COMMON POWERUp 2026

The IBM i restricted state (DSP01) Console environment is an oft neglected part of System Administration/Management. Many things allow systems to run months or even years without needing to connect this system Console. Then, when it is absolutely necessary to have this level of access for a system upgrade, hardware replacement, etc and the environment isn't correctly configured or is completely unknown significant delays are likely increasing a system outage. In this session we will go over the configuration and usage best practices for both the HMC and LAN Console environments.

Learning Objectives:

`- Understanding HMC based Console environment and best practice approaches - Understanding non-HMC managed System LAN Console environment and best practice approaches

This is an introduction to the React front-end framework. We will set up a development environment and incrementally build an application as we learn about React hooks.

Learning Objectives:

1. How to get started with React 2. How to create web pages with React 3. Manage state with React hooks 4. Serve your React app from IBM i

IBM Navigator for i is the modern, web-based interface for accessing, managing, and monitoring your IBM i system. This session will guide you through getting started with Navigator and demonstrate how it can be used to manage everything from individual user profiles to system-wide administration. We’ll focus on key administrative features that support large-scale rollouts, including how to configure TLS for secure connections—a critical step for IBM i 7.6—and how to control user access to specific areas of the interface to maintain security and compliance.

Learning Objectives:

`- Learn how to set up and configure IBM Navigator for i for individual and company-wide use - Understand how to implement TLS and manage user access within Navigator for i

Worried about what artificial intelligence means for your job or your future? You’re not alone. As AI becomes capable of writing, coding, analyzing, and creating, it’s easy to wonder - what’s left for us humans? Join this session to learn exactly where your human edge lies - and how to use it to thrive in the AI era. You’ll discover how timeless human skills like creativity, empathy, communication, and judgment are not only irreplaceable, but also essential to getting the best results from AI - transforming it from a threat to an incredibly powerful ally!

Learning Objectives:

Through humor, relatable stories, and real-world examples, Steve will show you how to: - Apply human strengths to communicate better with people and AI - Collaborate effectively when your “teammates” include intelligent technology - Negotiate and resolve conflict with confidence and empathy using AI as your personal coach - Build stronger relationships with people – and yes, with your AI assistants! - Market yourself and your value in the age of automation - Stay adaptable, confident, and indispensable as work continues to evolve - Turn your human edge into your ultimate advantage!

If you’re struggling to find skilled IBM i developers or administrators, maybe the problem isn’t the talent pool - it’s where and how you’re looking. This session challenges the common misconception that it’s difficult to attract new talent to the IBM i platform. Drawing from real-world success stories, we’ll explore how hiring for intrinsic qualities - curiosity, problem-solving ability, determination, and passion for learning - can allow you to grow exceptional IBM i professionals from people with no prior experience on the platform. You don’t need people who already know IBM i - you need smart, driven people, with great communications skills, who love learning and never give up. We’ll discuss how building the community you want to hire from starts long before a job posting goes live: through mentoring, engaging with user groups, and giving back to the broader IBM i community. We’ll also cover the importance of providing modern tools and meaningful projects to keep your IBM i developers engaged and inspired - while leading your organization toward building truly modern IBM i applications. You’ll learn strategies for promoting change within your company so IBM i isn’t thought of as a legacy platform, but a legendary one - where innovation, reliability, and modern thinking come together to power your business into the future.

Learning Objectives:

`- How to rethink hiring on IBM i by focusing on potential and mindset, not experience. - Practical strategies to cultivate a pipeline of passionate IBM i talent through community engagement. - Proven methods for mentoring and retaining developers who become enthusiastic advocates for the platform. - Actionable approaches to modernize your tools, workflows, and development practices on IBM i. - How to lead organizational change that transforms IBM i from legacy perception to legendary reality.

Security is the hottest topic in today's society and yet many developers don't have it in the forefront of their minds. We will look at todays trend, risks and why you as a developer should develop with security in mind.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding security as a developer Bring awareness to some of the possible security bugs you can introduce into your code.