COMMON POWERUp 2026

This session is a welcome and introduction for students to help set expectations for POWERUp 2026. We will go over events not to miss, COMMON questions at conference, and provide ways to POWERUp your experience.

This topic will cover the point-of-view for AI with IBM Power. We will talk about the challenges that the industry is facing with AI, how this is relevant to Power customers and the portfolio that we are building to address these challenges.

Learning Objectives:

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IBM i Migrate While Active makes it easy to transition between systems and platforms with minimal service disruption, supporting seamless migrations to new hardware, private cloud environments, or public cloud infrastructure. In this session, you'll get a comprehensive overview of IBM's latest release of Migrate While Active. Discover how this solution enables near-zero downtime migrations, and explore real-world use cases and success stories.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the functionality of IBM i Migrate While Active, including how it enables near-zero downtime migrations across systems, platforms, and cloud environments. 2. Identify key prerequisites, planning steps, and best practices for executing a successful migration using Migrate While Active, whether moving to new hardware, private cloud, or public cloud. 3. Analyze real-world use cases and success stories to gain practical insights into how organizations have leveraged Migrate While Active to modernize their infrastructure while maintaining business continuity.

We have some customers that run a lot of different Linux Servers (unfortunately on x86 Hardware still...) and I heard there should be still some of them out there running Windows Servers for hosting different kind of layers like Database instances, Backend Programs, Web Server and so on.  Most of them do, what they used to do. They use a different VM or Docker Container for each of these layers. In many scenarios these VM's or Containers are not heavy loaded but need to be administered and therefore they cost money.  Unfortunately the most of them don't know that they could move these workloads easily to IBM i on IBM POWER and get some advantages like: - reduce the amount of Servers to administrate and therefore normally the amount of administrators and save not only Hardware cost - Backup and HA Processes can be used of IBM i - run everything in one environment that is one of the most stable in the world - run everything in one environment that is one of the most scalable in the world - run everything in one environment that is one of the most secure in the world - get ideas what you can do when combining old and new technology stacks on one server like combining (old) RPG Programs with (new) REDIS Databases - etc. ...  Thanks to the Implementation of the PASE environment and the ongoing support for more and more Open Source solutions and frameworks we can run a lot of things inside IBM i that were not possible 10 years ago.  Some examples are Node.js, Python but also Databases like Postgre SQL or MariaDB, as well as Web Servers like Nginx and many more. On the other hand many "non IBM i" Developers and Administrators don't know about the possibilities of the i Operating System itself with it's great DB2 for i Database that is integrated into the OS.

Learning Objectives:
Get a quick overview about PASE within IBM i and the history of Open Source on IBM i.  Learn what you can do and how you can do the steps to move your workload into IBM i. Learn where it make sense to put Data into DB2 for i although your software is running on other platforms with other frameworks and how you can solve that easily for everybody for example with a Database Access Layer that is all created in RPG or Node.js or Java or .... Why this is maybe more secure for your data and the best place to save it and which data is better stored somewhere else.  Get a quick overview about accessing DB2 for i as well as other databases in different ways, like using ODBC, ADO.NET, Mapepire, REST APIs (in different flavors) and so on.  See how you can boost performance of your (old or new) applications by using an In Memory Database like REDIS.  Learn and talk about where all this makes sense and where not.  This is not a golden bullet which solves all your problems but it can reduce a lot of them - depending on your Environment and your Use cases.

In this new session you'll discover 20 features of Db2 for i that are typically less known or under used. Your presenter is the Db2 for i Architect and he's lead the Db2 for i development team for decades. Invest 20 minutes to raise for your Db2 for i and SQL capabilities!

Learning Objectives:

1) Discover features, tools, or capabilities within Db2 for i 2) Improve how you leverage or use Db2 for i and SQL on i 3) Extend your Db2 for i knowledge

Db2 for i provides useful tools and examples in the SYSTOOLS schema. Come to this session to learn what shiny gems lie within this unopened treasure chest. You need not be an SQL programmer to gain tremendous value from SQL tools! https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.6?topic=optimization-systools

Learning Objectives:

1) Understand what SYSTOOLS-based tools exist 2) Learn the basics of how to use these tools 3) Hear what others are already doing with these amazing tools 4) Interact with the IBM architect responsible for SYSTOOLS

Stop coding like it's 1985. Your legacy RPG habits are a financial drain and a massive headache for the next generation of developers. Kill the Clutter! Permanently eliminate fixed-format and arcane shorthand. This session is your urgent intervention.

Learning Objectives:

• Master Fully Free-Format RPG to write code that looks and behaves like a modern language. • Name Names: Adopt Descriptive Naming standards that remove all ambiguity. If you can't read it quickly, it's garbage. • Build Defenses: Don’t rely on the *PSSR subroutine. Implement Rock-Solid Error Handling using MONITOR/ON-ERROR to manage failure, log results, and stop programs from crashing like amateurs. • Enforce the Rules: Understand and apply consistent layout, indentation, and ILE modularization to create code that is instantly scannable and maintainable—or you'll be fixing it at 2 AM. This isn't about nice-to-haves; it's about reducing catastrophic failures and cutting your maintenance costs. You will leave this session knowing how to write RPG that future-proofs your career and the system.

According to Fortra Survey 2026, IBM i Skills & Modernizing Applications figure in “Top 3” concerns of IBM i shops. In this session, we explore a framework to help customers modernize their core IBM i applications in-place leveraging their existing IBM i infrastructure & engineers. 
Start with an IBM i monolithic application written in fixed RPG with display files for menus and Db2 as the datastore. Explore how to transform it into a modern & future-ready IBM i application with techniques such as Code Transformation, AI-powered Unit Test generation, DevOps Integration, UX & UI Modernization and Integration with modern applications.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the challenges associated with IBM i monolithic applications while appreciating the robustness and decades of proven performance of the IBM i platform itself. Explore techniques to modernize the applications in-place on the IBM i platform.

You have a disaster recovery plan? Are you really prepared? We are now in the Cloud ! How does this affect my DR Plan going forward ? The difference in surviving depends on how well you prepare for the unexpected. This session breaks down the components of disaster recovery planning as it relates to the availability and recovery of your systems. Testing is essential to examining critical points of failure, assumptions, and technical gaps.

Learning Objectives:

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of your current disaster recovery plan in hybrid and cloud environments. 2. Identify critical dependencies, assumptions, and failure points in IBM i DR testing. 3. Develop a repeatable annual DR validation process to ensure readiness and business continuity.

Db2 Mirror for IBMi enables continuous availability for your mission-critical applications. Learn how Db2 Mirror synchronously mirrors database updates between two separate nodes in an active-active or active-passive (with read access on the secondary) mode. Presenting 2 case studies deigned to deliver near zero downtime and optimal application availability to their business.

Learning Objectives:

Learning objectives: 1. IBM Lab DB2 Assessment 2. Building a proven reference architecture with Testing and Operations 3. Understand new features available for DB2 Mirror

In this session, Power Processor Chief Architect, William Starke, will discuss Power11's AI-focused hardware capabilities.

Learn how to create and work with System Monitors in IBM Navigator for i. Also learn how to use the Performance Data Investigator (PDI) visualization tool to view System Monitor data.

Learning Objectives:
1. How to create a System Monitor
2. How to view system monitor data

Since its introduction 30 years ago, JavaScript has fast become the most prominent programming language on the Internet. You would be hard-pressed to find a single page on the web today that does not employ some amount of JavaScript code. Learning JavaScript, along with basic HTML and CSS concepts, should thus be at the top of the to-do list for every RPG developer looking to get started with serious web development. This session serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of the JavaScript language, drawing comparisons to coding concepts that should be familiar to all RPG programmers. No prior experience with web development is assumed. Topics to be covered include basic variable declaration, comparison & assignment operators, conditional statements, arrays, loops and functions -- all of which will be directly compared to their RPG equivalents. The instructor will demonstrate how you can practice these basic JavaScript concepts on your own using console tools inside the Google Chrome browser, and provide suggestions for further study of the language.

Learning Objectives:

• Know how to code and test blocks of JavaScript inside their own browser (specifically, we'll look at the DevTools inside Google Chrome) • Understand the differences and similarities between JavaScript and RPG • Know where to go for further study of the language and what to focus on learning first

Node.js empowers IBM i developers to build modern web services and APIs, leveraging a vast ecosystem of ready-to-use packages via npm (Node Package Manager). This session introduces Node.js through an RPG perspective, demonstrating a simple web service that queries a physical file on IBM i using the idb-connector module and serves JSON data to a browser. The instructor will showcase Node.js basics, compare them to RPG concepts like subprocedures and file operations, and deploy the service on IBM i. No prior Node.js experience is required, but it would be helpful to have a basic understanding of JavaScript (as covered in the preceding JavaScript 101 session). Topics for this session will include Node.js setup, modules, asynchronous programming, Express.js for web services, the benefits of npm’s extensive package repository, and deployment steps. Attendees will receive a handout with code, setup instructions, and resources for further study.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand Node.js, its relevance for RPG developers, and the power of npm’s vast library of packages for rapid development. • Learn how to use idb-connector to access IBM i database tables and serve data via a web service. • Gain insights into Node.js setup, coding, and deployment on IBM i, with resources for continued learning.

AI and DevSecOps is a rapidly evolving area of functionality where there is overlap between the open systems world and the IBM i. In this session I will look at tools we can use right now to help us progress on our DevSecOps journey and also areas where the AI knowledge lags behind. I will show actual examples that will speed up your adoption of DevSecOps and enhance you use of these tools to streamline your Application Lifecycle management workflow, from the developer to deployment and everything in-between!

Learning Objectives:

Learn what AI tools can be successful be applied to IBM i specific requirements and what tools aren't quite ready yet.

The definition of "DevOps" has changed tremendously over the last few years; no longer is it simple Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), but rather an interwoven process that begins with the typical Compile/Debug/Edit cycle, but that now also leverages Artificial Intelligence; Testing and Security steps that many supposed DevOps adopters are ignoring; and then and only then does it move to traditional CI/CD.

Learning Objectives:

Understand what terms like "DevOps" and "DevSecOps" really mean. Learn how to leverage new AI tools like GitHub Copilot as part of the development process. Reinforce how important Testing and Security are to DevSecOps.

Discover how n8n can revolutionize the world of IBM i RPG programming by seamlessly bridging your trusted legacy logic with the most powerful AI and automation tools available today—all while keeping your data and business rules secure, under your control, and perfectly integrated with your existing systems. Imagine transforming your RPG workflows overnight: automate reporting, streamline compliance, and connect with everything from Slack and Google Workspace to advanced AI agents—without migrating your core business or writing mountains of new code. This session will show how you can harness AI-powered automation to streamline business processes, save time on manual work, and support smarter decision-making across a range of scenarios. You’ll see how flexible tools like n8n enable organizations to boost productivity, reduce errors, and adapt workflows to real business needs—demonstrating the practical value of connecting your core systems to the next generation of AI solutions. n8n is a powerful free and source-available workflow automation platform that helps you seamlessly connect different apps, APIs, and business services, automating repetitive tasks and data flows—all in a visual, drag-and-drop editor that both non-technical teams and developers can use. Much like Zapier, n8n lets you create custom automations triggered by events (such as new emails, form submissions, or database updates), but stands out by offering far greater flexibility, developer-friendly features (like scripting and custom code), and the option to self-host for total data privacy and control. With hundreds of integrations, n8n brings enterprise-grade automation and AI power to any business environment, from simple notifications to complex, multi-step processes—all without requiring you to lock into a single vendor’s system.

Learning Objectives:

Show how RPG logic and DB2 data can be easily connected to modern business applications using n8n’s broad integration capabilities Explore opportunities to streamline operations by integrating IBM i with collaboration tools like Google Workspace or any application with an API through n8n. Discuss how AI features of n8n can enhance business processes with smarter automation. Explain how n8n can be self-hosted to keep IBM i data secure and under organizational control. Introduce n8n as a flexible, open automation platform and compare its value to tools like Zapier and Make.

Ok, time to roll up your sleeves! Let's talk about how to build real quantum-capable programs! In this session we will explore qiskit, IBM's open source programming framework. Plus, we will show you how qiskit-based programs can interact with IBM i.

Learning Objectives:

Understand qiskit Understand IBM i integration from Python

The role of a system administrator spans far and wide on IBM i, and getting an understanding of what's happening on your systems can be difficult without the right tools in place. Many system management tasks can be made easier and faster with today's modern set of SQL services available on IBM i. In this presentation you will learn how to use SQL to manage your system more effectively, including topics related to PTF currency, storage (and temporary storage) consumption, high resource usage and runaway jobs, security, and much more.

Learning Objectives:

`- Learn how to use SQL to automate system management tasks, including the building of automated reports - Learn how SQL makes retrieving, filtering, and grouping data a breeze - Become familiar with existing Db2 for i educational resources to learn how to create and use your own SQL tools, and to stay up to date with existing tools

The Internet of Things (IoT), while well-established, continues to be an important part of today's technology solutions. But how does an IoT device actually work? How can it tie into IBM i? In this session, we will walk you through the whole makeup of an IoT device, from the circuits to the software and integration.

Learning Objectives:

Understand how IoT devices work and how to integrate them

Modernization extends the power of IBM i by integrating core applications with APIs, web interfaces, and cloud-native services. Transforming proven systems into agile, scalable platforms helps organizations improve performance, reduce risk, and accelerate digital innovation. Learn how strategic modernization roadmaps turn legacy investments into legendary business outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand modernization pathways that integrate IBM i applications with APIs, web, and cloud services. 2. Learn how to plan modernization projects that balance innovation with business continuity. 3. Gain insight into real-world modernization frameworks that reduce risk and maximize return on legacy investment.

Encryption is your last line of defense against data breaches but implementing it effectively on IBM i requires the right knowledge and strategy. In this session, we’ll go beyond the “why” and dive into the “how.” We’ll cover what is sensitive data and what data you should be encrypting. We’ll cover the technical methods for encrypting sensitive data on IBM i, from disk level encryption to integrated encryption solutions. We’ll also explore key management, performance trade-offs, compliance considerations, and practical scenarios where one approach might be more effective than another. Attendees will walk away with actionable knowledge to evaluate encryption methods and sustainable encryption strategy for their IBM i environment.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding of the available encryption methods on IBM i How to evaluate your encryption requirements Actionable list of next steps to start your encryption implementation

Accessing business logic from Open Source application and off platform has evolved a great deal over the years. In this session we’ll look at some of the reasons for centralizing this business logic in the database via Db2 Stored procedures. We’ll look at RPG and SQL procedures and work through examples of how these are used from exhibit languages like PHP and Python.

Learning Objectives:

1) Learn how to create and execute stored procedures in SQL and HLL (RPG). 2) See examples of how to use Db2 Stored Procedures in OSS languages. 3) Review tips and best practices when working with Db2 Stored Procedures.