Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

IBM i Brief: 🔄 IBM i platform poised for major identity refresh. 🔨 Power9 support ends as Power11 era approaches.
AI: 🌐From AI to GAI: How do we get from here to there.
Career: 💼 Job seekers face evolving market challenges in 2025.
Development: 🔄 RPG and Node.js unite for powerful business logic.
Hiring: 👥 Bridging the IBM i Skills Gap: From Challenge to Opportunity.
Leadership: ✨ 2025’s leadership demands new tech-human balance.
Learning: 📚IBM i: From Beginner to Expert.
Modernization: 🔄 The Irony of the IBM i Modernization Journey.

IBM i Brief

🔄 IBM i platform poised for major identity refresh

Here is part three of ITJungle’s predictions for the IBM i market in 2025.

Industry experts predict 2025 could mark a transformative year for IBM i as the platform considers a bold rebranding initiative. PKS Software CEO Heidi Schmidt suggests a new identity could help bridge the perception gap between the platform’s modern capabilities and its legacy reputation.

She suggests a potential rebrand:

What a rebrand might look like: IBM could retire the ‘IBM I’ name and introduce a fresh, modern branding that reflects its cutting-edge capabilities, such as integration with hybrid cloud, AI, and APIs. A name like “IBM CoreOS” or “IBM QuantumEdge” might evoke innovation and align with broader enterprise trends.

I have to say, I think she has an interesting idea here.

What are your thoughts?

🔨 Power9 support ends as Power11 era approaches

IBM announced the withdrawal of standard service support for Power9 systems effective January 31, 2026. This marks an eight-year lifecycle for these systems, aligning with expectations ahead of anticipated Power11 announcements.

The change means no new updates, fixes, or security patches will be provided after this date, impacting selected Power9 models. This strategic move signals IBM’s continued evolution in the Power Systems roadmap.

AI

🌐From AI to GAI: How do we get from here to there

Generative AI (GAI) agents leveraging natural-language commands and open finance APIs may soon automate personal finance tasks like bill payments and portfolio management.

What is GAI?

Generative AI creates new content, like text or images, learning from vast data to mimic human creativity, impacting fields from art to enterprise solutions.

This article explores GAI’s ability to manage deposits autonomously could destabilize banks, increasing the risk of rapid asset migrations and bank runs.

For IBM i shops, particularly those in the financial sector, this raises important questions about:

How to safely integrate GAI capabilities with existing transaction processing systems
What new security measures may be needed to handle GAI-driven automated transactions
How to maintain system stability during periods of high-volume automated activity

While these considerations are particularly relevant for financial institutions, GAI’s potential extends across all industries.

Career

💼 Job seekers face evolving market challenges in 2025

Recent statistics show that 84% of job seekers are now using AI-powered platforms in their search, while traditional application methods decline. The average job search takes 5-6 months with candidates applying to approximately 21 positions before securing an offer. Remote work continues to influence search patterns, with 65% of applicants prioritizing flexible work arrangements in their job criteria.

Development

🔄 RPG and Node.js unite for powerful business logic

The integration combines RPG’s robust business logic capabilities with Node.js’s modern features. Through SQL functions and data structures, developers can now seamlessly pass complex data between layers.

This approach leverages RPG’s strength in data access conditions while maintaining JavaScript’s flexibility. The architecture allows for expanded functionality beyond simple database queries, enabling sophisticated business operations.

Hiring

👥 Bridging the IBM i Skills Gap: From Challenge to Opportunity

The persistent skills gap in IBM i remains a critical challenge for organizations, particularly around succession planning and talent development.

Drawing from over two decades of experience in the IBM i and RPG market, we’ve observed the evolving landscape of technical talent.

The encouraging news is that 2025 could mark a significant shift in addressing these challenges.

An upcoming webinar, showcasing Carol Woodbury’s remarkable journey from office admin to global IBM i expert, provides valuable insights for workforce development.

Key discussion points:

Success stories of effective succession planning and career development within IBM i
Strategic approaches to developing internal talent through turnkey training programs while attracting new expertise
Developing a balanced mentoring program that pairs seasoned professionals with rising talent

This session is especially relevant for CIO’s, Directors of IT, and IBM i managers who are evaluating how to develop their long-term IBM i talent strategies.

It addresses the critical question:

How can organizations build sustainable IBM i teams that bridge the generational and skills gaps?

At Talsco, we’ve consistently seen that organizations committed to comprehensive talent development outperform their competitors.

This webinar presents a unique opportunity to learn from someone who has successfully navigated these workforce challenges. Join us to discover strategies that could reshape your IBM i team’s future – register for the webinar today.

Leadership

✨ 2025’s leadership demands new tech-human balance

As IBM i managers navigate the digital transformation landscape in 2025, many find themselves at a crossroads. With decades of reliable performance from their legacy systems, the prospect of change can seem daunting. Yet, the integration of AI, cloud technologies, and modern development practices isn’t just an option—it’s becoming a necessity for maintaining competitive advantage.

The challenge isn’t just technical—it’s cultural. Many managers who have built their careers on traditional IBM i systems may feel hesitant about embracing new technologies and methodologies.

However, those who successfully bridge this gap between legacy stability and modern innovation often find themselves leading more resilient, adaptable organizations.

The Leadership side of AI.

The modern leadership landscape requires mastering AI and data analytics while maintaining human-centric values. Leaders must navigate real-time decision-making, predictive analytics, and automated processes while fostering team cohesion and ethical practices. Success hinges on balancing technological proficiency with emotional intelligence, as organizations adapt to an increasingly digital-first environment.

Read more here about what skills leaders need to be successful in the future.

Learning

📚IBM i: From Beginner to Expert

If you are looking for self-directed course on a wide range of topics on the IBM i, this is a good place to start.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to grasp the fundamentals of IBM i Power Systems or an experienced professional aiming to master advanced RPG programming and system administration, there’s something for everyone.

From introductory sessions on RPG for beginners to specialized courses on modernizing RPG400 to RPG ILE FREE and leveraging Git for version control, this collection spans easy, intermediate, and advanced topics, ensuring comprehensive learning for all IBM i enthusiasts.

Modernization

🔄 The Irony of the IBM i Modernization Journey

Here is a thought provoking post on LinkedIn.

It discusses how modernization roadblocks stem from what I would call a fixed-mindset.

When stakeholders plan to sunset IBM i systems, it creates a paradoxical barrier to modernization efforts. Development teams are often pushed toward quick, low-quality solutions rather than implementing proper coding practices.

However, strong IBM i development management can drive modernization regardless of stakeholder stance.

Ironically, thorough modernization—creating tiered architectures and service-oriented approaches—can actually facilitate an easier transition off the platform if needed.

Words of wisdom:

“Do not let stakeholders decision to want to sunset the i deter you from learning and implementing modern design and coding techniques, unless you want to drown your career in a life of tangled monolithic hell and potentially sunset your organization at the same time.” – Jefferson Vaughn – IBM i Modernization Lead

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