Talsco Weekly: Free IBM i Development, Training & Support Opportunity

Welcome to another edition of Talsco Weekly

IBM i Brief: 📎 Pin by Pin: COMMON’s 30-Year Legacy of IBM i Conference Collectables.
Development: From Zero To RPG in under a month and having a blast. RPG Development: Updating Data with SQL Cursors in DB2 for i 🎬.
ERP: 💫 What is the Difference between JD Edwards World and JD Edwards EnterpriseOne?
Leadership: 👔 Steve Jobs knew the power of empowering smart people.
Learning: 🎓 Free IBM i Development, Training & Support Opportunity.
Modernization: 🏃Legacy modernization becomes a sprint, not a marathon.
Learning: 🔒 IBM:AI dominates cybersecurity concerns in 2025.
Trends: 🤔 AI in Manufacturing: Evolution, Not Revolution.

IBM i Brief

📎 Pin by Pin: COMMON’s 30-Year Legacy of IBM i Conference Collectables

Did you know that COMMON has been creating unique conference pins for nearly 30 years? These pins have become cherished collectables that represent both the history of the IBM i platform and the strong community spirit of COMMON events.

The tradition began in 1995 with each pin featuring unique designs that often highlight the host city and COMMON’s mission of serving “For the COMMON Good.” These pins not only serve as memorable keepsakes but also support education initiatives through the COMMON Education Foundation (CEF).

Keep an eye out for the upcoming POWERUp 2025 pin design in Anaheim this May!

Development

From Zero To RPG in under a month and having a blast

🎯 Here a developer new to RPG, shares his insight on how he picked up RPG in under a month.

Another story about how amazing the IBM i platform is!

RPG Development: Updating Data with SQL Cursors in DB2 for i 🎬 This technical demonstration explores the process of updating data in tables using SQL cursors. The example showcases a simple RPGLE program utilizing DB2 for i and Code for i to demonstrate the implementation.

ERP

💫 What is the Difference between JD Edwards World and JD Edwards EnterpriseOne?

Adding to last weeks article “The Event that Shook the AS/400 ERP Market”, I thought it might be helpful for IT leadership and/or those who are new to the IBM i market, to share a little more insight on the simple differences of JD Edwards World and JD Edwards EnterpriseOne.

Here’s a brief overview of the two versions of JD Edwards:

JD Edwards World

Platform: IBM i (formerly AS/400) systems.
Audience: Targeted towards smaller to mid-sized companies, especially those using IBM’s midrange systems.
Key Features: Known for its tight integration with IBM iSeries, reliability, and strong financial and manufacturing capabilities.
Updates in 2004: At the time, JD Edwards World was still widely used, though it was more of a legacy system compared to EnterpriseOne.
Current Version: The most recent version of JD Edwards World as of 2025 is version A9.4 that was released in 2015. The latest information that I can find is that Extended Support is available through April 2025.

JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

Platform: Multi-platform (Windows, UNIX, IBM i, etc.), with a web-based architecture.
Audience: Aimed at larger or more diverse businesses requiring flexibility and scalability.
Key Features: Web-enabled, modular ERP with extensive functionality, including financials, supply chain, CRM, and HR.
Updates in 2004: EnterpriseOne was considered the newer, more modern product line and received more significant development attention.
Current Version: The most recent version for JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is 9.2. And Premier Support for EnterpriseOne 9.2 is extended through at least December 2035.

Here is the JD Edwards Premier Support and Continuous Delivery FAQ for reference.

Leadership

👔 Steve Jobs knew the power of empowering smart people

The Apple founder’s leadership philosophy centered on trusting talented employees to make decisions. Rather than micromanaging, Jobs believed in giving his team autonomy and tools to create exceptional products. This approach, rooted in his faith that people are “basically good and smart,” helped drive Apple’s remarkable growth after his return to the company.

Inc.com

I spoke to an incredibly talented IBM i leader this week.

This is exactly how he led his team. When I asked him what his staff said about him, he shared:

One of my IBM i developers thanked me for not telling them how to code. I took pride in that. I never told them how to do their jobs.

It’s leaders like this that make the IBM i an amazing platform.

Learning

🎓 Free IBM i Development, Training & Support Opportunity

Yep. That’s right, here is an opportunity for three bright, motivated, and curious, technically savvy IT professionals to learn how to become an IBM i RPG Developer.

Companies are investing less in employee training compared to the past, but organizations like Kisco are countering this trend through initiatives like the Richard C. Loeber fellowship for IBM i careers.

Who is this for?

This opportunity is tailored for:

🎯 Tech enthusiasts who are ready to embark on an IBM i journey
🌟 Motivated individuals with a natural curiosity and passion for learning
💼 Professionals with at least 2 years of work experience in any field

The best part is all career backgrounds are welcome! Whether you’re currently in marketing, customer service, or any other field, this could be your gateway into the world of IBM i development.

I would like to ask a favor. 🙏

If you are an IBM i-er who knows someone who would be perfect for this opportunity, or you’re an IBM i manager looking for a turnkey RPG training program to transform a talented individual within your company into a productive IBM i developer, don’t hesitate in applying for The RCL Fellowship Program.

The IBM i community has always been known for its strong sense of mentorship and knowledge sharing.

Now is your chance to pay it forward!

If you’ve benefited from the opportunities this platform has provided, consider:

🗣 Sharing The RCL Fellowship opportunity within your professional networks, with your boss, HR, peers, and anyone whom you feel would benefit from this amazing opportunity.

Together, we can ensure the IBM i platform continues to thrive by welcoming and nurturing new talent into our community.

Your involvement today helps secure the platform’s future for tomorrow.

Modernization

🏃Legacy modernization becomes a sprint, not a marathon

A compelling article highlights how AI is transforming the legacy modernization landscape in 2025. While traditional modernization efforts could span a decade, AI-powered solutions are dramatically accelerating the process.

Organizations now face pressure to modernize quickly, as those building on legacy technology risk falling behind in the AI race.

With AI predicted to become a $631 billion market by 2028, the message is clear: modernize now or risk obsolescence.

Security

🔒 IBM:AI dominates cybersecurity concerns in 2025

IBM’s security predictions highlight AI’s dual role in cybersecurity, with shadow AI emerging as a major enterprise risk and AI-assisted threats becoming more sophisticated.

While organizations leverage AI for improved security automation and threat detection, they must also guard against AI-powered attacks. The report emphasizes the need for robust governance, identity management, and quantum-safe cryptography preparation.

There is a lot to unpack in this article, and worth the time to read for all IBM i professionals especially those in the security space.

Trends

🤔 AI in Manufacturing: Evolution, Not Revolution

Throughout our Talsco Weekly articles, we’ve explored how AI, IoT, and Machine Learning are transforming various industries. While these technologies may seem revolutionary, they’re part of humanity’s continuous journey toward progress and efficiency.

As this article points out, manufacturing companies have always sought ways to enhance their capabilities and streamline processes. What makes today’s AI developments particularly noteworthy isn’t its novelty - but the unprecedented scale and speed at which it is reshaping traditional industries.

While there is tremendous upside, there are also significant risks as this article points out.

Here are the key risks and challenges of AI adoption in manufacturing:

High Investment Barriers: Substantial upfront costs for technology, infrastructure, and training - particularly challenging for smaller manufacturers
Implementation Complexity: Integration with existing systems can be complex and time-consuming, requiring careful planning and expertise
Data Quality Issues: Poor data quality can lead to inaccurate predictions and suboptimal decision-making
Workforce Concerns: Risk of job displacement and the need for significant investment in reskilling programs
Data Security: Concerns around protecting sensitive manufacturing data and processes

Despite these challenges, the AI trend will continue not so much as a revolution but a natural progression in manufacturing’s ongoing journey toward greater efficiency and innovation.

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