COMMON POWERUp 2026

Modernization isn't just about updating user interfaces or moving to the cloud. It's about creating a comprehensive, integrated development environment that brings IBM i into alignment with modern enterprise standards. It’s about future proofing your environment so that you are ready to handle any new technologies that arise. This session explores how leading organizations are building complete development workbenches that combine DevOps automation, API integration, AI-assisted development, and modern tooling into cohesive platforms. You'll see how these integrated approaches enable developers to work more efficiently, how they improve collaboration across teams, and how they allow IBM i systems to participate fully in enterprise architecture. We'll discuss the components of a modern development workbench, show real examples from organizations that have successfully implemented integrated approaches, and provide practical guidance for building your own modernization roadmap. Whether you're just starting your modernization journey or looking to connect existing initiatives, you'll leave understanding how to create development environments where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will understand how to create integrated development environments for IBM i modernization. They'll learn about key components of modern development workbenches, see examples of successful integrated approaches, and develop strategies for connecting DevOps, integration, AI, and tooling initiatives into cohesive platforms that maximize development productivity.

Generating code with AI is impressive, but it's only half the story. How do you build it? How do you deploy it? How do you manage dependencies when AI creates new components? This session explores the critical connection between AI code generation and DevOps automation for IBM i. You'll see how modern DevOps platforms can automatically identify dependencies in AI-generated code, determine build requirements, and manage deployments across environments. We'll demonstrate how non-IBM i developers can leverage AI to create RPG programs without understanding compilation processes or deployment procedures, because the DevOps infrastructure handles it automatically. You'll learn strategies for creating AI-assisted development/promotion pipelines, understand how to integrate AI-generated code into existing DevOps workflows, and see real examples of organizations using AI throughout their entire development lifecycle. This isn't just about writing code faster. It's about creating a complete, integrated development environment where AI and automation work together to make your team more productive.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will understand how to integrate AI code generation with DevOps automation for complete development workflows. They'll learn about dependency management for AI-generated code, automated build and deployment strategies, and approaches for creating AI-enhanced development pipelines that handle the entire application lifecycle.

Developing ILE code requires the developer to change their thought processes, gone are the large programs that do complicated processes. ILE requires the developer to think in small easily managed procedures. Reusable procedures, modules, and service programs. This session will not only explain “Why you need to change", it will have examples that are easy to understand, and you can start using immediately.

Learning Objectives:

Why use Model View Controller architecture Improve developers understanding of service programs Learn to write service programs that can easily be used as API's Learn why Service programs should be data centric rather than application centric Learn how correctly designed service programs will make your life easier

Tired of typing long CL commands or repeating the same operational tasks? IBM i gives you the power to create your own commands — complete with prompts, keywords, and integrated help — that look and behave just like IBM’s built-in ones. In this session, you’ll learn how to design and build your own custom CL commands (CMD objects) from start to finish. We’ll start with simple examples that wrap CL programs, then move to more advanced topics such as validation programs, command processing programs (CPPs), and creating user help text. Using practical demonstrations, Simon will show how custom commands can simplify operations, enforce standards, and make your IBM i environment more user-friendly. By the end of the session, you’ll be ready to design your own commands to automate your shop’s most common tasks — and make your coworkers think IBM shipped them that way.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, participants will be able to: - Understand the structure and components of IBM i command objects (CMDs). - Create custom commands that call CL or RPG programs. - Define command parameters and default values using keywords. - Use command processing programs (CPPs) and validity-check programs (VCPs).

One can only imagine just how many Excel sheets or other reports are generated on a daily basis. Are these reports portraying information in the best way possible? Is there anything we can do to help make this information more easily understood? Over the recent years, there has been quite the craze over data analytics and the importance of data that we should question our reporting standards. In this session we will cover the usage of Python and its readily available open source modules that can help us improve our reports.

Learning Objectives:

1. How to create a Python script and call it (with parameters) 2. Learn of Python modules that may be of interest 3. How to generate/alter/merge Excel reports 4. How to generate PDF's, images, and graphs

In this award-winning session, we’ll go beyond the basics of IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS) to uncover ways to make the tool work harder for you. After reviewing the core functionality, I’ll demonstrate some of the customizations I use every day to boost productivity and streamline my workflow. Whether you’re brand new to ACS or a seasoned user, you’ll walk away with practical tips, tricks, and user-driven ideas you can immediately put into practice.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the core functionality of IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS). Learn how to apply customizations within ACS to increase efficiency and productivity. Discover creative ways other users enhance ACS and identify techniques you can adapt for your own environment. Walk away with practical tips and tricks you can immediately implement in your daily workflow.