IBM i Insight – June 2026

Modernising IBM i Without Rewriting What Already Works

For many organisations running IBM i, modernisation remains an important topic. However, when the word “modernisation” is mentioned, it can often bring concerns around cost, complexity, risk, and disruption.

One of the most common misconceptions is that modernising IBM i applications requires a complete rewrite or replacement of existing systems.

In reality, that is rarely the path organisations choose.

Instead, many are looking for practical ways to improve the user experience while continuing to benefit from the stability, reliability, and business logic that their IBM i applications have delivered for years.

The Challenge

IBM i systems continue to power critical business operations across manufacturing, distribution, logistics, retail, finance, and many other industries.

The applications themselves often work exceptionally well.

The challenge is typically not the underlying functionality.

Instead, organisations are increasingly focused on:

• Improving usability for existing users
• Reducing training requirements for new employees
• Supporting remote and browser-based access
• Making applications more intuitive to navigate
• Meeting modern user expectations

As experienced IBM i professionals retire and newer generations enter the workforce, user experience is becoming an increasingly important consideration.

Many businesses are asking:

How can we make our applications easier to use without introducing unnecessary risk?

Why Modernisation Projects Sometimes Stall

When organisations begin exploring modernisation, several concerns commonly arise:

Risk

Business-critical applications cannot afford extended downtime or disruption.

Cost

Large-scale transformation projects can be difficult to justify when existing systems continue to perform reliably.

Resources

Internal teams are often balancing day-to-day responsibilities alongside strategic initiatives.

Uncertainty

Many organisations simply aren’t sure where to begin.

These concerns are entirely valid.

The good news is that modernisation does not have to be an all-or-nothing exercise.

A Practical Approach

The most successful IBM i modernisation projects we see are often the most pragmatic.

Rather than replacing applications or rewriting decades of proven business logic, organisations are focusing on incremental improvements that deliver immediate value.

Examples include:

• Modernising key user interfaces
• Improving navigation
• Introducing browser-based access
• Enhancing user experience
• Reducing reliance on complex menu structures

These smaller projects can provide measurable benefits while minimising risk and disruption.

More importantly, they allow organisations to modernise at a pace that suits both the business and IT teams.

Spotlight Technology: Genie

One solution helping organisations achieve this is Genie.

Genie is a browser-based 5250 modernisation solution that enables existing IBM i applications to be accessed through a modern web interface.

Rather than replacing RPG applications, Genie works alongside existing systems, preserving the business logic and processes that organisations already rely upon.

Key benefits include:

• Browser-based access to existing applications
• Modern navigation and user experience
• Role-based menus and security
• Dynamic components and enhanced interfaces
• Minimal manual development effort

For many organisations, this provides a practical first step on their modernisation journey.

Watch the Video

We’ve put together a short overview video demonstrating how Genie can help organisations modernise existing IBM i applications while continuing to leverage their existing investment.

🎥 Watch the Genie overview here:

https://youtu.be/hs1DQlUM2pY?si=GC-y53oF2ooHiypE

What We’re Seeing Across the IBM i Community

One trend we continue to observe is that organisations are becoming increasingly focused on evolution rather than replacement.

The conversations are no longer centred around:

“Should we modernise?”

Instead, they are focused on:

“How can we modernise safely and practically?”

The organisations making the greatest progress are often those taking measured, incremental steps that improve usability, accessibility, and integration without disrupting core business operations.

Key Takeaways

• Modernisation does not have to mean replacement.
• Existing RPG applications can continue to deliver significant value.
• User experience is becoming increasingly important.
• Browser-based access can provide a practical route to modernisation.
• Small, low-risk projects often create the momentum for larger initiatives.

We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts

What is currently the biggest focus area within your IBM i environment?

• Modernisation
• Integration
• APIs
• AI
• User experience
• Skills and succession planning
• Something else entirely

At Logicmate, we’re always interested in hearing how organisations are approaching these challenges and sharing practical insights from across the IBM i community.

If you’d like to discuss your roadmap, explore ideas, or simply exchange experiences, we’d be delighted to hear from you.