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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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Wednesday, April 29
 

8:00am CDT

Explain It Like I'm 5 - Strategies for Successful Communication
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 1
Evaluation Survey
While many developers would love to never speak to another human being, it is inevitable that someday they will have to. When software engineers leave their cubicles or home offices or whatever dark cave they write code in, they'll need the skills to communicate effectively. Communication skills come in handy even if you're sending an email instead of just standing up and walking 10ft to a colleague's desk.

This is a session not just for developers, but for anyone who has to talk to another human being, because effective communication is the key to success in your relationships, careers, and everyday life. As a professional in marketing and sales (Anna) and a software engineer who recently joined the IBM i platform (Justin), we’ve had to learn strategies to access complicated information and make it accessible to ourselves and our customers.

Join us to learn some new strategies that you can not only take back to the office, but utilize the moment you walk out of the session room. We’ll have time to workshop with attendees at the end of the session. Attend this session to maximize your conference experience!

Learning Objectives:
- Learn the steps of a successful communication process and how to avoid common pitfalls.
- Learn communication strategies for conversations with those outside your area of expertise.
- Learn how an AI tool can assist you with communication.
Speakers
avatar for Anna Marrah

Anna Marrah

Marketing Consultant, Midrange Dynamics
Anna has a background in marketing, communications, sales, and membership promotion. She became acquainted with the IBM i community when she began working for COMMON as their Marketing Manager. During her time at COMMON, she spearheaded the revival of the IBM i professionals’ group... Read More →
avatar for Justin Becker

Justin Becker

Senior Software Developer/Analyst, M.R. Williams, Inc.
I'm a multi-instrumentalist who plays drums in an extreme metal band, a locksport enthusiast, a philosophy nerd, and an avid reader.
I also enjoy hiking, kayaking, archery, and boating.
I'm an advocate for accessible education (Join N2i right now. Do it.) and a member of the COMMON... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 1
  Developing Business Skills

8:00am CDT

JavaScript 101: First Look from an RPG Perspective
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Studio 9-10
Evaluation Survey
Since its introduction 30 years ago, JavaScript has fast become the most prominent programming language on the Internet. You would be hard-pressed to find a single page on the web today that does not employ some amount of JavaScript code. Learning JavaScript, along with basic HTML and CSS concepts, should thus be at the top of the to-do list for every RPG developer looking to get started with serious web development. This session serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of the JavaScript language, drawing comparisons to coding concepts that should be familiar to all RPG programmers. No prior experience with web development is assumed. Topics to be covered include basic variable declaration, comparison & assignment operators, conditional statements, arrays, loops and functions -- all of which will be directly compared to their RPG equivalents. The instructor will demonstrate how you can practice these basic JavaScript concepts on your own using console tools inside the Google Chrome browser, and provide suggestions for further study of the language.

Learning Objectives:

• Know how to code and test blocks of JavaScript inside their own browser (specifically, we'll look at the DevTools inside Google Chrome) • Understand the differences and similarities between JavaScript and RPG • Know where to go for further study of the language and what to focus on learning first
Speakers
avatar for Robert Swanson

Robert Swanson

Senior Partner, CNX
Rob has worked as an in-the-trenches IBM i developer since 1992, with the past 15 years focused on developing modernization efforts for legacy systems written in RPG. Currently serving as Senior Partner for CNX Corporation in Chicago, Rob is a strong advocate of introducing highly... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Studio 9-10
  General Programming

8:00am CDT

SQL Services for the Developer
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Balcony M-N
Evaluation Survey
IBM i offers a wide array of SQL services to allow programmers to interact with database and system resources. In today’s modern SQL world, SQL can replace coding to many APIs, all while being more flexible and easier to use. This session will cover a wide variety of powerful SQL services, including how to view and manage data areas and data queues, an example of interacting with IFS files, running CL commands from SQL, and much more.

Learning Objectives:

`- Learn how to manage data queues and data areas with SQL - Learn to read/write from IFS files with SQL - Learn strategies for debugging SQL procedures and functions - Learn how to develop more efficiently with the help of SQL services (SPLIT, SEND_EMAIL, SPOOLED_FILE_DATA, QCMDEXC, RELATED_OBJECTS)
Speakers
avatar for Ryan Moeller

Ryan Moeller

Software Engineer, IBM
Ryan Moeller is a software engineer working on Db2 for i, specifically on the SQL Query Engine (SQE) team. He joined the team in the Rochester, MN development lab in 2020. Ryan specializes in SQL, database development, and query performance analysis.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Balcony M-N
  General Programming, Database

8:00am CDT

Navigating the HA/DR Maze: Make the Right Move
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Studio 1-2
Evaluation Survey
In today’s ever-evolving IT landscape, ensuring continuous business operations requires a strategic approach to High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR). With a growing array of technologies, both on-premises and in the cloud, choosing the right solution can feel like navigating a maze. This session will guide you through the key considerations for building a resilient HA/DR strategy. We’ll explore the different types of outages and align them with the technologies designed to mitigate their impact. Whether you're planning for hardware failures, software issues, or full system outages, understanding your business requirements and protection goals is critical. Join us for a practical overview of HA/DR technologies including Db2 Mirror, Live Partition Mobility, Logical and Software-Based Replication, Full System Replication, and PowerHA. You’ll leave with a clearer roadmap to help you make informed decisions and confidently chart your HA/DR journey.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn the importance of considering your recovery point objective and recovery time objective for different types of outages 2. Learn how different technologies can help achieve various RPO and RTO targets. 3. Learn how the technologies can be combined
Speakers
avatar for Brian Nordland

Brian Nordland

Director of Development, Fortra
Brian Nordland is the Director of Development for IBM Power Development at Fortra. Brian has been a prominent speaker at events, webinars, and user groups, including COMMON and LUG for over a decade. He is a co-inventor on multiple patents and has authored technical publications in... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Studio 1-2
  High Availability Resilience

8:00am CDT

Learn How to Identify IBM i Security Gaps and Prove Compliance
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Balcony L
Evaluation Survey
Not sure how secure your IBM i system really is—or how to prove it during an audit? This session is your roadmap to evaluating your system’s security posture with clarity. We’ll break down key IBM i security concepts like authority management, object security, audit trails, function usage, and authentication using Navigator for i. Learn how to interpret audit requests, uncover hidden vulnerabilities, and generate the right reports to demonstrate compliance. Plus, discover how the Audit Journal Data Mart can provide deeper visibility into system activity. Whether you're preparing for an audit or simply want to understand your system’s strengths and gaps, this session will help you move from uncertainty to confidence. In this session you will gain: Understanding of core IBM i security concepts ✅ Interpret and respond to common audit requirements Leverage built in tools for enhanced visibility

Learning Objectives:

Understanding of core IBM i security concepts ✅ Interpret and respond to common audit requirements Leverage built in tools for enhanced visibility
Speakers
avatar for Amy Williams

Amy Williams

Principal Security Consultant, Fortra LLC
Amy Williams is a Principal Security Services Consultant at Fortra, where she has worked since 2015. She holds CISSP, CISA, and PCI-P certifications and has nearly 30 years of experience on the IBM i platform across system administration, architecture, and application security in... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Balcony L
  Security, Security

8:00am CDT

A Journey to the Truth....with AI and Ansible!
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Studio 3-4
Evaluation Survey
Sometimes, the answer to a tricky problem is right in front of you - you just have to know where to look. That’s what the team at PC Richard & Son discovered while rolling out our next-generation POS solution to our fleet of IBM i systems using Ansible. Everything was going well until we hit a hardware issue on one IBM Power Server. Fixing that single machine was easy, but figuring out if the same issue was quietly lurking on other servers? That was the real challenge. Join us for a real-world case study on how we used Ansible and AI in creative ways to find and fix hidden problems before they caused major headaches. We’ll share what we learned, how AI helped us work smarter, and how you can apply these lessons to your own environment.

Learning Objectives:

`- How a simple hardware failure led to a bigger discovery. - How Ansible can be used for more than just automation. - Tips for leveraging AI in solving problems. - Ways to spot hidden issues before they become big problems. - Practical tips to make your infrastructure more reliable.
Speakers
avatar for Steven Wolk

Steven Wolk

CTO, PC Richard & Son
Steven Wolk is the CTO for PC Richard & Son. Founded in 1909, PC Richard is a family owned and operated chain of over 65 appliance, electronics, and mattress superstores located throughout NY, NJ, CT, and PA. Steve's deep background in retail began on the sales floor while in college... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Studio 3-4
  Systems Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Programmer Tools, Storage Technologies, Systems Management, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

8:00am CDT

Using Performance Data Investigator in IBM Navigator for i
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 4
Evaluation Survey
In this session, you will hear about visualizing performance data using Performance Data Investigator (PDI) in IBM Navigator for i. While I demonstrate some of the key features, you will be learning the basics of how to use Performance Data Investigator (PDI) to perform performance analysis and view performance trends over time.

Topic teasers: collection services, graph history, export, stacking, tabs, breadcrumbs, multiples, custom

Learning Objectives:
1. How to use Performance Data Investigator to perform performance analysis
2. How to use the Graph History feature of Performance Data Investigator to view performance trends over time.
Speakers
avatar for Shauna Rollings

Shauna Rollings

Senior Software Engineer - IBM i Performance Tools & High Availability Development, IBM
Shauna joined the IBM i development team in 2008. She has developed and supported IBM i performance data collector tools throughout her entire IBM career. From the very beginning of the Db2 Mirror for i project, she has also been the technical team lead for the Db2 Mirror Configuration... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 4
  Systems Management

8:00am CDT

AI Is Probabilistic — Your Testing Shouldn’t Be: Mitigating Risk in the Age of Uncertainty
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 6
Evaluation Survey
As AI becomes part of the enterprise stack, the risk of “black box” behavior grows. This session explores how rigorous, automated testing brings control and clarity to AI-enabled systems — especially when the IBM i is part of the critical infrastructure. We'll discuss: - Why traditional QA doesn’t work on AI-driven processes — and what does - How to validate AI behavior with deterministic test structures - Aligning AI testing with compliance, audit, and operational risk standards - Building an automation strategy that balances innovation with resilience

Learning Objectives:

You will learn how to use AI LLM, like BOB or other, and mitigate risks.
Speakers
avatar for Pascal Polverini

Pascal Polverini

CTO, POLVERINI & PARTNERS
With thirty years of professional experience in North America, Europe and Australia Pascal Polverini has a strong experience in digital transformation, strategy roadmap and planning, end-to-end software architectures, with expertise on DB, programming languages, communication protocols... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 6
  Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Artificial Intelligence (AI), IT Leadership & Management, IT Strategy, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

8:00am CDT

IBM i Client Innovation Stories
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 3
Evaluation Survey
IBM i clients around the world in industries such as retail, distribution, consumer products, and more continued to innovate throughout 2025. These organizations leveraged open source technologies and infused AI into their business processes to modernize operations, automate routine tasks, and boost productivity in new ways. From smarter automation to cloud optimization, IBM i continues to evolve as a platform for innovation and growth. Join Brandon Pederson, IBM i and Power Product Marketing Manager, and Steve Will, IBM i Chief Technology Officer and Distinguished Engineer, to explore how clients are using IBM i to modernize, integrate AI, and drive digital transformation. You will leave the session with new ideas to advance your business, practical examples of AI-driven innovation, and inspiration to take your IBM i strategy to the next level.

Learning Objectives:

•Discover real-world modernization strategies •Understand how AI enhances IBM i operations and business value •Apply proven innovation patterns to your own environment
Speakers
avatar for Steve Will

Steve Will

IBM i CTO & Chief Architect, IBM

avatar for Brandon Pederson

Brandon Pederson

IBM i and Power Product Marketing Manager, IBM

Brandon Pederson is the Product Marketing Manager for IBM i and Modernization within the IBM Power business. Prior to this role, Brandon was Content Marketing Manager for IBM WebSphere and Content and Community Manager for IBM Power. He has a degree in Marketing from Concordia Uni... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 3
  Technologies Integrated with IBM i, IT Leadership & Management, IT Strategy, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

8:00am CDT

IBM i ACS: From Soup to Nuts
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Studio 7-8
Evaluation Survey
Come and join us for this mini-Workshop on a range of IBM i Access Client Solutions topics.  Some of the topics covered will include Functional Overview; Deployment: Securing Functions; Administration; Scripting Functions and Q&A.

Learning Objectives:  Become more familiar with several IBM i ACS topics like Deployment, Securing Functions, Administration and Scripting Functions
Speakers
avatar for Wayne Bowers

Wayne Bowers

IBM i Global Support, IBM
Wayne Bowers has been with IBM since 1997, where he works with the IBM i Global Support Center in Rochester MN. He is an Advisory Software Engineer specializing in the support of the IBM i Access (aka Client Access) products, Console, the TCP Telnet communications server, and the... Read More →
avatar for Joey Fritz

Joey Fritz

IBM i Global Support, IBM
Joey joined the IBM i Global Support Center in 2021. He is a Technical Support Professional whose areas of expertise include Access Client Solutions, Console, and Navigator for i.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Studio 7-8
  Client Connectivity

8:00am CDT

Getting Started VS Code and IBM i Workshop
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 5
Evaluation Survey
Dive into VS Code and CODE for IBM i / DB2 extensions with this perfect starter Lab. Many RPG developers are unfamiliar with VS Code, and beginning with this IDE can feel daunting. This lab offers a introduction to both VS Code and the Code for IBM i / DB2 development environment. To Participate the attendee MUST BRING A LAPTOP! The attendee will receive access to an IBM i system to engage in lab tasks. By the end of the lab: The basics of VS Code. Installing and VS Code extensions Navigating the Code for IBM i development environment.

Learning Objectives:

Overview of VS Code Introduction to the VS Code IDE Installing IBM i extensions Connecting to the IBM i system Editing and compiling modules, service programs and creating runnable RPG objects Running and Debugging a program Using SQL DB2 in VS code
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Lyons

Michelle Lyons

COO, imPower Technologies


avatar for Jim Buck

Jim Buck

CEO & Head Instructor, imPower Technologies

Jim Buck’s career in IT has spanned more than 35+ years, primarily in college education, manufacturing, and healthcare industries. Past president (13 years) of the Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Association (www.wmcpa.org) and has served on several teams developing IBM... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 5
  Programmer Tools, IT Strategy, Personal Development, Programmer Tools, Programming: General

8:00am CDT

SYSTOOLS Services
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Balcony I-J
Evaluation Survey
With the last releases and technology refreshes IBM provided a bunch of new IBM i and Db2 Services. A lot of these Services provide functionalities that are not directly available in RPG or can only be implemented in RPG by calling complex System APIs and/or by using pointer handling for accessing the data. However, IBM provides new SQL services mostly located in the SYSTOOLS schema that can write data into the IFS, delete old spool files and even transform a spool file into a PDF document. With other services the SQL queries can be executed and the result saved as Excel-Sheets or *.csv files. Even eMails can be easily sent with the aid of an IBM i service. And the best, we can put all together This session will show a sub-set of SQL and IBM Services which can easily be embedded in any programming language that supports SQL and, in this way, can make live much easier.

Learning Objectives:

In this session you’ll learn how specific SQL Services can be implemented with embedded SQL in RPG or Cobol and how the formerly complex source code can be reduced.
Speakers
avatar for Birgitta Hauser
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Balcony I-J
  RPG, Database, Programming: RPG

8:00am CDT

IBM i Integrated MFA Solution
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 2
Evaluation Survey
The exciting new 7.6 IBM i integrated MFA solution includes multiple features. Come learn what is possible and how the features can be combined to secure your system. We will Deep Dive on TOTP. The integrated IBM i MFA solution's primary new feature is Time-based One Time Password (TOTP) authentication implemented as a user profile attribute. We will discuss details on the implementation and expand on configuration and use.

Learning Objectives:

Understand how to setup MFA on IBM i 7.6 Understand how MFA affects various types of user authentications
Speakers
avatar for Robert Andrews

Robert Andrews

Principal Security Consultant, IBM
Robert Andrews is a Principal Security Consultant, Senior Technical Staff Member (STSM), and Team Lead for the IBM i Security Expert Labs team in Rochester, MN. An IBM Certified Thought Leader and The Open Group Distinguished Technical Specialist, Robert has specialized in IT security... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 2
  Security, Security

8:00am CDT

Managing the startup and shutdown of IBM i
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Balcony K
Evaluation Survey
In days gone by the IBM supplied program QSTRUP combined with a couple options on CHGIPLA was good enough for most IBM i shops. It started what seemed to be needed and anything else we stumbled through after each IPL. When it was time to shut down a PWRDWNSYS or ENDSBS command took down whatever was running. We were happy. Today though we often see dozens of subsytems running many web servers, other needed batch jobs and services. We see monitors and queue processing jobs and many writers. For security purposes we should be starting only the TCP servers that we need, not all of them. Likely we should not start IPV6 and start things in sequence as well. Further considerations may be needed in an HA environment. These include not starting jobs until iASPS are available and starting different IP interfaces and services depending on production or backup mode of the server. We may want to handle special startup modes while doing PTFs, backups or other system maintenance. In this session we will work with customizing that startup. We'll discuss staring PASE jobs with QSH, web server jobs and more. Finally we will also work with sequencing the shutdown of the system. As part of this we'll discuss some simple ways to know what needs to be shut down and smoothly handling that.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to control which startup program will run on your IBM i. 2. Examine the various servers to start and how to control them. 3. Learn options for starting different services. 4. Consider ways to control the startup of your server in different operating modes. 5. Understanding an orderly shutdown of your IBM i server.
Speakers
avatar for Larry Bolhuis

Larry Bolhuis

Principal IBM Power Systems Architect, Service Express
Larry has grown up with computers since his father became a CE in 1967. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Calvin College in 1982.After 2 years working with early PCs and servers her began working on IBM midrange equipment with the S/34 and S/36 He moved to AS/400 at its introduction In 1988. Early in his career he was a developer, then migrated to networking, system design, upgrades and general systems... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 8:00am - 10:15am CDT
Balcony K
  Systems Management, High Availability Resilience, Networking, Security, Systems Management, Virtualization

9:15am CDT

Work Faster on IBM i: Using AI to Analyze, Modernize, and Deliver More
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 4
Evaluation Survey
AI is quickly becoming a practical tool for improving how IBM i teams analyze, modernize and deliver applications. But knowing where it fits and how to apply it effectively is key. In this session, we will examine how AI can be used to interpret complex IBM i code, generate meaningful documentation, and assist in modernization initiatives. We will also cover how these capabilities can be integrated into existing development workflows to improve speed and consistency without introducing unnecessary risk. With real examples and practical guidance, you will learn how to move from experimentation to execution with AI in your IBM I environment.


Learning Objectives:
  • Understand AI-driven techniques for analyzing and documenting IBM I applications.
  • Learn how AI can assist with code transformation and modernization strategies.
  • Explore integration of AI into existing IBM I development workflows.
  • Get practical guidance on moving from AI exploration to implementation.

Speakers
avatar for Chris Koppe

Chris Koppe

SVP Strategy Services, Fresche Solutions
Chris Koppe is responsible for developing client transformation strategies at Fresche Solutions. He has led the development of legacy management strategies for hundreds of companies, across a variety of platforms, languages, databases, and technologies. This insight has allowed Chris... Read More →
avatar for Steve Cast

Steve Cast

Practice Director/Treasurer Common Europe, Fresche Solutions
I lead the European team at Fresche Solutions, one of the world's largest IBM i dedicated teams outside of IBM.

In my role as Practice Director of Fresche Europe, I continue to build on the success of my 40+ years of working in this sector, by combining the comprehensive IBM i too

... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 4
  Artificial Intelligence (AI)

9:15am CDT

Visual Explain - IBM's SQL Performance Show-&-Tell
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Studio 3-4
Evaluation Survey
For many years now IBM have positioned SQL as the primary interface to the database on IBM i. At the same time, new capabilities are being added only to SQL, not to the native database interface. We need a different tool to understand and analyze query implementation plans and feedback from the optimizer – the SQL component that determines the most effective way to deliver the data we ask for in SQL statements. Visual Explain is just such a tool, and it both shows us graphically what plan the optimizer has chosen, as well as tells us details about each step along the way. It can also give us suggestions on ways to improve performance of our queries. With IBM i 7.6, IBM continue to enhance our ability to manage the database effectively.

Learning Objectives:

1. A brief description of optimization with SQL 2. The several ways of invoking Visual Explain 3. The various panes of the Visual Explain window 4. Some features of Visual Explain for managing how it behaves 5. Examples of improved performance after using suggested changes
Speakers
avatar for Vern Hamberg

Vern Hamberg

Senior iSeries Developer, OneMain Financial
Vern has worked on IBM midrange systems for over 35 years, beginning with the System/38 and AS/400. At present he is a Senior iSeries Developer at OneMain Financial. He serves on the Strategic Education Team (SET) of COMMON and is one of the SMEs for Db2. He is also honored to have... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Studio 3-4
  Database, Programming: RPG

9:15am CDT

AI on Power
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Studio 1-2
Evaluation Survey
The speaker's insights into running AI workloads on Power. Some history of how the Power approach to Machine Learning, Large Language Models, and Transformers evolved up to Power 11 and Spyre.

Learning Objectives:

1. Python libraries for AI on Power 2. CPU/MMA support for AI on Power 3. Spyre on Power
Speakers
avatar for Jack Woehr

Jack Woehr

Senior Engineer / Senior Consultant, Consulting to Procern Technology Solutions and Seiden Group LLC
40+ years development. IBM Champion 2021-2026.
IBM Qiskit Advocate since 2019. Secretary, OpenQASM Technical Steering Committee. MongoDB Creator status. Prolific Open Source creator/contributor. Former Contributing Editor, Dr. Dobb's Journal.
Consult on IBM i AI modernization... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Studio 1-2
  General Programming, Artificial Intelligence (AI)

9:15am CDT

Node 101: Getting started on IBM i
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Studio 9-10
Evaluation Survey
Node.js empowers IBM i developers to build modern web services and APIs, leveraging a vast ecosystem of ready-to-use packages via npm (Node Package Manager). This session introduces Node.js through an RPG perspective, demonstrating a simple web service that queries a physical file on IBM i using the idb-connector module and serves JSON data to a browser. The instructor will showcase Node.js basics, compare them to RPG concepts like subprocedures and file operations, and deploy the service on IBM i. No prior Node.js experience is required, but it would be helpful to have a basic understanding of JavaScript (as covered in the preceding JavaScript 101 session). Topics for this session will include Node.js setup, modules, asynchronous programming, Express.js for web services, the benefits of npm’s extensive package repository, and deployment steps. Attendees will receive a handout with code, setup instructions, and resources for further study.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand Node.js, its relevance for RPG developers, and the power of npm’s vast library of packages for rapid development. • Learn how to use idb-connector to access IBM i database tables and serve data via a web service. • Gain insights into Node.js setup, coding, and deployment on IBM i, with resources for continued learning.
Speakers
avatar for Robert Swanson

Robert Swanson

Senior Partner, CNX
Rob has worked as an in-the-trenches IBM i developer since 1992, with the past 15 years focused on developing modernization efforts for legacy systems written in RPG. Currently serving as Senior Partner for CNX Corporation in Chicago, Rob is a strong advocate of introducing highly... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Studio 9-10
  General Programming

9:15am CDT

Building Your AI-Powered IBM i Knowledge Base: Preserving Expertise Before It Retires
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 1
Evaluation Survey
Your senior developers hold decades of business logic in their heads. When they retire, that knowledge walks out the door. But what if you could capture that expertise in an AI system that new developers could query? In this session, we'll show you how to build intelligent documentation systems that preserve institutional knowledge. You'll see how AI can analyze existing applications to extract business rules, generate comprehensive documentation from code, and create interactive knowledge bases that answer questions about your systems. We'll demonstrate techniques for documenting legacy applications automatically, capturing tribal knowledge through AI-assisted interviews, and building searchable knowledge bases that understand context. You'll learn practical approaches for knowledge preservation, see real examples of companies that successfully captured expertise before retirement, and understand the tools and processes required. Whether you're facing imminent retirements or want to preserve knowledge proactively, you'll leave with actionable strategies for protecting your organization's most valuable asset: expertise.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will learn strategies for using AI to preserve institutional knowledge before experts retire. They'll understand automated documentation techniques, knowledge capture processes, and implementation approaches for AI-powered knowledge bases that make expertise accessible.
Speakers
avatar for Aaron Magid

Aaron Magid

Chief Architect, Eradani
Aaron Magid, Chief Architect at Eradani, has over a decade of experience in software development and technology. He specializes in modernizing legacy systems like IBM i/AS400 using Python, Node.js, and Java. Aaron excels in bridging old and new technologies together for clients, helping... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 1
  IT Strategy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), IT Leadership & Management, IT Strategy

9:15am CDT

Agentic AI: Let's Design the Future
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Balcony M-N
Evaluation Survey
The IBM i team wants to try something with the participants of POWERUp. We have a chance, at this conference, to collaborate with you on the kinds of things you'd like to see IBM i accomplish with AI in the future. Come to this session to participate as we use collaboration and design concepts to dream about what IBM i might do in the future.

Speakers
avatar for Steve Will

Steve Will

IBM i CTO & Chief Architect, IBM

avatar for Kris Whitney

Kris Whitney

IBM
Kris Whitney is a Senior Technical Staff Member at IBM Rochester. He is currently the IBM i Chief Engineer
avatar for Adam Shedivy

Adam Shedivy

Software Developer, IBM
Adam is a software Developer working on Agentic AI solutions for IBM i
avatar for Brandon Pederson

Brandon Pederson

IBM i and Power Product Marketing Manager, IBM

Brandon Pederson is the Product Marketing Manager for IBM i and Modernization within the IBM Power business. Prior to this role, Brandon was Content Marketing Manager for IBM WebSphere and Content and Community Manager for IBM Power. He has a degree in Marketing from Concordia Uni... Read More →
avatar for Jesse Gorzinski

Jesse Gorzinski

STSM and Senior Business Architect - AI and Open Source, IBM
Experienced business architect from IBM and a specialist in the IBM i platform. My passion is enabling enterprises to adopt artificial intelligence and open source technologies.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Balcony M-N
  NDA, Artificial Intelligence (AI)

9:15am CDT

Making the most of DCM certificate resources
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Balcony L
Evaluation Survey
These days, using TLS to secure connections is a required practice. But if you are unfamiliar with generating public and private keys, working with certificates and using DCM to secure your IBM i apps, things can be a little intimidating. What if I do it wrong? How can I use third party certificate providers and how does it all work with my domain registrar? There are many moving parts in the TLS world. This session will focus on describing the parts and how they work together with DCM to sanely manage your secure access on IBM i.

Learning Objectives:

1) Learn the basic components of TLS. 2) See how each relates to the IBM i 3) Step through the process on IBM i DCM 4) Look at 3rd party tools and certificate providers like Letsencrypt and see how to leverage them on IBM i
Speakers
avatar for Pete Helgren

Pete Helgren

Owner/Consultant, Value Added Software
Pete is a developer with broad experience across multiple languages and platforms, including over 30 years of system 3X/AS400/iSeries/IBM i experience. He holds certifications as a GIAC Cloud Penetration Tester, GIAC Secure Software Programmer-Java, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Balcony L
  Security, Security

9:15am CDT

Basics of System Adminstration for Programmers
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 3
Evaluation Survey
Are you a programmer now responsible for administrating your IBM I system? Would you happen to know what you need to manage the system successfully? What commands do I need to know? This session will cover the basics of System Administration that you need to know to manage your IBM i. You can learn what you need to know to do your system's daily care and feeding.

Learning Objectives:
1.) Understand how to check your system messages to know everything is ok.
2.) Make sure that you are saving the right stuff.
3.) Basics of security
4.) What are PTFs, and how to manage PTFs
Speakers
avatar for Pete Massiello

Pete Massiello

IBM i Advisor, Massiello Holding Corp.
Pete Massiello has been working with the AS/400, iSeries, IBM i since 1989, focusing on systems management and technical support. He has held numerous technical positions through out his career. He is the President of iTech Solutions Group, an IBM Premier Business Partner delivering... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 3
  Systems Management

9:15am CDT

How to Validate and Control AI Uncertainty from BOB or Any LLM for Reliable Business Outcomes
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 6
Evaluation Survey
Artificial Intelligence, by nature, is probabilistic. Even in narrow tolerance bands, AI models can generate varying results for the same inputs — not due to bugs, but because of the statistical nature of learning. While this flexibility allows AI to deal with complex problems, it also introduces uncertainty — a dangerous liability in high-stakes business contexts. In using Project BOB or any LLM to modernize or transform code you can get mistakes, bugs or hallucinations in the new code, and sometimes those errors can be very tricky to be identified and corrected, it could be like looking for a needle in a haystack. In this session, we will see which methodologies to adopt to master these problems, to control any AI mistakes and also to influence and guide AI to fix and avoid them.

Learning Objectives:

For project managers and programmers this session will show what framework to settle and which methodologies to adopt in order to optimize quality outcomes and reliability from LLM, especially in a code-assistant and code-generator business perimeter.
Speakers
avatar for Pascal Polverini

Pascal Polverini

CTO, POLVERINI & PARTNERS
With thirty years of professional experience in North America, Europe and Australia Pascal Polverini has a strong experience in digital transformation, strategy roadmap and planning, end-to-end software architectures, with expertise on DB, programming languages, communication protocols... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 6
  Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Artificial Intelligence (AI), IT Leadership & Management, IT Strategy, Program Testing, Programmer Tools, Programming: Frameworks, Programming: General, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

10:15am CDT

Coffee Break
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:15am - 10:45am CDT
Grand Ballroom

Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:15am - 10:45am CDT
Grand Ballroom
  Conference Events

10:45am CDT

SQL and IFS
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Balcony L
Evaluation Survey
SQL is great for accessing data located in a relational database. But in a modern world it is also necessary to consume data that is located in the IFS (Integrated File System) or provided by web services With each Technology Refresh IBM introduces and enhances Db2 for i Services. With one of the latest Technology Refreshs provided new SQL Stored Procedures for reading data from and writing Data into the IFS. In composition with other SQL Functions it is easy to scan through IFS files or decompose *.csv files or JSON files or XML documents located in the IFS.

Learning Objectives:

In this session you’ll learn how to write data to the IFS and how to read IFS files, by using no other programming language than SQL. It will be also demonstrated how to access and decompose *.csv files located in the IFS without copying them into a physical file or SQL table.
Speakers
avatar for Birgitta Hauser
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Balcony L
  Database, Database

10:45am CDT

How Should You Maintain Your IBM Platform To Get the Optimal Value for Your Business Needs?
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 5
Evaluation Survey
Who today is helping you optimize your infrastructure? Do you have the right set-up for zero planned downtime and autonomous error resolution? How about fast visibility to any missing patches or upgrades on your inventory?
Come in for a discussion with Technology lifecycle support on what you can get from IBM maintenance. We will touch on the value you obtain through expert care, a technical account manager or the occasional health check of your inventory. We will also talk about the lifecycle of your inventory, what are the risks connected to having old inventory and how can IBM help mitigate those risks.
Lastly the transition to subscription for all IBM i user are here, so how do we embrace it in the best manner? There are lot’s of details and fine print to consider in this transition, and we know that several of you are asking for support from IBM in this transition. Technology lifecycle support offers help and has several proposals to you - and at the same time would like to engage in a discussion with you to understand more about the challenges. Come join the discussion with our IBM i specialists to get good ideas, pointers and give your own input. 

Speakers
avatar for Lisa Stampe

Lisa Stampe

Leader of Power Support Product Management, IBM
avatar for Radovan Gaher

Radovan Gaher

Premium and Software Lead, Power Support Product Management, IBM
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 5
  Developing Business Skills

10:45am CDT

Deep Dive with Bob
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Balcony I-J
Evaluation Survey
In this session we will put Project Bob to work. We will do a live demo of Project Bob, how the powerful interaction between the developer and the AI tooling can help you solve problems, gain insight and understanding that was not possible in the past. We will explore several user cases on how Project Bob can be leverage by the Architect as well as the core programmer.

Learning Objectives:

Project Bob
Speakers
avatar for Liam Allan

Liam Allan

Software Advocate, IBM
I am a developer and open-source advocate. Ask me about Node.js, VS Code, app deployment and CICD :) 
avatar for Sanjula Ganepola

Sanjula Ganepola

Software Developer - IBM i App Dev & AI Toolchain, IBM
Sanjula Ganepola is a Software Developer at IBM working on IBM i application development tools. As an open-source advocate, he is an active contributor and maintainer of several Visual Studio Code extensions including IBM i Project Explorer, Code for IBM i, IBM i Testing, Source Orbit... Read More →
avatar for Tim Rowe

Tim Rowe

STSM - IBM i Business Architect, IBM USA
Tim Rowe is a Senior Technical Staff Member within IBM i development and spends most of his time working as the Architect for Application Development and Systems Management. He has been working on the IBM i operating system since 1989. Tim is a frequent author, industry speaker and... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Balcony I-J
  General Programming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Programmer Tools

10:45am CDT

Securing Open Source on IBM i
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 2
Evaluation Survey
Open source software brings innovation, flexibility, and modern development tools to IBM i, but also new security responsibilities. In this session, Alan Seiden explains how to keep your IBM i environment safe while benefiting from open technologies. You’ll learn how to assess and strengthen your open source supply chain, including precautions for VS Code extensions and lessons from recent Node.js npm attacks. Alan will share practical guidance on patching and updating PHP and other open source components, defending against denial-of-service threats, and applying IBM i-specific measures and permissions. The session includes some of the latest developments in web and application security that every IBM i administrator and developer should understand to protect today’s connected systems.

Learning Objectives:

`- Evaluate and strengthen the open source supply chain. - Apply practical security measures for open source technologies on IBM i - Implement IBM i-specific hardening techniques
Speakers
avatar for Alan Seiden

Alan Seiden

Principal Consultant, Seiden Group
How to modernize and create something new while leveraging your valuable business logic. Supporting developers, mentoring, staff augmentation, architecture, development and programming. Seiden PHP+ Server for IBM i, 
APIs, IBM i, open source, web, PHP, Node.js, Python, RPG, ERPs... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 2
  General Programming, Security

10:45am CDT

The POWER OF READY – Real Disasters, Real Recovery, Lessons Learned
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Studio 3-4
Evaluation Survey
Businesses today demand up-time, and reliability to move product and deliver services. Can your IBM i survive a sudden, unplanned event? Learn from multiple Data Center, Cloud, and regional disasters, to know if your DR Solution works in an actual Disaster. People, Technology and Geography are common critical points of failure. Let's keep our mistakes Original!

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize common points of failure across people, technology, and geography during real disasters. 2. Learn how to design and execute a DR plan that performs under real-world conditions. 3. Build organizational resilience through effective planning, communication, and testing.
Speakers
avatar for Richard Dolewski

Richard Dolewski

VP, Hybrid Enterprise Solutions, Lightedge
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Studio 3-4
  High Availability Resilience, High Availability Resilience

10:45am CDT

Embracing Change - A Customer's Journey From Legacy to WOW!
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Balcony M-N
Evaluation Survey
We’ve all heard the saying: Don’t be afraid of change - be afraid of not changing. But let’s be honest - change is hard. Whether it’s outdated technology, entrenched processes, or resistance from within, modernization can feel like an uphill battle. Does it frustrate you when your applications are labeled legacy? You're not alone. This session is a real-world case study of how one retailer navigated the journey to modern application development using IBM technologies, including Power, IBM i, Ansible, and more. Along the way, they didn’t just modernize their apps—they transformed how IT is perceived within the company. IT is in a prime position to drive meaningful change. But how do you start? How do you overcome resistance and build excitement? In this session, you’ll learn practical strategies to shift mindsets, gain leadership buy-in, and turn legacy into WOW!

Learning Objectives:

`- The key differences between modernization and modern application development—and why it matters. - Proven strategies to lead people through change and turn skeptics into champions. - How to demonstrate the business value of IT and secure executive buy-in. - Lessons from a company that successfully transitioned to modern application development—and its approach to IT.
Speakers
avatar for Steven Wolk

Steven Wolk

CTO, PC Richard & Son
Steven Wolk is the CTO for PC Richard & Son. Founded in 1909, PC Richard is a family owned and operated chain of over 65 appliance, electronics, and mattress superstores located throughout NY, NJ, CT, and PA. Steve's deep background in retail began on the sales floor while in college... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Balcony M-N
  IT Strategy, IT Leadership & Management

10:45am CDT

Building a Quick Website on IBM i using Python?
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Studio 7-8
Evaluation Survey
There are many tools for building basic web content on IBM I and Python has a few options. We’ll explore Flask briefly and then do a deep dive on Flask and FastAPI.

Learning Objectives:

1) Consider complete solutions vs back end & front end models. 2) See Flask in action with jinja templates. 3) Explore FastAPI and how it can be used to hydrate JavaScript front ends.
Speakers
avatar for Mike Pavlak

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Programmers.io
Mike Pavlak has been working with IBM midrange solutions since 1992 and IBM Mainframes before that. After years of developing applications using RPG, CL and PHP he managed IT development and IT for power protection manufacturer Tripp Lite. Later Mike was instrumental in developing... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Studio 7-8
  Python

10:45am CDT

Diving into the Deep End of IBM i Security
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Studio 1-2
Evaluation Survey
What is an authorized pointer? How does the authority checking algorithm really work? What are the performance aspects of IBM i security? Using her knowledge obtained as IBM i Security team leader, Carol Woodbury answers these questions and more, as she takes you into the depths of IBM i security.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the deeply technical aspects of IBM i Security.
Speakers
avatar for Carol Woodbury

Carol Woodbury

IBM i Security SME and Senior Advisor, Kisco
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Studio 1-2
  Security

10:45am CDT

Farewell Tape…  Long Live Tape!
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 1
Evaluation Survey
This session will take in a brief review of the history of magnetic media on the IBM i, along with some of the issues along the way.  It will offer a wider variety of options available to backup/archive data from the IBM I today, with a look at techniques that have become more prevalent (and feasible) in current implementations.  Attendees will get information that may provide more possibilities for their own environments than they knew were available.
Speakers
avatar for Aaron Brown

Aaron Brown

Sr. Solutions Architect, ProActive Solutions Inc.
Aaron Brown is a Sr. Solutions Architect with ProActive Solutions, Inc, an IBM Business Partner based in Mission, Kansas.  

Aaron left a career in retail management to take a computer operator job on some system called an "AS/400" nearly 30 years ago. Over those 30 years, he has been able to work with some very large implementations (and some smaller implementations) of IBM i - giving him a broad scope... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 1
  Systems Management

10:45am CDT

IBM i Performance Data Collectors
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 6
Evaluation Survey
The IBM i operating system has several different tools to collect data for performance analysis. In this session, you will learn when and how to use the following tools: Collection Services, Job Watcher, Disk Watcher, and Performance Explorer.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn which tool is the right tool to use in different scenarios.
2. Learn how to run each tool and use visualization tools to analyze the performance data collected.
Speakers
avatar for Shauna Rollings

Shauna Rollings

Senior Software Engineer - IBM i Performance Tools & High Availability Development, IBM
Shauna joined the IBM i development team in 2008. She has developed and supported IBM i performance data collector tools throughout her entire IBM career. From the very beginning of the Db2 Mirror for i project, she has also been the technical team lead for the Db2 Mirror Configuration... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 6
  Systems Management

10:45am CDT

Modern Offsite Data Protection for IBM i: Reducing Risk Without Adding Complexity
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 4
Evaluation Survey
Many IBM i environments still rely on tape vaulting or backup-only second sites for offsite protection, approaches that struggle to meet today’s recovery, security, and audit requirements. These models introduce operational overhead, slow restores, and increased exposure to ransomware and data integrity issues. This session examines what effective offsite data protection for IBM i should look like today, with a focus on recoverability, immutability, and operational efficiency. We’ll review where traditional offsite strategies commonly fail and clarify the practical differences between replication, backup copies, and offsite recovery data. Attendees will be introduced to a modern, fully managed offsite copy approach designed specifically for IBM Power environments. The solution integrates with existing IBM i backup tools, supports immutable retention, and delivers predictable restore performance, without adding infrastructure or changing day-to-day operations.

Session takeaway:
Attendees will leave with a clear framework for evaluating offsite data protection options for IBM i and identifying approaches that improve recovery confidence while reducing operational burden.
Speakers
avatar for Dale Hoffman

Dale Hoffman

VP of Product, FalconStor

Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 4
  Systems Management

10:45am CDT

AI and IBM i DevSecOps, the current state of tooling
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Studio 9-10
Evaluation Survey
AI and DevSecOps is a rapidly evolving area of functionality where there is overlap between the open systems world and the IBM i. In this session I will look at tools we can use right now to help us progress on our DevSecOps journey and also areas where the AI knowledge lags behind. I will show actual examples that will speed up your adoption of DevSecOps and enhance you use of these tools to streamline your Application Lifecycle management workflow, from the developer to deployment and everything in-between!

Learning Objectives:

Learn what AI tools can be successful be applied to IBM i specific requirements and what tools aren't quite ready yet.
Speakers
avatar for Jeffrey Tickner

Jeffrey Tickner

Consultant, ARCAD Software
Jeff Tickner has worked in Change Management on the IBM I for 27 years at different companies. He  has long experience with all kinds Source Control and Change Management packages from SourceSafe to Subversion and of course, Git. Jeff currently works for ARCAD Software, an international... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Studio 9-10
  Technologies Integrated with IBM i, DevOps, Programmer Tools, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

10:45am CDT

Log Aggregation with Grafana Loki
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 3
Evaluation Survey
Learn why log aggregation is important, the many features of Grafana Loki (a free, open source log aggregation system), and how to integrate IBM i with it

Learning Objectives:

Learn why log aggregation is important, the many features of Grafana Loki (a free, open source log aggregation system), and how to integrate IBM i with it
Speakers
avatar for Jesse Gorzinski

Jesse Gorzinski

STSM and Senior Business Architect - AI and Open Source, IBM
Experienced business architect from IBM and a specialist in the IBM i platform. My passion is enabling enterprises to adopt artificial intelligence and open source technologies.
avatar for Ashwin Srinivas

Ashwin Srinivas

Senior Product Manager AI for IBM Power, IBM
I am responsible for the driving AI SW offerings on IBM Power servers supporting use cases that are relevant to IBM Power customers. I am  responsible for the strategy, product roadmap and market success of AI with IBM Power products related to our ecosystem of ISV solutions and... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 3
  Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

10:45am CDT

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Virtual IBM i Partitions Hosted by IBM i
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Balcony K
Evaluation Survey
BM I can host an IBM I Logical Partitions (LPAR) to provide virtual disk storage for other IBM I partitions. We will discuss when VIOS or IBM i hosing IBM i makes the most sense. This is a step-by-step process for creating hosted virtual partitions. Learn the requirements, the prerequisites, and all the steps needed to make this once you are back in the office. This will be great for creating a virtual partition to test your 7.6 upgrades or for any other partition needs.

Learning Objectives:

1) Differences between VIOS and IBM i hosting IBM i. 2) Understand the relationship between all the components of a virtual LPAR. 3) How to create virtual storage. 4) How to use this knowledge back at your shop to build your own.
Speakers
avatar for Pete Massiello

Pete Massiello

IBM i Advisor, Massiello Holding Corp.
Pete Massiello has been working with the AS/400, iSeries, IBM i since 1989, focusing on systems management and technical support. He has held numerous technical positions through out his career. He is the President of iTech Solutions Group, an IBM Premier Business Partner delivering... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Balcony K
  Virtualization, Systems Management, Virtualization

11:45am CDT

Expo Open with Lunch
Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:45am - 1:45pm CDT
Grand Ballroom
We’re bringing a full pickleball court right to the Expo floor! The court will be available throughout the conference - even outside of official Expo hours. Whether you’re a seasoned player or picking up a paddle for the first time, come rally with fellow attendees. Watch social media and your inbox for details on joining the tournament bracket and competing head-to-head!

Lunch will be served from 12PM-1PM.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:45am - 1:45pm CDT
Grand Ballroom
  Conference Events

11:50am CDT

Partner Solution Corner inside Expo
Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:50am - 1:45pm CDT
Partner Solution Corner in Grand Ballroom
Get the most up to date tools to maximize your systems.  Vendor Partner experts will be presenting 15 min Solution Sessions during mid-day and evening expo hours.  The Partner Solutions Corner is across from booth 111 and the daily schedule will be in your daily morning email.  Get all of your questions answered by knowledge leaders in POWER.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:50am - 1:45pm CDT
Partner Solution Corner in Grand Ballroom
  Conference Events

1:45pm CDT

Keynote: Agentic AI and IBM i
Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Mardi Gras Ballroom
Evaluation Survey
IBM i has long been the backbone of mission-critical enterprise workloads, prized for its reliability, security, and integrated database. But as AI evolves beyond simple chat interfaces into autonomous, action-taking agents, the IBM i ecosystem stands at an inflection point. AI agents can now reason, plan, and execute multi-step tasks. Imagine the power when married to a platform with decades of business logic and operational knowledge!

This session explores the convergence of agentic AI and IBM i, covering the emerging architecture patterns that allow AI agents to interact directly with IBM i systems. Among other things, we will examine the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that gives AI agents a structured way to discover and invoke tools, query databases, and interact with system resources. Plus, we'll give a sneak peek of some exciting offerings that may be coming in the near future!
Speakers
avatar for Jesse Gorzinski

Jesse Gorzinski

STSM and Senior Business Architect - AI and Open Source, IBM
Experienced business architect from IBM and a specialist in the IBM i platform. My passion is enabling enterprises to adopt artificial intelligence and open source technologies.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Mardi Gras Ballroom
  Conference Events

2:45pm CDT

Pups and Cups
Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:45pm - 5:45pm CDT
Preservation Foyer
There’s no better way to recharge than with a fewfurry friends. We’re partnering with a local shelter to bring you our Pups & Cups event on Wednesday. Grab a coffee, take a break, and spend some time getting to know some adorable local pups. It’s the perfect mix of caffeine and canine connection.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:45pm - 5:45pm CDT
Preservation Foyer
  Conference Events

3:45pm CDT

SQL Coding Tips & Techniques
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 4
Evaluation Survey
SQL is a very powerful language for processing data. There are many ways to write SQL statements to get the desired results. However, not all queries are created equal. This session will compare different ways to approach a problem from an SQL perspective in terms of code maintenance and performance. Taking the right approach for writing SQL helps Db2 for i help you.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding of SQL Set-based processing Learn SQL coding techniques to avoid for poor performances Tools to help capture SQL errors
Speakers
avatar for Mike Zaringhalam

Mike Zaringhalam

Developer, PC Richard & Son
Have you ever wanted to meet someone who started Hawaiian Shirt Fridays at their work place? 
If the answer is 'Yes!', then feel free to reach out with any questions you have regarding Hawaiian shirts... Or IBM i related topics. 
My main focuses are RDi, DB2, Modernization, and D... Read More →
avatar for Kent Milligan

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 →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 4
  Database

3:45pm CDT

DevAITstSecOps - the modern way to do DevOps
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Studio 9-10
Evaluation Survey
The definition of "DevOps" has changed tremendously over the last few years; no longer is it simple Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), but rather an interwoven process that begins with the typical Compile/Debug/Edit cycle, but that now also leverages Artificial Intelligence; Testing and Security steps that many supposed DevOps adopters are ignoring; and then and only then does it move to traditional CI/CD.

Learning Objectives:

Understand what terms like "DevOps" and "DevSecOps" really mean. Learn how to leverage new AI tools like GitHub Copilot as part of the development process. Reinforce how important Testing and Security are to DevSecOps.
Speakers
avatar for Kuldip Vikram

Kuldip Vikram

Senior Technical Staff Member, Architecture & Technology, Rocket Software
Kuldip is a Senior Technical Staff Member at Rocket Software responsible for modernizing IBMi applications/workloads and their development through a combination of Generative AI and pure/hybrid cloud deployments. He has a rich and diverse experience architecting, designing, developing... Read More →
avatar for Andrew Clark

Andrew Clark

Andrew Clark is the Senior Principal Software Engineer for IBM i at Rocket Software.  Andrew has over 35 years of experience on IBM i beginning with the "secret Mankato Project" on a pre-release version of OS/400, and an internship at IBM Rochester working on the Query team.  He... Read More →
HR
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Studio 9-10
  General Programming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), DevOps, IT Leadership & Management, IT Strategy, Program Testing, Programmer Tools, Security, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

3:45pm CDT

Use AI to Build an IBM i Web App in Under 10 Minutes — No Coding Required!
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 1
Evaluation Survey
Valence, the leading web and mobile framework for IBM i, is getting even smarter. In this fast-paced demo, we’ll show you how Nitro App Builder (NAB) — Valence’s browser-based low-code development tool — enables anyone with solid IBM i database knowledge to build and deploy modern web or mobile apps in minutes. But that’s just the beginning. You’ll get an exclusive sneak peek at Valence 6.4, featuring powerful new IBM i–centric AI capabilities designed to accelerate development like never before. With the integrated AI assistant, you can:
  • Instantly generate app components
  • Build dashboards and inquiry apps with download-to-Excel functionality
  • Create intuitive data entry apps
  • Even generate RPG or SQL logic with AI assistance
No coding required — but fully extensible for developers who want it. Whether you're a seasoned RPG developer, a super user who knows your physical files inside and out, or a programmer comfortable with HTML5 and JavaScript, Valence adapts to your skill level. And now with AI integrated directly into the development experience, much of the heavy lifting can be done for you. The bottom line?
You can build real, production-ready IBM i web apps — fast. Join us for a live demo of Valence 6.4, see AI in action on IBM i.
Speakers
avatar for Robert Swanson

Robert Swanson

Senior Partner, CNX
Rob has worked as an in-the-trenches IBM i developer since 1992, with the past 15 years focused on developing modernization efforts for legacy systems written in RPG. Currently serving as Senior Partner for CNX Corporation in Chicago, Rob is a strong advocate of introducing highly... Read More →
avatar for Richard Milone

Richard Milone

Managing Partner, CNX
Richard Milone has worked as an application developer on the IBM i platform and its predecessors of various names for over 25 years. Richard served as Director of IT for Packaging Resources until co-founding CNX Corporation in Chicago in 1996, where his initial focus was on ERP enhancements... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 1
  General Programming

3:45pm CDT

IBM Power11 for IBM i P05 Clients
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Balcony M-N
Evaluation Survey
The next generation of IBM Power11 processor-based servers are bringing new capabilities to entry-level environments, helping smaller and mid-sized organizations run mission-critical applications and workloads while preparing for emerging AI-driven use cases. In this confidential session, attendees will receive an early look at the upcoming Power11 entry-class servers designed for IBM i P05 clients. We will explore how these next-generation systems are designed to deliver enterprise-grade performance, integrated security, and modern infrastructure capabilities in a compact and cost-effective form factor. The session will also highlight new features such as integrated AI acceleration, scalable memory, high-speed networking, and hybrid cloud readiness. Because this session includes forward-looking product information, attendance will require signing a non-disclosure agreement prior to entry.

Speakers
avatar for Todd Boyd

Todd Boyd

STSM, IBM Power Product Mgmt., IBM Corporation
avatar for Brandon Pederson

Brandon Pederson

IBM i and Power Product Marketing Manager, IBM

Brandon Pederson is the Product Marketing Manager for IBM i and Modernization within the IBM Power business. Prior to this role, Brandon was Content Marketing Manager for IBM WebSphere and Content and Community Manager for IBM Power. He has a degree in Marketing from Concordia Uni... Read More →
avatar for Jesse Gorzinski

Jesse Gorzinski

STSM and Senior Business Architect - AI and Open Source, IBM
Experienced business architect from IBM and a specialist in the IBM i platform. My passion is enabling enterprises to adopt artificial intelligence and open source technologies.
avatar for Lisa Stampe

Lisa Stampe

Leader of Power Support Product Management, IBM
avatar for Fiona Tang

Fiona Tang

Power Product Manager, IBM
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Balcony M-N
  NDA

3:45pm CDT

Improving Software Quality via Development and Testing
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 5
Evaluation Survey
Every programmer wants to do the best job. How do you test your program and ensure that you aren't missing anything? From the simplest bug fix to large complex projects, there are key concepts that you can use to ensure that your program is properly tested. This session is co-presented by expert developer, Scott Klement, and expert tester, Yvonne Enselman so that you can see things from both a developer and tester's perspective.

Learning Objectives:

1. What are the key points in the development process where testing should be considered? 2. How developers can identify the need for support from a tester or project manager 3. How to minimize risk from software errors.
Speakers
avatar for Yvonne Enselman

Yvonne Enselman

Owner, Yvonne Enselman Professional Services
avatar for Scott Klement

Scott Klement

Managing Partner, ORC LLC
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 5
  Program Testing, Program Testing, Programming: RPG

3:45pm CDT

Modern QA and Test Automation: Elevating Reliability Across the IBM i Ecosystem
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Studio 7-8
Evaluation Survey
As technology evolves, modern Testing strategies must be integrated across the IBM i Ecosystem to improve reliability. Full Testing automation is the door to future-proof your applications from end to end. Modern Testing strategies also become pivotal to a concrete implementation of AI models, tailored to company needs. In this session we will see the "Zero Touch" automation, the different levels of capitalizations and what to do to get there, from VS code, RPGUnit, integration and end to end testing operations. We will cover: -Test strategies, Unit test, Integration test, end to end test. -Risk monitoring -KPIs -AI & LLM -DevOps -Workload -Team collaboration -Test frequency -Regression testing -Code coverage -Web app test -5250 app test -SQL app test -Dashboard -IBMi and Multiplatforms

Learning Objectives:

For project managers and programmers this session will show what framework to settle and which methodologies to adopt in order to optimize quality outcomes and reliability on QA and Testing and on the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
Speakers
avatar for Pascal Polverini

Pascal Polverini

CTO, POLVERINI & PARTNERS
With thirty years of professional experience in North America, Europe and Australia Pascal Polverini has a strong experience in digital transformation, strategy roadmap and planning, end-to-end software architectures, with expertise on DB, programming languages, communication protocols... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Studio 7-8
  Program Testing, Database, DevOps, Integrated File System (IFS), IT Strategy, Personal Development, Program Testing, Programming: Frameworks, Programming: General, Programming: PHP, Programming: Python, Programming: RPG, Programming: UI, Storage Technologies, Systems Mana

3:45pm CDT

Processing JSON with DB2 and RPG
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Studio 1-2
Evaluation Survey
Tricks” to make your life easier when you start working with JSON data. After a short discussion of the HTTP functions that have been added to QSYS2 and how they can be used with the JSON_TABLE Function, Jim shows the attendee how to work with the QSYS2.HTTP_GET and JSON_TABLE Functions to consume an API returning a JSON object. If you have tried using these functions many have problems writing the correct SQL/JSON path expressions to extract the data and represent it in a relational table. Jim will help the attendee understand this process with solid examples.

Learning Objectives:

Developers looking for clear examples of SQL/JSON path expressions with DB2. Improve developers’ understanding of SQL/JSON path expressions with DB2 and JSON. Improve developers’ understanding of how to use HTTP functions in QSYS2. Improve developers’ understanding of how to use JSON_TABLE functions.
Speakers
avatar for Jim Buck

Jim Buck

CEO & Head Instructor, imPower Technologies

Jim Buck’s career in IT has spanned more than 35+ years, primarily in college education, manufacturing, and healthcare industries. Past president (13 years) of the Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Association (www.wmcpa.org) and has served on several teams developing IBM... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Studio 1-2
  RPG, Programmer Tools, Programming: RPG

3:45pm CDT

Demystifying Integrated File System Security for Modern Secure Workloads
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 3
Evaluation Survey
The Integrated File System (IFS) remains one of the most overlooked areas in IBM i security. Many organizations either underestimate the risks posed by an unsecured IFS or lack clarity on how to effectively protect it. This oversight can leave sensitive data vulnerable to unauthorized access, manipulation, malware, and theft. In this session, attendees will learn practical strategies for securing the IFS and discover the tools and configurations necessary to implement robust protections. We’ll also explore the latest security features introduced in IBM i 7.6, which offer expanded capabilities to safeguard the IFS environment.

Learning Objectives:

Learn practical strategies for securing the IFS Discover the tools and configurations necessary to implement robust protections Explore the latest security features introduced in IBM i 7.6
Speakers
avatar for Justin Nelson

Justin Nelson

Advisory Software Engineer, IBM
Justin Nelson is a software developer within IBM i development. He has worked on the IBM i since joining IBM in 2015. He is a member of the integrated file system & servers (IFS) team and specializes in the Network Client File System (QNTC), host servers, and Network Authentication... Read More →
avatar for Sandi Moore

Sandi Moore

Sr. Solutions Engineer & IBM Power Champion, Fortra LLC
Sandi Moore is a Senior Solutions Engineer at Fortra with over 20 years of experience supporting systems monitoring and security software. She works extensively with IBM i environments and has been involved in product demonstrations, implementations, support, training, research, and... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 3
  Security, Security

3:45pm CDT

A Live Demo of Navigator for i
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Studio 3-4
Evaluation Survey
IBM Navigator for i continues to evolve with ongoing enhancements and new features. Whether you're a long-time user or just getting started, this session offers a live demo of the latest capabilities Navigator for i has to offer. Discover how these updates can improve your system management experience and streamline daily operations.

Learning Objectives:

`- Explore the newest features and improvements in IBM Navigator for i - Learn how to apply these enhancements to optimize system administration tasks
Speakers
avatar for Ann Wilkerson

Ann Wilkerson

Software Developer, IBM
Ann Wilkerson is a lead user interface developer in IBM i. She joined the Rochester lab in 2021 and has since worked on Navigator, IBM i Services, and IBM i Migrate While Active. Her focus areas include security, networking, and the IFS.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Studio 3-4
  Systems Management

3:45pm CDT

AI Agents for IBM i System Administration
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Balcony I-J
Evaluation Survey
Discover how AI agents can transform your daily system administration workflows on IBM i. This session introduces practical approaches to building agents that automate routine tasks, monitor system health, and respond to operational issues—all while leveraging the IBM i MCP server for seamless integration. You'll learn how to create both individual agents for specific tasks and orchestrated teams of agents that collaborate to solve complex administrative challenges. Through real-world examples, we'll demonstrate agents handling everything from performance monitoring and job scheduling to capacity planning and automated troubleshooting. Whether you're analyzing system logs, or optimizing Db2 for i performance, you'll leave with actionable knowledge to implement AI-powered automation in your own environment. This session is designed for system administrators who want to enhance their productivity without becoming AI experts, focusing on practical implementations using open-source tools and the official IBM i MCP server.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the architecture and capabilities of AI agents specifically designed for IBM i system administration, including how agents interact with IBM i APIs, CL commands, and Db2 for i through the MCP server interface. Implement individual AI agents for common administrative tasks such as system monitoring, job queue management, and performance analysis using practical patterns and best practices. Design multi-agent teams that collaborate to handle complex workflows, including how agents communicate, share context, and coordinate actions across different administrative domains. Evaluate appropriate use cases for AI agent automation in your environment, distinguishing between tasks best suited for agent-based solutions versus traditional scripting approaches. Deploy AI agents using the IBM i MCP server framework, including configuration, security considerations, and integration with existing system management tools and processes.
Speakers
avatar for Adam Shedivy

Adam Shedivy

Software Developer, IBM
Adam is a software Developer working on Agentic AI solutions for IBM i
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Balcony I-J
  Systems Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Database, Systems Management

3:45pm CDT

Daily Care and Feeding of IBM i.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Balcony K
Evaluation Survey
IBM i and IBM Power Servers combine to deliver a fabulously reliable environment. The operating system has rich work management capability and strong error reporting. Despite that you shouldn't ignore it or you will eventually find yourself dealing with something serious. In this session we'll cover the things you need to watch and understand allowing you to deal with them before they become serious issues.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn where to look and what to look for to know how your system is running. 2. Learn what to configure for automatic reporting of errors and problem. 3. Learn the points at which you need to begin to apply effort well before issues occur. 4. Be able to tell management: "Yes our IBM i is running well!"
Speakers
avatar for Larry Bolhuis

Larry Bolhuis

Principal IBM Power Systems Architect, Service Express
Larry has grown up with computers since his father became a CE in 1967. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Calvin College in 1982.After 2 years working with early PCs and servers her began working on IBM midrange equipment with the S/34 and S/36 He moved to AS/400 at its introduction In 1988. Early in his career he was a developer, then migrated to networking, system design, upgrades and general systems... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Balcony K
  Systems Management, Systems Management

3:45pm CDT

IBM i Performance Data Management: Best Practices
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Balcony L
Evaluation Survey
Effective performance data management is essential for maintaining a healthy and responsive IBM i environment. In this session we will cover best practices for configuring and using IBM i performance data collectors—including Collection Services, Job Watcher, and SQL collectors—balancing proper data collection with efficient use of storage. Attendees will learn how to set up data collection according to IBM-recommended guidelines, determine appropriate data retention policies, and choose storage locations for historical data. Whether you're troubleshooting performance issues or building long-term trend analyses, this session will equip you with the strategies and configurations needed to make the most of IBM i’s powerful performance data collectors and visualizers.

Learning Objectives:

Understand how to configure IBM i performance tools following best practices for proper and efficient data collection. Gain insights on how to balance proper data collection with efficient use of storage. Learn how to determine appropriate data retention periods and storage strategies based on your needs and goals.
Speakers
avatar for Eric Barsness

Eric Barsness

Global Resiliency Practice Leader, IBM
Eric Barsness is theGlobal Resiliency Practice Leader for IBM i in Expert Labs and an IBM Master Inventor. Eric specializes in IBM i resiliency, performance and scalability and has led various IBM i performance teams for most of his career. Eric has been improving customer's IBM i... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Balcony L
  Systems Management

3:45pm CDT

Azure DevOps and the IBM i, how to use DevSecOps integration between them
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 6
Evaluation Survey
Azure DevOps is a popular platform for managing Business Requirements Development since it covers the full Application lifecycle from the first request to deployment to production. How can we integrate the Azure tools with IBM i functions so that we can manage the front end right along with the back end on the IBM i. Having successfully integrated these two platforms multiple times I can give you the best practices and techniques for 2 way communication and rich feedback from the results of the IBM i functions. If you have been manually updating Azure Devops with the results of your change management functions, here is your opportunity to make that automatic and potentially synchronize your life cycle between the from end and back end. Practical techniques from my experience will be shared.

Learning Objectives:

How to securely communicate between platforms How to integrate native IBM i functions with Azure triggers and process tools
Speakers
avatar for Jeffrey Tickner

Jeffrey Tickner

Consultant, ARCAD Software
Jeff Tickner has worked in Change Management on the IBM I for 27 years at different companies. He  has long experience with all kinds Source Control and Change Management packages from SourceSafe to Subversion and of course, Git. Jeff currently works for ARCAD Software, an international... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 6
  Technologies Integrated with IBM i, DevOps, Programmer Tools, Security, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

3:45pm CDT

Git, Jenkins and Nexus walk into an IBM i...
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 2
Evaluation Survey
Ever wondered if you could use Jenkins with IBM i? Guess what, you can! Designing IBM i centric pipelines has never been so easy, thanks to the IBM i pipeline steps plugin. But what about your build artifacts? Seems like they should be hosted somewhere...into an artifact repository like Nexus, perhaps? Join this session to discover why it may be a good idea to build once, store the result of your builds and deploy it many times, to ensure deployment consistency and traceability. And all of this using state of the art open source tools!

Learning Objectives:

`- Discover how Jenkins can integrate with IBM i - Learn how to design IBM i centric pipelines using the Jenkins IBM i pipeline steps plugin - Use Sonatype Nexus to store Save Files and their metadatas - Use Jenkins to deploy the Save Files on multiple environments
Speakers
avatar for Sébastien Julliand

Sébastien Julliand

Tech Lead R&D, I AND ME - IT TRAINING
Hi, I'm Seb! I am the R&D Tech Lead for i and me - IT Training and Solutions GmbH and an active contributors to IBM i open source projects.

Let's talk about anything related to software development, on IBM i or not, it doesn't mater to me. RPGLE, Java, TypeScript...I love them all... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Galerie 2
  Technologies Integrated with IBM i, DevOps

5:00pm CDT

Panning for Performance Gold with Visual Explain
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Balcony L
Evaluation Survey
Analyzing your database environment can provide significant performance riches, provided you have the right tools for the job. Visual Explain fits the bill, but learning to understand Visual Explain diagrams can be overwhelming and difficult. This session provides an introductory look into how to read and analyze your Visual Explain diagrams to find SQL performance gold.

Learning Objectives:

`- Identify the various methods of collecting data to produce a Visual Explain diagram - Understand how to understand the flow of data through a Visual Explain diagram - Learn to perform basic query access plan analysis, including learning about various Visual Explain node types
Speakers
avatar for Ryan Moeller

Ryan Moeller

Software Engineer, IBM
Ryan Moeller is a software engineer working on Db2 for i, specifically on the SQL Query Engine (SQE) team. He joined the team in the Rochester, MN development lab in 2020. Ryan specializes in SQL, database development, and query performance analysis.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Balcony L
  Database

5:00pm CDT

Understanding Your Integration Options: A Practical Guide for IBM i Shops
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 4
Evaluation Survey
When you need to connect IBM i to other systems, you face overwhelming choices. APIs, web services, message queues, file transfers, EDI, database replication... the list goes on. How do you choose? This session cuts through the confusion with practical guidance. You'll learn the fundamental patterns behind all integration approaches, understand the tradeoffs between different options, and see when each approach makes sense. We'll cover what questions to ask vendors, what red flags to watch for, and what matters versus what's just marketing hype. You'll see real examples of successful integrations using different approaches and learn from failures too. We'll discuss security basics everyone should understand, performance considerations that actually matter, and how to plan for growth. Whether you're evaluating vendor solutions, building integrations yourself, or just trying to understand what your options are, you'll leave with practical knowledge to make better decisions.
Speakers
avatar for Dan Magid

Dan Magid

Eradani
Eradani extends modernization by transforming the people, tooling, and development languages used in IBM i businesses. Eradani "Connect" serves as a Enterprise Integration Hub for IBM i organizations, providing developers and operators exception volume, performance, and security when... Read More →
avatar for Aaron Magid

Aaron Magid

Chief Architect, Eradani
Aaron Magid, Chief Architect at Eradani, has over a decade of experience in software development and technology. He specializes in modernizing legacy systems like IBM i/AS400 using Python, Node.js, and Java. Aaron excels in bridging old and new technologies together for clients, helping... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 4
  General Programming

5:00pm CDT

Powering What’s Next: The Evolution of Power11 Scale‑Out Systems
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Balcony M-N
Evaluation Survey
The Power11 scale‑out family brings a new level of performance and efficiency to IBM i environments, and this session will walk through what makes the latest systems a major step forward. We’ll highlight key hardware enhancements, expanded capabilities, and the performance improvements that matter most for real IBM i workloads. Attendees will get an inside look at how Power11 SCO systems support modernization, resiliency, and future‑ready growth. Whether you're planning your next upgrade or just curious about what Power11 brings to the IBM i community, this session will give you a clear, practical overview of what’s new and why it matters.

Speakers
avatar for Todd Boyd

Todd Boyd

STSM, IBM Power Product Mgmt., IBM Corporation
avatar for Fiona Tang

Fiona Tang

Power Product Manager, IBM
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Balcony M-N
  Hardware

5:00pm CDT

Integrated File System Performance Strategies
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Studio 1-2
Evaluation Survey
Is your application or workload running slower than you’d like when accessing the integrated file system (IFS)? Do you want to learn how you can increase your performance without drastically overhauling everything? If so, then attend this session. In this session, we will discuss performance strategies like using user-defined file systems (UDFS) and auxiliary storage pools (ASPs), ways to reduce contention, and how to analyze file system performance. The latest updates to performance tools will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how UDFSs, ASPs, and spreading data across different storage units can help increase performance. 2. Understand extensions to some APIs that can help increase performance. 3. Understand and see demonstrations of performance analysis tools.
Speakers
avatar for Justin Nelson

Justin Nelson

Advisory Software Engineer, IBM
Justin Nelson is a software developer within IBM i development. He has worked on the IBM i since joining IBM in 2015. He is a member of the integrated file system & servers (IFS) team and specializes in the Network Client File System (QNTC), host servers, and Network Authentication... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Studio 1-2
  IFS

5:00pm CDT

How Refactoring Helps Bulletproof Your Application
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 5
Evaluation Survey
Do you (or does your manager) doubt the value of refactoring your code into a modular design? This session goes in-depth about how you save time and create higher quality programs by refactoring into small, independent routines. We will discuss how this improves your ability to test and maintain your application over time, saving you tons of time in the long run. This session is co-presented by expert developer, Scott Klement, and expert tester, Yvonne Enselman to help you see it from both perspectives.

Learning Objectives:

1. How refactoring into a modular design saves you time in maintenance. 2. How refactoring into a modular designed simplifies and expedites the testing process.
Speakers
avatar for Yvonne Enselman

Yvonne Enselman

Owner, Yvonne Enselman Professional Services
avatar for Scott Klement

Scott Klement

Managing Partner, ORC LLC
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 5
  Program Testing, Program Testing, Programming: RPG

5:00pm CDT

How can I recognize a good AI analysis / transformation tool, determine whether it is suitable for my situation, and what should I pay attention to?
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Studio 3-4
Evaluation Survey
More and more companies get into trouble with their old applications and this is not only on IBM i. The reasons are different but at the end they all have the same challenges: They need to get out of that. One way of doing that is using Tools to analyze the old stuff. That is something we all do for decades now but the tools changes or continue to evolve. Right now there are many "Tools" out there and they all claim to use AI and many of them are based purely on AI. All of them promise you, that they will solve all your problems. My team and I have spent a lot of time and energy over the last two years looking at many of these tools (and those that claim to be such) and have done a lot of experimenting and developing in this area ourselves. Many of these tools deliver very questionable results, which sometimes fit perfectly and sometimes don't fit at all. However, our customers and we need to be able to trust the results of such a tool. Is it true or false? Not sometimes yes and sometimes no... In addition, many of these tools incur enormous additional costs, especially if they rely on cloud-based AI models, where you can never be sure what will happen to your company data. I can show you a working solution that is used in production for many months and can use pure local AI Models combined with "self made" development to create results we can trust.

Learning Objectives:

See why it is important to take a close look at how such tools work, understand them, and be able to compare them, as the results and costs of the various tools vary enormously. You need to be able to recognize the advantages and disadvantages of the various tools and decide which one is best suited to your situation and your company. This is not only a question of security, compliance, and valid results, but also of TCO. I will show you examples of some of the above points live so that you can see exactly what I mean. See how you can analyze your old and very old code with the help of a tool that not only uses AI, but only where it makes sense. And it works now—not sometime in the future.
Speakers
avatar for Markus Litters

Markus Litters

CEO, i and me - IT Training and Solutions GmbH
I start working with IBM POWER Servers and IBM i since I was 19 back in 1990 when it was called IBM AS/400 and from the beginning I was focused on Integrating the System with everything else (first of all DOS PC's, then Windows PC's and HP Unix and so on) and to modernize the existing... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Studio 3-4
  Programmer Tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI), IT Strategy, Program Testing, Programmer Tools, Programming: Frameworks, Programming: General, Programming: RPG, Programming: UI, Security, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

5:00pm CDT

Python Tips in 20 Minutes on IBM i
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Studio 7-8
Evaluation Survey
Python on IBM i has been around for a while now. In this session we explore many of the various tips I’ve run across over the last few years. These tips apply to both Python and/or the IBM i environment running the Python scripts. Tips include best practices, IFS features, pathing and MUCH more.

Learning Objectives:

1) Little bit of everything to help the Python developer 2) Standards based code development and linting. 3) Features that improve Python performance
Speakers
avatar for Mike Pavlak

Mike Pavlak

Solution Architect, Programmers.io
Mike Pavlak has been working with IBM midrange solutions since 1992 and IBM Mainframes before that. After years of developing applications using RPG, CL and PHP he managed IT development and IT for power protection manufacturer Tripp Lite. Later Mike was instrumental in developing... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Studio 7-8
  Python

5:00pm CDT

Supercharging SQL in RPG
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 6
Evaluation Survey
SQL has become an essential tool in the modern RPG developer's toolkit—but are you getting the most out of it? Join Simon as he shares practical, real-world examples to help you supercharge your SQL within RPG programs and procedures. You'll learn how to optimize performance, quickly diagnose feedback from Db2, and leverage Views for even greater efficiency. Simon will also cover high-performance SQL I/O techniques for faster data retrieval and smarter error-handling strategies, so you'll know exactly what happened with your SQL statements—and how to fix it.
Speakers
avatar for Simon Hutchinson

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 →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 6
  RPG, Database

5:00pm CDT

IBM i Security with an SQL Chaser, Next Round!
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 3
Evaluation Survey
In this award-winning session, be prepared to hear Scott Forstie and Carol Woodbury shake up the world of IBM i Security, mixing up new SQL features that allow you to completely do away with the old way you've been investigating and managing your IBM i Security environment. They will also shake up your mind with thoughts of finding vulnerabilities in your code and debate various methods of resolving the issues. Come prepared to have your IBM i Security world a bit shaken.

Learning Objectives:

Understand how SQL can be used to help you secure IBM i Learn why staying current is important Have the knowledge to use the Run SQL Scripts file provided with the session in your workplace
Speakers
avatar for Scott Forstie

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 →
avatar for Carol Woodbury

Carol Woodbury

IBM i Security SME and Senior Advisor, Kisco
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 3
  Security, Database

5:00pm CDT

Business Posture:  Leveraging the benefits of IBM i in the Cloud
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 1
Evaluation Survey

Join us on a transformative journey as we explore secure, scalable and resilient Cloud solutions purpose-built for the IBM i.   How can you unlock the modern capabilities of IBM Power Systems without introducing the complexity and risk while driving positive business outcomes?  How will POWERVS solve this.  Public, Private, Multi-Cloud -  What cloud is right for you?
 
  • Resiliency Solutions Delivering Uptime Results
  • Hybrid Cloud Architecture: Enhancing resiliency, security, and compliance
  • Three reasons Why Cloud Computing is Important for Businesses
               Bonus - 1 BIG reason you may have never considered.

Speakers
avatar for Richard Dolewski

Richard Dolewski

VP, Hybrid Enterprise Solutions, Lightedge
avatar for Josh Patterson

Josh Patterson

Sr. Solutions Architect, Lightedge
Josh is a Senior Solutions Architect and IBM Champion at Lightedge, focused on modernizing enterprise cloud solutions for IBM Power platforms.  Subject matter expertise in designing resilient, cost-effective hybrid-cloud strategies and high-availability architectures that align technology... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 1
  Systems Management

5:00pm CDT

HMC, IBM i, FSP, BMC, and Firmware: Putting all the pieces together.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Balcony K
Evaluation Survey
Join us for a session where we will explore the new components and concepts related to partitioning IBM Power Systems. You will learn how these components are interconnected, how to set them up, and how to manage and upgrade them. We will cover components such as the Hardware Management Console (HMC), the Flexible Service Processor (FSP) or eBMC depending on your processor generation, and the Advanced Systems Management Interface (ASMI). Additionally, we'll discuss firmware in your machine and how to perform necessary updates in both LPAR environment and standalone machines. You'll also receive tips on upgrading and establishing communication between the HMC and FSP/eBMC, as well as insights into the role of ASMI. By the end of the session, you will have current knowledge about these crucial hardware features of IBM Power Systems & IBM i.

Learning Objectives:

1) Understand how to upgrade and update your HMC. 2) Understand how to upgrade your FSP or eBMC. 3) Learn how everything connects and interacts.
Speakers
avatar for Pete Massiello

Pete Massiello

IBM i Advisor, Massiello Holding Corp.
Pete Massiello has been working with the AS/400, iSeries, IBM i since 1989, focusing on systems management and technical support. He has held numerous technical positions through out his career. He is the President of iTech Solutions Group, an IBM Premier Business Partner delivering... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Balcony K
  Systems Management, Systems Management

5:00pm CDT

Manage your system and security with Navigator
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Balcony I-J
Evaluation Survey
Learn about the latest updates and tools to manage your IBM i. IBM Navigator for i is the strategic tool for managing the IBM i operating system. In this session we will demo using some great Navigator wizards, how to configure TLS for the many servers on the IBM i. Learn how to deal with user profiles across multiple systems, we will even do a quick demo on how to configure MFA. Plus your questions.

Learning Objectives:

Learn best practices for managing and securing the IBM i
Speakers
avatar for Tim Rowe

Tim Rowe

STSM - IBM i Business Architect, IBM USA
Tim Rowe is a Senior Technical Staff Member within IBM i development and spends most of his time working as the Architect for Application Development and Systems Management. He has been working on the IBM i operating system since 1989. Tim is a frequent author, industry speaker and... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Balcony I-J
  Systems Management, Security, Systems Management

5:00pm CDT

Legacy to Legendary: Unlocking AI in IBM i Workflows with N8N
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Studio 9-10
Evaluation Survey
Discover how n8n can revolutionize the world of IBM i RPG programming by seamlessly bridging your trusted legacy logic with the most powerful AI and automation tools available today—all while keeping your data and business rules secure, under your control, and perfectly integrated with your existing systems. Imagine transforming your RPG workflows overnight: automate reporting, streamline compliance, and connect with everything from Slack and Google Workspace to advanced AI agents—without migrating your core business or writing mountains of new code. This session will show how you can harness AI-powered automation to streamline business processes, save time on manual work, and support smarter decision-making across a range of scenarios. You’ll see how flexible tools like n8n enable organizations to boost productivity, reduce errors, and adapt workflows to real business needs—demonstrating the practical value of connecting your core systems to the next generation of AI solutions. n8n is a powerful free and source-available workflow automation platform that helps you seamlessly connect different apps, APIs, and business services, automating repetitive tasks and data flows—all in a visual, drag-and-drop editor that both non-technical teams and developers can use. Much like Zapier, n8n lets you create custom automations triggered by events (such as new emails, form submissions, or database updates), but stands out by offering far greater flexibility, developer-friendly features (like scripting and custom code), and the option to self-host for total data privacy and control. With hundreds of integrations, n8n brings enterprise-grade automation and AI power to any business environment, from simple notifications to complex, multi-step processes—all without requiring you to lock into a single vendor’s system.

Learning Objectives:

Show how RPG logic and DB2 data can be easily connected to modern business applications using n8n’s broad integration capabilities Explore opportunities to streamline operations by integrating IBM i with collaboration tools like Google Workspace or any application with an API through n8n. Discuss how AI features of n8n can enhance business processes with smarter automation. Explain how n8n can be self-hosted to keep IBM i data secure and under organizational control. Introduce n8n as a flexible, open automation platform and compare its value to tools like Zapier and Make.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Lyons

Michelle Lyons

COO, imPower Technologies


avatar for Patrick Behr

Patrick Behr

Senior Consultant & Instructor, Seiden Group & imPower Technologies
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Studio 9-10
  Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Programmer Tools

5:00pm CDT

Let's Learn Linux!
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 2
Evaluation Survey
Linux, AIX, UNIX - we hear about them everywhere these days. But what does it all mean? Linux skills are important to everyone working in the technology field. The days of running everything on just one platform are behind us, so it's important to be familiar with Linux. But you probably don't have a spare Linux server sitting around, just waiting for you tinker with, right? Well, you don't need one! Can you replace Windows with Linux? Even if you can, should you? What are the advantages and disadvantages? How do you get, install, and use Linux? Is it really all free? What can you do with a Linux command line, and is it really as powerful as you've heard? Attend this session to learn the answers to these questions and much more. See step by step instructions for safely installing Linux on your PC while still running Windows or Mac OS! We'll cover a number of powerful commands that can be executed from a Linux environment on your PC, within Windows, your x86 servers, or even on your IBM i!

Learning Objectives:

`- Identify the best way to get started with a Linux environment - Install and set up Linux on their personal PC in a safe way - Use a Linux desktop for productivity and learning - Apply skills learned to a production server environment - Take full advantage of the power of the Linux command line in multiple environments, even on your IBM i!
Speakers
avatar for Steven Wolk

Steven Wolk

CTO, PC Richard & Son
Steven Wolk is the CTO for PC Richard & Son. Founded in 1909, PC Richard is a family owned and operated chain of over 65 appliance, electronics, and mattress superstores located throughout NY, NJ, CT, and PA. Steve's deep background in retail began on the sales floor while in college... Read More →
Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Galerie 2
  Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Programmer Tools, Systems Management, Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Virtualization

6:00pm CDT

Trivia Night
Wednesday April 29, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Mardi Gras Ballroom
Staying in for the free night on Wednesday? Join usfor trivia! Gather a team and put your collectiveknowledge to the test as you compete forthe top spot.And don’t worry - we promise it’s not a quiz on yoursession notes.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Mardi Gras Ballroom
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