# **How Can IBM AS/400 Help Businesses Compete in the Digital Era?** ![IBM- iSeries -AS400 Consulting -Services](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HJfFgeN2xg.png) ## Introduction The digital era is defined by speed, flexibility, and innovation. Cloud-native platforms, AI-driven analytics, and customer-centric applications dominate today’s IT strategies. Yet, amid all this transformation, IBM AS/400-rebranded as IBM iSeries and more recently IBM i-continues to power mission-critical systems for businesses worldwide. This raises an important question for CIOs and IT leaders: Can a system introduced in 1988 really help companies compete in 2025’s digital-first economy? The answer, surprisingly, is yes. But the way enterprises use AS/400 today looks very different from its past. **From Legacy Core to Digital Partner** **Reliability in a Volatile Market** Few systems can claim the operational resilience of AS/400. Even now, enterprises report uptime levels that newer platforms struggle to match. In industries like banking, logistics, and manufacturing-where downtime means lost revenue and reputational damage-AS/400 remains a steady backbone. **Security That Endures** Cybersecurity continues to be one of the top IT challenges in 2025. AS/400’s built-in security model, with object-level access controls, makes it inherently more secure than many modern platforms. Businesses enhance this with modern monitoring tools to meet evolving compliance demands. **Data as a Competitive Asset** Modern enterprises thrive on data. While AS/400 was not originally designed for AI or big data, its databases hold decades of business-critical information. With today’s integration tools, this data can now be tapped to fuel analytics, predictive insights, and digital innovation. **The Digital Era Demands:** How AS/400 Keeps Up Seamless Cloud Integration Hybrid IT is the new normal. Enterprises use APIs and middleware to connect AS/400 with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and IBM Cloud. This allows businesses to extend core workloads without abandoning reliable legacy systems. **API-First Connections** AS/400 applications can be modernized to expose APIs, enabling connections with customer-facing apps, CRMs, and eCommerce platforms. For example, a manufacturer in Chicago can link its AS/400 ERP with a cloud-based sales portal to provide real-time product availability. **Support for AI and Machine Learning** Predictive analytics and AI-driven insights are becoming mainstream. By integrating AS/400 databases with advanced analytics tools, businesses extract more value from their historical data while applying machine learning models for smarter decision-making. **Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery** With natural disasters and cyber threats on the rise, resilience is a top competitive factor. AS/400’s ability to anchor robust disaster recovery strategies keeps organizations operational in high-pressure scenarios. **Real-World Competitive Advantages** Financial Services: Banks leverage AS/400 for secure, high-volume transaction processing while connecting to AI-based fraud detection platforms. **Manufacturing:** Decades of production data stored in AS/400 systems can now feed predictive analytics, helping optimize supply chains. **Retail:** AS/400 inventory systems integrate with omnichannel platforms, ensuring accurate real-time stock visibility for both online and in-store customers. **Public Sector:** Government agencies rely on AS/400 for stability and compliance, while layering digital services on top for citizen-facing applications. **Why Consulting Services Are Key in 2025** One of the biggest challenges isn’t the platform itself but the people. Skilled AS/400 professionals are retiring, creating a talent gap. This is where IBM iSeries AS400 consulting services play a critical role. **Consultants help businesses:** * Modernize AS/400 applications with cloud-ready integrations. * Optimize performance to handle today’s digital workloads. * Design hybrid IT strategies that blend legacy stability with innovation. * Provide training and managed services to ensure continuity. * By bridging the skills gap, consulting services enable organizations to focus on growth rather than system limitations. FAQs 1. How can AS/400 support digital transformation initiatives? By integrating with cloud, APIs, and analytics platforms, AS/400 systems extend their value into digital-first strategies. 2. Is AS/400 still secure in today’s cyber environment? Yes. Its architecture provides strong native security, and with modern monitoring tools, it meets today’s compliance requirements. 3. Can AS/400 systems work with AI and machine learning tools? Indirectly, yes. AS/400 data can be exported and integrated into AI and machine learning platforms for smarter insights. 4. What industries benefit most from AS/400 today? Industries like finance, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and government still rely heavily on AS/400 for mission-critical operations. 5. How do consulting services add value for AS/400 users? They provide modernization strategies, integration expertise, and ongoing support, helping businesses compete in a digital-first marketplace. **Conclusion:** IBM AS/400 isn’t holding businesses back-it’s enabling them to compete when paired with modern strategies. In 2025, the system’s reliability, security, and deep integration into enterprise operations make it a powerful asset, not a liability. With the support of ***[IBM iSeries AS400 consulting services](https://www.unitedtechno.com/ibm-iseries-as400-consulting-services/)***, companies can modernize, integrate, and innovate without ! sacrificing the stability they’ve relied on for decades. For organizations ready to balance tradition with transformation, UNITED TECHNO provides the expertise to turn AS/400 into a true digital-era advantage.