COMMON POWERUp 2026: Full Schedule

Unlock the Power of IBM i at POWERUp 2026!

Join us in New Orleans, Louisiana for POWERUp 2026, the premier conference for IBM i professionals. Whether you’re an experienced expert or just starting your IBM i journey, this event offers unparalleled education, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Stay ahead of the curve with insights from industry leaders, explore the latest innovations, and connect with a thriving community that shares your passion for IBM i. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge, grow your skills, and power up your career!

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8:00am CDT

Planning a Smooth Move of your IBM i to the Cloud

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT

Galerie 2

Evaluation Survey

Utilizing the cloud is can be a great option for IBM i customers. It sounds simple, and at it core it is! However, there are many items to consider for your organization to help determine if it's the right thing for you. There are, however, options on how to plan, execute, and validate the migration and these should be analyzed to find the best fit. In this session you'll gain a great overview of the reasons and the process for moving to a cloud.

Learning Objectives:

In this sessions you will learn: - Why to move your IBM i to the Cloud - What services are commonly offered by Cloud vendors - Items to consider for the Cloud migration - Connections options for the Cloud - Ways to move your data to the Cloud - Validating options the Cloud implementation

Speakers

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 →

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 2

Systems Management, Client Connectivity, IT Strategy, Networking, Systems Management

9:15am CDT

Creating a simple Warehouse Optimizing AI App with Python running on IBM i PASE

Thursday April 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Galerie 2

Evaluation Survey

While everybody is talking about AI and possible solutions, my Team and I are implementing such solutions at our (IBM i) customers. Beside using AI for Analyzing RPG and Cobol Code, optimizing existing (IBM i) ERP solutions and some other things, we are also realizing "good old" machine learning solutions for more than 7 years now - running on IBM i within the PASE environment. In this session you will find all you need to create an AI App running in the PASE environment on IBM I with an example of optimizing your Warehouse.

Learning Objectives:

You will learn what you need on IBM i to run an AI App for running a Python App that uses Machine Learning for optimizing a Warehouse. Includes a (quick) overview about Python, PASE, machine Learning and how to use it on IBM i.

Speakers

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 →

Thursday April 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Galerie 2

Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Database, Developing Business Skills, Programmer Tools, Programming: Frameworks, Programming: Python, Technologies Integrated with IBM i

10:45am CDT

The Human Side of Modernization: Growing Skills, Mentorship, and Operational Resilience

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

Galerie 2

Evaluation Survey

As experienced IBM i professionals retire, organizations face an urgent need to grow and retain critical expertise. This session explores strategies for mentorship, knowledge transfer, and modern skills development that keep essential systems running strong. Discover how investing in people ensures innovation, longevity, and resilience for the IBM i platform’s future.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify strategies to build and retain IBM i expertise within a multigenerational workforce. 2. Learn effective mentorship and knowledge-transfer techniques to strengthen operational continuity. 3. Explore ways to align modernization initiatives with workforce development and leadership growth.

Speakers

Raymond Hammell

Lightedge

Raymond Hammell brings a wealth of experience in Cloud, High Availability, and Disaster Recovery Solutions. His expertise lies in defining Cloud Solutions, rigorous DR and HA Plan testing, and architecting solutions for both Fortune 100 corporations and SMEs. As a certified Master... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Galerie 2

IT Leadership and Management, IT Leadership & Management

1:00pm CDT

VS Code and Code for IBM i Hidden Gems

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Galerie 2

Evaluation Survey

Thanks to the Code for IBM i open source extension, VS Code became an IDE of choice for whoever wants to do some development on IBM i. Less expansive (as in "free") and more modern than RDi, it's already a daily driver for IBM i professionals and enthusiasts alike. But what does it have to offer we barely know? What are the less-known features that can make a developer's life easier? The legend tells that it's even possible to work locally on IBM i source code synchronized with Git or to use Visual Explain right from VS Code. But the best is yet to come and see for yourself! Whether you are a seasoned developer or just curious, join me to discover or rediscover the hidden gems that VS Code has to offer. Don't be a stranger and bring your questions along!

Learning Objectives:

`- Learn new ways of using VS Code for developing on IBM i - Hear it from one of the top contributor of the Code for i project - Discover how to use VS Code more efficiently - Live tips & tricks

Speakers

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 →

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Galerie 2

Programmer Tools, Programmer Tools, Programming: General

Track Student

3:00pm CDT

Integrated File System Real Life Stories

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Galerie 2

Evaluation Survey

The integrated file system has become more embedded in everyday processing for many customers over the years, each with unique environments and specialized workloads. This session will discuss real life scenarios of file system usage and some common problems experienced by customers. Latest 7.6 updates to file system security will be included.

Learning Objectives:

Understand some of the common problems experienced with the file systems and solutions to those problems.

Speakers

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 →

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Galerie 2

IFS

4:15pm CDT

AI-based Code Understanding and Modernization

Thursday April 30, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm CDT

Galerie 2

Evaluation Survey

In this session we will look at the state of the art in both AI-driven application documentation and understanding, as well as AI-driven code modernization. We will help the audience understand how to get started and dispel many of the common myths around GenAI and explain why a more sophisticated Agentic AI approach is necessary.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about AI-driven application understanding. 2. Learn about the latest in AI-based code transformation. 3. Learn about how to get started in setting either of these up.

Speakers

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 →

Thursday April 30, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm CDT
Galerie 2

Technologies Integrated with IBM i

COMMON POWERUp 2026

8:00am CDT

Larry Bolhuis

9:15am CDT

Markus Litters

10:45am CDT

Raymond Hammell

1:00pm CDT

Sébastien Julliand

3:00pm CDT

Justin Nelson

4:15pm CDT

Chris Koppe

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