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!

3:15pm CDT

You Next Power Server is just around the corner. For Storage, you have options!

Monday April 27, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT

Galerie 1

Evaluation Survey

Do you love you some internal storage? You know it, you’ve used it, and it’s served you well! But times they are a changin’! what do you know about external storage? What can it do that internal storage can’t do? Come and see us compare the current generation of internal storage to the current generation of external storage. We’ll compare relative costs, capacities, and compare which features are available on Internal and external storage. Come and learn your options from experts in the field who will help you come to a learned decision during your next upgrade.

Learning Objectives:

Compare internal and external storage Learn about encryption, replication, and protection

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 →

Richie Palma

Senior Solution Consultant, Service Express

A Tech Solutions Consultant for Service Express (Previously iTech Solutions Group), IBM Champion for Power, IBM Fresh Face, founder of the “Midrange Meetup” in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on the steering committee for YIP’s (Young i Professionals), and on the board for SEMIUG (South... Read More →

Monday April 27, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Galerie 1

Hardware, Hardware, Storage Technologies, Systems Management, Technologies Integrated with IBM i, Virtualization

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

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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

Todd Boyd

STSM, IBM Power Product Mgmt., IBM Corporation

Fiona Tang

Power Product Manager, IBM

Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Balcony M-N

Hardware