COMMON POWERUp 2026

IBM i shops are at a crossroads. Core applications continue to run the business reliably—but aging architectures, monolithic code, and skill gaps are slowing innovation. Executives are asking for speed and flexibility, while developers are stretched maintaining decades of business logic. The good news? Modernization doesn’t mean starting over. It means unlocking new value from what you already have. In this session, Amy Blea will break down a practical, business-aligned approach to application modernization on IBM i. We’ll explore why modernization is no longer just a technical upgrade—but a strategic investment that reduces maintenance effort, improves agility, and prepares applications to participate in AI, cloud, analytics, and API-driven ecosystems.

Learning Objectives:

In this session, Amy Blea shares real modernization journeys from IBM i clients—what sparked the change, the roadblocks they hit, and the outcomes they achieved. You’ll learn: * How companies modernized applications while keeping the business running * What worked—and what stalled—when moving from green screen to modern web and API-driven interfaces * How different teams adopted tools like VS Code, Git, DevOps, and AI-assisted development * Where AI-powered code assistants sped up code understanding, conversion, documentation, and developer onboarding Whether you’re a CIO looking to future-proof your IBM i investment or a developer eager to move beyond maintenance work, this session delivers practical guidance, tools, and inspiration to accelerate your modernization journey confidently and sustainably.