COMMON POWERUp 2026: Full Schedule

Unlock the Power of IBM i at POWERUp 2026!

Join us in New Orleans, Louisiana for POWERUp 2026, the premier conference for IBM i professionals. Whether you’re an experienced expert or just starting your IBM i journey, this event offers unparalleled education, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Stay ahead of the curve with insights from industry leaders, explore the latest innovations, and connect with a thriving community that shares your passion for IBM i. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge, grow your skills, and power up your career!

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10:00am CDT

Intro to SQL

Monday April 27, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Studio 1-2

Evaluation Survey

If you're new to SQL or just need a refresher in the basics, this sessoin is for you. We'll explore how to use basic SQL commands to make your everday life easier.

Learning Objectives:

Understand 1. How to create an SQL statement 2. How to run an SQL statement 3. Some "gotcha" when using SQL

Speakers

Kent Milligan

Senior Db2 for i Consultant, IBM

Kent Milligan is a Senior Db2 for i Consultant in IBM Technology Expert Labs. Kent has over 25 years of experience as a Db2 for IBM i consultant and developer working out of the IBM Rochester lab. Prior to re-joining the Db2 for i Expert Labs practice in 2020, Kent spent 5 years... Read More →

Monday April 27, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Studio 1-2

Database, Database

Level Beginner

11:15am CDT

Run Away Queries Got You Down?

Monday April 27, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Studio 1-2

Evaluation Survey

Having negative performance impacts from query tools like Query/400, QMF, Showcase, Tableau and others because of the "query from heck" eating up system resources? Is your system open to security exposures from wide-open ODBC type connections? This session will cover options including using the new-ish Db2 Query Supervisor to control and/or audit long-running queries.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about the Db2 Supervisor to control and/or audit long running queries. 2. Gain insight into the tools you can use to monitor, tune, and prune queries.

Speakers

Kent Milligan

Senior Db2 for i Consultant, IBM

Monday April 27, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Studio 1-2

Database, Database

3:15pm CDT

Avoid Distractions, Get Focused

Monday April 27, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT

Studio 1-2

Evaluation Survey

We live in a world of endless distractions. Get distracted and you lose focus. According to research, it takes around 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction. Should we manage the distractions? Or let ourselves get distracted? Or learn to focus despite the distractions? If you can’t focus your attention, how can you accomplish anything? This session will teach you how to identify when and why you’re being distracted, what to do about it, and how to increase your focus.

Learning Objectives:

1) How to identify when you’re distracted 2) Understanding why you get distracted 3) How to avoid distractions 4) How to increase your focus

Speakers

Kim Greene

President, Kim Greene Consulting, Inc.

Kim Greene is president of Kim Greene Consulting, Inc. specializing in providing consulting services for the HCL Collaboration Solutions portfolio for IBM i, Windows, and Linux. Kim has over 20 years of experience with IBM Domino and over 25 years of experience with the AS/400, iSeries... Read More →

Monday April 27, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Studio 1-2

Developing Business Skills, Developing Business Skills, Personal Development

4:30pm CDT

CL 2025: What’s New and Useful

Monday April 27, 2026 4:30pm - 4:50pm CDT

Studio 1-2

Evaluation Survey

Control Language (CL) remains a core tool for IBM i system operations, and recent releases have added features that make scripting faster, cleaner, and more powerful. In this 20-minute session, Simon Hutchinson will provide a hands-on look at the most useful new CL commands, built-in functions, and SQL integration techniques. Attendees will learn how to modernize legacy scripts, automate system tasks, and streamline everyday operations using the latest CL features.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to: - Identify and use the most important new CL commands and functions. - Integrate SQL statements into CL scripts for database operations. - Modernize legacy CL code with practical tips for efficiency and readability. - Apply CL features to automate routine system tasks.

Speakers

Simon Hutchinson

Founder & author, RPGPGM.COM

Simon Hutchinson has worked with IBM midrange servers and the RPG programming language since 1988—starting in the U.K. and continuing in the U.S. for over 35 years. He is best known for his long-running blog, RPGPGM.COM, where for more than 12 years he has shared practical insi... Read More →

Monday April 27, 2026 4:30pm - 4:50pm CDT
Studio 1-2

General Programming, Programming: General

5:05pm CDT

Using SQL Triggers to Track File Changes on IBM i

Monday April 27, 2026 5:05pm - 5:25pm CDT

Studio 1-2

Evaluation Survey

Need to know who changed what — and when — in your IBM i files? SQL triggers make it easy! In this fast-paced 20-minute session, you’ll learn how to use SQL triggers to automatically capture file changes (inserts, updates, and deletes) and write them to an output or audit file. Simon will demonstrate how to create, test, and manage SQL triggers using Db2 for i. You’ll see real examples of triggers that record user information, timestamps, and before-and-after values — perfect for building audit trails or debugging data issues. If you’ve ever wanted an “audit log” without changing your application code, this session will show you how quick and powerful SQL triggers can be.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to: - Understand what SQL triggers are and when to use them. - Create an SQL trigger that writes file changes to an audit/output file. - Capture key details — user, timestamp, and changed values — automatically. - Manage and remove triggers safely in production environments.

Speakers

Simon Hutchinson

Founder & author, RPGPGM.COM

Monday April 27, 2026 5:05pm - 5:25pm CDT
Studio 1-2

Database, Database

COMMON POWERUp 2026

10:00am CDT

Kent Milligan

11:15am CDT

Kent Milligan

3:15pm CDT

Kim Greene

4:30pm CDT

Simon Hutchinson

5:05pm CDT

Simon Hutchinson

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