that gather detailed info about what users are doing, any system changes, and who’s trying to access what. Make it a habit to regularly check these logs to spot anything unusual that might hint at a security issue. By having a strong logging and auditing setup, you can quickly catch and tackle potential threats, keeping your business running smoothly.
• Review and update security policies: It's a good idea to regularly check and refresh your security policies to make sure they match up with the latest industry standards and best practices. This means taking a look at access control policies, data protection measures, and how you handle incidents. By keeping your security policies current, you build a solid foundation for safeguarding your IBM i system and staying in line with regulatory requirements.

Tip: Leverage IBM i Navigator for centralized security management to streamline your efforts.

Modernization and Innovation

IBM i users find themselves at a crossroads of tradition and innovation. The robust and reliable IBM i platform continues to be a cornerstone for many businesses, but the rapid pace of technological advancement demands a forward-thinking approach, crucial for business growth.

Tips for Keeping your IBM i (AS400) Current  

• Evaluate applications for opportunities: Begin by conducting a comprehensive review of your existing applications to identify areas where modernization can enhance performance, improve user experience, and increase efficiency. This might involve updating legacy systems, integrating new technologies, or redesigning workflows to better align with current business needs.
• Explore IBM i 7.4: Delve into the latest features offered by IBM i 7.4, with a particular focus on the Db2 mirror technology. This feature provides continuous availability by allowing two Db2 databases to be mirrored in real-time, ensuring that your business operations can continue without interruption even in the event of a system failure. By leveraging this technology, you can enhance your system's reliability and minimize downtime.
• Investigate AI and machine learning integration possibilities:  These technologies can offer significant benefits, such as automating routine tasks, providing predictive analytics, and enhancing decision-making processes. By incorporating AI and machine learning, you can unlock new insights from your data and drive innovation within your organization.

Best Practice: Focus on improving user experience while maintaining the core strengths of IBM i.

Data Management and Analytics

Handling your data effectively gives you a competitive edge and can boost your business operations and decision-making. Here are some actions to focus on to make sure your data management strategies are strong and future-ready.

Data Management Strategies for your IBM i (AS400) System

• Implement the new security data mart for efficient audit journal storage: Establish a dedicated security data mart to streamline the storage and retrieval of audit journals. This approach not only enhances the efficiency of data management but also strengthens your security posture by providing a centralized repository for audit logs. By organizing and managing these logs effectively, you can quickly access critical information during security audits and investigations, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards.
• Explore big data analytics integration: By using advanced analytics tools and techniques, you can dive into heaps of data to uncover trends, patterns, and connections that might have been hiding before. This approach helps you make smart, data-driven decisions, fine-tune your business processes, and stay ahead of the competition. Try tapping into machine learning and predictive analytics to get a glimpse of future trends and customer behaviors, which can really boost your strategic planning and make your operations run smoother.
• Optimize database performance with Visual Explain in ACS: Give the Visual Explain tool in Access Client Solutions (ACS) a try to boost your database performance. This handy tool offers a visual look at SQL query execution plans, helping you spot any slow spots or hiccups in your database operations. By diving into these execution plans, you can tweak your SQL queries, indexes, and database settings to make your applications faster and more responsive. Keep an eye on and fine-tune your database performance regularly to ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently, supporting your business's growth and success.

Tip: Regularly review and optimize SQL queries to maintain peak performance.

High Availability and Disaster Recovery

Keeping your business running smoothly is a must, especially when unexpected hiccups come your way. It's all about making sure operations bounce back quickly, protecting your reputation and financial health. 

Protecting your IBM i (AS400) from a Disaster

• Review and update HA/DR strategies: Take a moment to give your High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) strategies a good look. It's all about checking how well they work to keep downtime and data loss at bay when unexpected things happen. By keeping these strategies fresh and up-to-date, you can make sure your business is ready to tackle any bumps in the road smoothly and confidently.
• Explore the latest HA and DR enhancements in IBM i: Keep up with the latest and greatest in IBM's High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) features. These updates can boost your system's performance, and reliability, and make management a breeze, giving your business top-notch solutions to keep things running smoothly. By embracing these innovations, you can make your system tougher and ensure your business keeps humming along, no matter what challenges come your way.
• Conduct regular recovery procedure tests: Set up a regular schedule to test your recovery procedures, making sure they're ready to roll smoothly when needed. These tests are like a friendly check-up, helping you spot any weak spots or gaps in your plans so you can tweak things before any real trouble hits. By keeping up with these tests, you'll not only feel more confident in your recovery strategies but also ensure your team is all set to jump into action quickly and efficiently.

Best Practice: Consider cloud-based DR solutions for added flexibility and resilience.

Skill Development and Training

Your team is your greatest asset, and investing in their development is crucial for your organization's success. Focus on the following strategies to ensure your team is well-equipped to meet the demands of the evolving IBM i environment.

Investing in your IBM i (AS400) Development Team

• Assess team skills and identify knowledge gaps: Start by taking a friendly look at your team's current skills. This means spotting where they shine and finding any areas where they might need a little extra help to thrive in the IBM i world. Use tools like assessments, surveys, and performance reviews to get a good feel for everyone's strengths and areas for growth. By understanding these gaps, you can create training programs that fit just right, making sure your team is ready to tackle new challenges and make the most of emerging technologies.
• Plan training on new IBM i features and security best practices: Create a friendly training plan that highlights the latest IBM i features and security best practices. Mix in some formal training sessions, fun workshops, and hands-on exercises so your team can get comfortable with new tools and technologies. It's super important to keep up with security protocols to keep your systems safe from any threats. By giving your team the latest knowledge and skills, you'll help them boost system performance and ensure your 
  IBM i environment is secure and running smoothly.
• Encourage IBM i administration and security certifications: Motivate your team to pursue IBM i administration and security certifications. These certifications not only validate their expertise but also enhance their professional credibility and career prospects. Provide support by offering study materials, covering certification exam fees, and recognizing achievements. Encouraging certification demonstrates your commitment to their professional growth and ensures that your team remains at the forefront of industry standards and practices.

Tip: Take advantage of IBM's extensive training resources and documentation. If gaps exist don't hesitate to reach out to outside IBM i consulting resources.

IBM i (AS400) Trends to Watch in 2025

The trends being discussed within the IBM i community focus on a future where the classic strengths of IBM i blend with the latest technologies, paving the way for fresh innovation and growth.

1. Integration of generative AI in business applications
2. Enhanced RPG capabilities and modernization
3. Continued emphasis on hybrid cloud deployments
4. Increased focus on secure software supply chains
5. Cloud-native unified threat management platforms
6. AI-driven security and compliance controls

Ready to Kickstart 2025

To get ready for the exciting challenges and opportunities that 2025 has in store, it's a great idea to start with a readiness evaluation. Here are some easy steps to kick off your journey:

1. Schedule a team meeting to review this checklist
2. Identify your top three priority areas for improvement
3. Develop an action plan for each priority
4. Set measurable goals and timelines for implementation

Planning ahead shapes the future. By anticipating challenges, you can help your organization thrive. Start securing and innovating your IBM i environment by assessing systems, identifying improvements, and implementing solutions. Your business's success in 2025 and beyond depends on a clear vision and a strategic plan to maximize your IBM i systems.