COMMON POWERUp 2026

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.

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

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.

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