IBM i (AS/400) and IBM z are among the most stable platforms in enterprise IT. Many companies have been running business-critical applications on these platforms for decades in production, logistics, and finance. The problem: internal RPG expertise is becoming a bottleneck due to retirements, and green-screen interfaces are increasingly difficult to integrate into modern IT architectures. SPG supports companies in IBM i (AS/400) modernization and IBM z projects: from code analysis and ongoing operations to API integrations and full migration.
Benefit from our expertise in software development, IT consulting and system analysis. We are specialists in RPG (all dialects), Cobol, PL1, OS/400 and z/OS system management and much more. Our services include analysis with latest tools, architecture reviews, resource consumption analyses (for cost reduction especially for IBM z) and the optimization of your tool stack.
The Challenge
The client needed an IT solution that would both optimize internal processes and support the further development of the company's software.
Solution
We provided customized IT services, including analysis, customization, and software development for IBM i, while our partner, IT-PS, handled the day-to-day operation and monitoring of the company's IT systems.
Client
An international company in the packaging industry
In close partnership with IT-Power Services GmbH (IT-PS), we offer professional support in migrating your legacy systems to the cloud. Take advantage of our comprehensive service for operating and hosting your IT systems. Rely on our expertise for future-proof operations.
The Challenge
The customer faced the challenge of further developing its IT infrastructure.
In particular, they needed assistance with migrating to the existing IBM i hardware and resolving performance issues in the application interfaces.
Solution
In collaboration with our partner IT-PS, we delivered impressive results in the areas of security, performance management, and monitoring, and developed a customized solution based on a thorough needs analysis. We identified and resolved performance issues and are now supporting the client's development team in modernizing their IBM i system with our experienced RPG developers.
Client
A leading shoe retailer in Germany with over 450 stores.
With our tailored maintenance service, we complement your team and take responsibility for your legacy landscape. We take care of updates, code optimizations and maintain the services and interfaces of your applications, based on clear service level agreements.
Optimize your applications through further evolution and modernization. Our IT experts modernize your code with AI-supported tools, among other things. From old to new syntax, from legacy to greenfield code, from procedural to object-oriented programming languages (such as Java, .NET, etc.). We redesign your code, making it modular, faster, easier to maintain and expandable. In this way, we reduce the maintenance effort in the long term and sustainably.
The Challenge
A logistics company faced the challenge of modernizing its outdated stock transfer program for pallets and goods.
Solution
We converted the existing code into modern FullyFree RPG code and implemented utility programs and function libraries for system-internal and customer-specific functions.
Client
A leading provider in the logistics industry specializing in warehousing and transportation
You would like to keep your IBM i or IBM z as backend but modernize the frontend? We help you to replace your 5205 or 3270 emulation with modern web frontends. The dialog part is removed from the existing programs and a modern frontend is set up with tool support, which communicates with the backend via Rest-API. This allows you to retain the business logic on the existing system and offer your users up-to-the-minute usability with all the possibilities that modern frontends bring.
The Challenge
The client needed a modern software solution for auto claims management to replace the legacy system, optimize the claims management process, and lay the groundwork for integrating new insurance products.
Solution
We developed web-based claims management tools using Java/Angular that streamline business processes through dashboards and integrate new insurance products.
Client
A modern Austrian bank that offers mobility financing
You can find even more tips and expert insights on mainframes at SPG Insights.
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IBM i is an operating system from IBM that runs on IBM Power servers and has existed under various names since the late 1980s: first as OS/400, then as i5/OS, and today as IBM i. IBM continues to actively develop the platform: current versions support Python, Node.js, and modern security standards. This makes IBM i one of the longest-lasting platforms in enterprise IT. Many companies use it for business-critical applications in production, logistics, and finance.
IBM i modernization refers to measures taken to technically upgrade existing IBM i applications without having to replace the core system. Typical steps include migrating from old to new RPG syntax (FullyFree RPG), replacing 5250 green-screen interfaces with web front ends, and connecting to external systems via REST APIs. This should be distinguished from a complete replacement, in which the IBM i logic is transferred to a different system. Which approach makes sense depends on the condition of the code, the available expertise, and the planned IT strategy.
The replacement of green-screen interfaces (5250 emulation) on IBM i is achieved via an API layer: The user interface is separated from the RPG programs, while the business logic remains in the backend. The front end then communicates with the IBM i backend via REST APIs and can be developed using any modern web technologies. This approach avoids the need to completely redevelop the business logic and significantly reduces project risk. A prerequisite is a sufficiently modular code structure or its prior refactoring.
SPG offers a full range of services for IBM i and IBM z environments: from analysis, operation, and hosting to modernization and maintenance, as well as API integrations and data migration. In the area of modernization, AI-powered tools are used to analyze legacy code and convert it into modern syntax. For operations and hosting, SPG collaborates with its partner IT-PS. Technical expertise focuses on RPG, PL/1, and z/OS.
Ozgar.ai is an enterprise code intelligence platform for complex, long-running systems. For IBM i environments, Ozgar analyzes RPG source code and DB2 for i schemas, generates searchable documentation with ER diagrams and call graphs, and highlights dependencies before changes are made. This is particularly relevant when system knowledge is at risk of being lost due to retirements or when new developers need to be quickly brought up to speed on mature codebases. The platform runs on-premises or in the cloud; data and LLM access remain under the company’s control. Ozgar.ai is a product of the Specific Group.