Like all technology, IBM i faces challenges that could impact its future viability.
First and foremost, IBM i has a bit of an image problem. C-level leaders tend to consider IBM i “legacy” tech. However, IBM i has undergone significant evolution over its nearly 40-year-long history, integrating features that make it compatible with modern cloud environments and capable of supporting sophisticated business applications. Its integrated database, robust security, and high availability continue to be ideal for companies seeking technological efficiency and innovation.
An additional (and related) challenge is the persistent skills gap. Most experienced IBM i programmers and administrators are nearing retirement, creating an urgent need for a new generation of developers and administrators who are proficient in RPG, Db2, and other core IBM i technologies. Unfortunately, the perception that IBM i is an old dog with few new tricks means that most young developers prefer to make their career in other technologies, like cloud SaaS or web development.
A critical factor for IBM i’s future success will be attracting new developers and application vendors. This requires modernizing the platform's development environment to appeal to the current generation of developers. By embracing open-source tools and fostering innovation, IBM i can become a platform for state-of-the-art applications that incorporate AI, machine learning, and other advanced technologies.
The future of IBM i also depends on its ability to adapt to modern demands for AI and cloud solutions. As businesses increasingly rely on data-driven insights and flexible, cloud-based services, IBM i must evolve to meet these needs. This evolution involves integrating AI capabilities, enhancing cloud interoperability, and ensuring that the platform remains competitive in performance and scalability.
To address the skills gap, IBM and its partners are offering training programs and certifications designed to upskill both new and existing professionals. IBM also fosters a strong support ecosystem, exemplified by the COMMON community, which provides a vital network of users and advocates who are dedicated to the platform's success. The community fosters innovation and knowledge sharing, which is essential for IBM i's growth and adaptation.
i-Rays: A Critical Part of the IBM i Ecosystem
i-Rays, a key player in IBM i observability solutions, is also helping relieve the pressure. i-Rays is an AI-powered observability and tuning solution purpose-built for IBM i that helps IBM i administrators identify and address problems at the root - before they become operational risks. Its clear, actionable diagnostics ease the challenge of limited IBM i expertise, allowing new administrators to become productive faster, without years of IBM i expertise. i-Rays also unlocks IBM i system health data for use in unified dashboards, meaning non-IBM i staff can keep an eye on performance.
Beyond the skills gap, i-Rays is contributing to the IBM i revival by bringing operational security into line with modern systems. Its precise, actionable diagnostics reduce mean time to resolution and allow for end-to-end traceability. Additionally, its machine learning-powered recommendations, based on autonomous learning of a system’s behavior, are helping IBM i teams fine-tune performance and optimize workloads.
While each solution alone cannot ensure the survival and growth of IBM i, together these efforts can overcome the challenges associated with IBM i. Through collaboration with IBM and the technology community, i-Rays is driving innovation and supporting a new era of growth for IBM i, positioning it as a viable platform for future business applications.
