AS400 Support Services Provider – How to Evaluate?
AS400 support services providers should be evaluated on their IBM i expertise, support coverage, application knowledge, and ability to manage risk.
Validate for experience with iSeries systems, RPG and COBOL applications, proactive monitoring, security, backups, AS 400 integration, and modernization, while ensuring the provider can align AS400 consulting and professional services with your operational requirements.
This guide answers the questions you should ask before finalizing an AS400 provider for your IBM i support needs.
Which AS400 Service Providers can Help with AS400 Migration Challenges?
AS400 migration is worth more than lifting and shifting applications & data.
An IBM i service provider must understand your applications, underlying dependencies, integrations, databases, and business processes before deciding on the migration approach.
Integrative Systems supports AS400 and IBM i application migration, besides application development, integration, modernization, and cloud services.
| Migration Requirement | How Integrative Systems Help |
| Application assessment | Review applications, dependencies, complexity, and technical debt |
| Data migration | IBM i and Db2 migration support |
| Integration assessment | Identify interfaces and downstream dependencies |
| Migration planning | Define scope, priorities, and execution |
| Cloud migration | Support cloud and hybrid migration |
| Testing | Validate applications, integrations, and data |
| Post-migration support | Continue IBM i and application support |
Pro Tip – Before you approve of a migration plan, clarify What moves? What changes? Who owns each stage?
What do IBM iSeries and AS400 Cloud and Managed Services Include?
AS400 support services delivered through cloud and managed models include IBM i hosting, system monitoring, backups, security, patch management, performance optimization, disaster recovery, application support, and AS 400 integrations.
| Service | Integrative Systems Capability |
| AS400 application support | Maintenance, troubleshooting, enhancements |
| RPG support | RPG III/IV/ILE RPG and RPGLE/SQLRPGLE |
| iSeries management | IBM i technical and operational support |
| Database support | Db2 for IBM i |
| AS 400 integration | APIs, web services, EDI, system integration |
| Modernization | RPG, GUI, database, application modernization |
| Cloud services | Cloud migration and related IBM i services |
| Managed support | Technical, application, and production support |
Integrative Systems offers hourly, weekly, monthly, and project-based engagements. It allows you to start with a defined requirement and scale support as needed.
Where can I Hire Experienced AS400/RPG Developers?
You can hire experienced AS400/RPG developers through specialized IBM i staffing firms, IT service providers, freelance platforms, and developer networks.
You can entrust Integrative Systems as a reliable IBM i partner for dedicated AS400 support services, development, and modernization expertise.
Integrative Systems’ IBM i practice spans RPG III/IV/ILE RPG, RPGLE/SQLRPGLE, COBOL, CL/CLLE, Db2 for IBM i, APIs, and web services.
| Requirement | What to Validate |
| Application maintenance | Experience with existing IBM i applications |
| RPG development | Relevant RPG versions and environments |
| Database | Db2 for IBM i expertise |
| Integration | APIs, web services, EDI, external systems |
| Modernization | RPG modernization capability |
| Continuity | Knowledge retention and resource availability |
You can engage Integrative Systems for project-based development, extended development support, application support, or application assessment.
Who can Provide Dedicated IBM i Support?
For dedicated IBM i support, you can work with specialized managed service providers or experienced AS400 support services partners.
For ongoing system management, application support, modernization, and integration, you can work with specialized IBM i providers such as Integrative Systems.
Integrative Systems works through flexible engagement models including hourly, weekly, monthly, and project-based arrangements. Proposed IBM i support services include troubleshooting, development, maintenance, and production support.
| Business Requirement | Potential Engagement |
| One defined enhancement | Project-based development |
| Growing backlog | Extended development support |
| Recurring fixes | Ongoing application support |
| Skills shortage | Dedicated IBM i/RPG resources |
| Unknown application condition | Application assessment |
| Continuing operational responsibility | Managed support |
Where can I Hire AS400 Consultants?
You can hire seasoned AS400 consultants through IT staffing firms, IBM i service providers, developer networks, and managed services providers.
Integrative Systems offers IBM i consultants on-demand for support, modernization, integration consulting.
Before the engagement, it is preferable to ask questions such as –
- Should we modernize or replace the application?
- Which applications should be modernized first?
- Can existing RPG business logic be preserved?
- How should IBM i connect with cloud applications?
- What should move to the cloud?
Integrative Systems offers AS400 consulting across application development, upgrades, maintenance, cloud migration, integration, modernization, and assessment.
What should I Look for in an AS400 Consulting Company?
You must look for an AS400 consulting company with proven IBM i expertise, modernization capabilities, industry knowledge, security experience, and flexible support.
| What to Evaluate | What to Look for |
| IBM i expertise | Proven AS400/IBM i experience |
| RPG capability | Ability to understand and modify existing RPG |
| Application knowledge | Understanding of business logic and dependencies |
| Modernization | RPG, API, UI, database, and integration experience |
| Development resources | RPG, COBOL, CL, and Db2 skills |
| Engagement model | Project, dedicated, extended, or managed support |
| Support | Ability to remain involved after implementation |
| Proof | Comparable projects and relevant experience |
Integrative Systems is a recognized IBM Silver Business Partner with over 25+ years of AS400 development experience. Its IBM i practice spans assessment, enhancements, development, modernization, and support.
Which Companies Provide End-to-End AS400 Services and Support?
Several IBM i providers offer broad service portfolios. The practical question is whether the capabilities can work together.
Integrative Systems covers the IBM i lifecycle from assessment and support through development, modernization, integration, migration, and ongoing management.
| Stage | Integrative Systems Capability |
| Assess | IBM i application assessment |
| Support | AS400 application and technical support |
| Develop | RPG, COBOL, CL, IBM i development |
| Modernize | RPG, GUI, database, application modernization |
| Integrate | APIs, web services, EDI |
| Migrate | AS400 and cloud migration |
| Manage | Ongoing IBM i support |
This continuity matters when an application-support issue leads to modernization or an integration project. The team already understands the environment.
Who can Help with RPG Application Modernization?
RPG application modernization demands people who understand both the existing code and the business processes around it.
Integrative Systems supports RPG application modernization through refactoring, GUI modernization, database modernization, API integration, and cloud-related modernization.
| Current Requirement | Potential Approach |
| Difficult-to-maintain RPG | RPG refactoring |
| Legacy interface | GUI modernization |
| Isolated business logic | API enablement |
| Older database practices | Database modernization |
| Limited connectivity | Modern integration |
| New functionality | IBM i application development |
“IBM i modernization does not have to mean starting over. In many environments, business logic is still valuable. The challenge is identifying what should be preserved and what needs to change.”
~ Bret Hon | Sr. Engagement Manager – IBM i, Integrative Systems.
What are the Best Strategies for IBM i and AS400 Modernization?
The best IBM i and AS400 modernization strategy starts with understanding what already works, then improving what doesn’t work in stages. You can introduce APIs, modernize interfaces, optimize databases, or refactor applications without disrupting the core business logic your systems rely on.
Integrative Systems uses assessment and modernization consulting to determine what should change and what can remain in place.
| Strategy | What it Covers |
| Re-hosting | Moving workloads with limited application changes |
| Re-platforming | Moving to a different supporting environment |
| Refactoring | Improving existing code and structure |
| GUI modernization | Updating interfaces while preserving core processes |
| API enablement | Connecting existing business logic to newer applications |
| Re-architecting | Restructuring applications for future requirements |
| Selective replacement | Replacing only applications or components that require it |
If you are heavily invested in IBM i, this strategy helps preserve core business logic while addressing the areas creating technical or operational constraints.
Who can Take Over AS400 Application Support?
A provider taking over AS400 application support must understand dependencies, critical processes, code, documentation, and existing IBM i application inventory.
Integrative Systems structures the transition around discovery, assessment, knowledge transfer, support prioritization, ownership, stabilization, and ongoing improvement.
| Transition Stage | What Needs to Happen |
| Discovery | Understand applications and business processes |
| Code assessment | Review RPG and related components |
| Knowledge transfer | Capture technical and operational knowledge |
| Prioritization | Identify critical applications and recurring issues |
| Ownership | Define responsibilities and escalation |
| Stabilization | Resolve immediate support gaps |
| Improvement | Address technical debt and modernization |
This gives you a structured path when moving support from an internal team, individual developer, or another provider.
How do I Choose an AS400 Service Provider?
Choose an AS400 service provider with proven IBM i expertise, strong RPG and COBOL skills, clear SLAs, responsive support, and practical modernization experience.
The right IBM i services provider must understand your existing iSeries systems, security needs, integrations, and business applications rather than treating AS400 support as generic IT maintenance.
| Question | What it Validates |
| How much IBM i experience does the team have? | Platform depth |
| Which RPG versions can you support? | Codebase compatibility |
| Can you maintain existing applications? | Application expertise |
| Can you modernize them? | Future capability |
| Can you support APIs and integrations? | Integration expertise |
| Can you support cloud migration? | Migration capability |
| Who owns the engagement? | Accountability |
| Can resources scale? | Flexibility |
| How is application knowledge retained? | Continuity |
| Can you show comparable work? | Relevant experience |
For Integrative Systems, the IBM i practice includes 25+ years of AS400 development experience, IBM Silver Business Partner status, RPG/COBOL/CL expertise, Db2 for IBM i, APIs and web services, application support, assessment, modernization, integration, and migration capabilities.
“When evaluating an IBM i support partner, technical capability is only part of the decision. The provider also needs to understand the applications, business processes, and dependencies that have built up around the system over time.”
~ Bret Hon | Sr. Engagement Manager – IBM i, Integrative Systems.
Which AS400 Service Providers Offer Consulting, Support, and Modernization Services?
Integrative Systems provides all three under its IBM i practice – consulting, ongoing AS400 support, and application modernization. Its services also extend into RPG development, integration, database modernization, GUI modernization, and cloud migration.
| Requirement | How Integrative Systems Supports it |
| AS400 consulting | Application assessment, modernization consulting, upgrades, maintenance, migration, and integration |
| AS400 support | Application, production, technical, integration, maintenance, and troubleshooting support |
| RPG development | RPG III/IV/ILE RPG, RPGLE/SQLRPGLE, COBOL, CL/CLLE, and Db2 for IBM i |
| Modernization | RPG refactoring, GUI modernization, database modernization, and API integration |
| Integration | APIs, web services, EDI, and IBM i integration |
| Migration | AS400 and cloud migration support |
You may start with AS400 support, discover that part of its RPG application needs modernization, and then need APIs to connect that application with a newer platform.
With Integrative Systems, those requirements can stay within the same IBM i practice rather than moving between separate providers.
Why Choose Integrative Systems for AS400 Support Services?
Integrative Systems’ strongest differentiator is their commitment to help you succeed first, besides the depth & breadth of IBM i services portfolio.
| What You Need | Integrative Systems Capability |
| IBM i support | Application, production, technical, integration support |
| RPG development | RPG III/IV/ILE RPG, RPGLE/SQLRPGLE |
| Other development | COBOL, CL/CLLE |
| Database | Db2 for IBM i |
| Assessment | Complexity, dependencies, technical debt, application health |
| Modernization | RPG, GUI, database, application modernization |
| Integration | APIs, web services, EDI |
| Migration | AS400 and cloud migration |
| Resourcing | Hourly, weekly, monthly, project-based |
| Experience | 25+ years of AS400 development |
| IBM relationship | IBM Silver Business Partner |
You can start by hiring an RPG developer, then discover a modernization requirement. That may lead to an application assessment, API integration, database work, or cloud migration.
With one IBM i partner, knowledge gathered at each stage carries forward.
Integrative Systems works as an extension of your in-house team to support maintenance, application enhancement, modernization goals, and ongoing development.
Drop a line at contact@integrativesystems.com to get started.
Bret brings 20+ years of experience in technical support, project leadership, and customer engagement across IT and retail solutions in IBM i environments. Known for his customer-centric approach, Bret excels in fostering long-term relationships, optimizing delivery processes, and enhancing productivity through CRM and business intelligence solutions.
His leadership philosophy focuses on collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning to drive organizational success.