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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8:00am CDT

Tame the IFS with SQL Services

Tuesday April 28, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT

Galerie 6

Evaluation Survey

In this updated and award-winning session, you will discover how SQL and IBM i (SQL) Services can be used to bring order to the IFS. Whether you aim to further secure, manage, or utilize the IFS, SQL can help get the job done. The Db2 for i team has made consistent and noteworthy investments to bring SQL capabilities that can be used with the IFS. Come to this session to see, understand, and be ready to use SQL with the IFS.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives: 1. Understand what's possible with SQL and the IFS 2. Learn how to use SQL with the IFS 3. Gain awareness of the pitfalls and gotchas when using SQL

Speakers

Scott Forstie

Senior Technical Staff Member, IBM

Scott Forstie is a Senior Technical Staff Member within IBM i development and spends most of his time working as the Db2 for i Architect. He has worked on IBM operating system development since joining IBM in 1989.
Scott is a frequently published author, speaker at industry events... Read More →

Tuesday April 28, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 6

IFS, Database, Integrated File System (IFS), Security, Systems Management

9:15am CDT

Securing Your System Without Destroying Your Business

Tuesday April 28, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Galerie 6

Evaluation Survey

The potential to break a critical process when changing your security configuration is real. But with the proper investigation and analysis, security changes can occur without disrupting your business. During this session Steve Riedmueller and Carol Woodbury will provide the methods they use to investigate a system prior to making changes. Their goal is to give you the confidence to make system value, user profile and object authority changes with confidence and without fear of breakage.

Learning Objectives:

Learn: - how to effectively communicate the need to make security changes. - which configuration changes can be made without a huge project - how and when to use the audit journal to perform analysis - about authority collection analysis

Speakers

Steve Riedmueller

Director of Security Services, Kisco

Carol Woodbury

IBM i Security SME and Senior Advisor, Kisco

Tuesday April 28, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 6

Security

10:45am CDT

Power Processor Roadmap: Power11, Memory Architecture, Enterprise AI, and Chiplets

Tuesday April 28, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

Galerie 6

Evaluation Survey

In this talk, Power Processor Chief Architect, William Starke, will describe the Power11 processor and the value drivers in the Power11 stack, including its advanced packaging technology, innovative memory architecture, and expanded AI strategy. Looking beyond Power11, he will provide details on the strength of Power’s emerging chiplet-based architecture, with comparisons to industry chiplet architectures.

Learning Objectives:

Gain insight into the Power hardware platform and its differentiated capabilities

Speakers

Bill Starke

Power Processor Chief Architect, IBM

William Starke is an IBM Distinguished Engineer and Chief Architect for Power microprocessors. Since graduating from Michigan Tech University, Bill has been employed by IBM for over 30 years in several roles, spanning mainframe and Power systems performance analysis, logic design... Read More →

Tuesday April 28, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 6

Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Hardware

3:15pm CDT

Writing Programs with SQL Procedural Language

Tuesday April 28, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT

Galerie 6

Evaluation Survey

SQL includes a full-fledged programming language, SQL PL. Come learn about the programming constructs, including error handling, that this language contains. You will leave with all the knowledge you need to start writing your own SQL functions and procedures.

Learning Objectives:

Learn how to code in SQL PL (Procedural Language) from an RPG programmer perspective. You know how write an RPG IF, CASE, SELECT, loop, etc. but what’s the SQL PL equivalent.

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 →

Tuesday April 28, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Galerie 6

Database

4:30pm CDT

Running Large Language Models (LLMs) on IBM i

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:30pm - 4:50pm CDT

Galerie 6

Evaluation Survey

Learn how to deploy LLMs directly on IBM i and integrate with your Db2 integration.

Learning Objectives:

Learn how to deploy LLMs directly on IBM i and integrate with your Db2 integration.

Speakers

Adam Shedivy

Software Developer, IBM

Adam is a software Developer working on Agentic AI solutions for IBM i

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:30pm - 4:50pm CDT
Galerie 6

Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

Track Student

5:05pm CDT

How many indexes is too many?

Tuesday April 28, 2026 5:05pm - 5:25pm CDT

Galerie 6

Evaluation Survey

The creation of indexes can have a positive impact on query performance. However, an index also has a cost since it has to be maintained every time rows in the associated table are inserted, deleted and updated. This session will the discuss indexing tradeoffs including the review of a benchmark test created to quantify the positive & negative impacts of indexes. In addition, you will learn about tooling that can be used to identify your most valuable and least valuable indexes. "

Learning Objectives:

Understanding of index maintenance considerations. Introduction to tools help you to determine the value of index.

Speakers

Kent Milligan

Senior Db2 for i Consultant, IBM

Tuesday April 28, 2026 5:05pm - 5:25pm CDT
Galerie 6

Database

8:00am CDT

9:15am CDT

10:45am CDT

3:15pm CDT

4:30pm CDT

5:05pm CDT

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