Modernizing IBM i Development: A Guide to DevOps Transformation

IBM i DevOps modernization is becoming increasingly critical for organizations, yet one question keeps surfacing in my conversations with IT leaders: “Why should we change our IBM i change management system when what we have works?” It’s a fair question. After all, your current system has served you well for years, managing code changes reliably, even if not particularly elegantly.

Here is a story that might resonate. Last month, I met with the CIO of a large manufacturing company who initially had the same question. Their IBM i applications were running smoothly, but they faced increasing pressure from several directions: 

• Recruiting difficulty as young developers did not want to use legacy tools
• Corporate mandates to standardize development practices 
• Auditors requiring better tracking and compliance 
• Business demands for faster application updates 

The Real Cost of Status Quo 

Before we dive into the benefits of modern change management, let’s consider the hidden costs of maintaining legacy systems: 

1. Enterprise Change Management: Too often the IBM i application changes are isolated from changes made on other platforms. Users lack a comprehensive view of all changes made across the application ecosystem. Auditors must learn a unique process for examining IBM i changes. Managers are required to navigate multiple systems to approve changes. Synchronizing promotions through the application lifecycle can be complex.
2. Talent Acquisition and Retention: New developers expect modern tools. One IT director told me recently, “We lost two promising candidates when they saw our development environment. They wouldn’t even consider the position.” 
3. Development Velocity: Many IBM i shops still limit concurrent development, forcing developers to work sequentially. In active environments, engineers must wait for others to complete their changes before starting new work. This creates costly delays and frustrated development teams in today’s fast-paced business environment.
4. Change Visibility: IBM i developers often lack tools to easily research who made changes, when they made them, which projects required the changes, etc.
5. Risk Management/Audit Compliance: Legacy systems often lack:
   1. Comprehensive, easy-to-view audit trails 
   2. Automated testing integration 
   3. Modern security controls 
   4. Disaster recovery capabilities

The Business Case for Moving to Modern Change Management/DevOps 

Moving to modern change management, particularly Git-based solutions, delivers tangible benefits: 

1. Coordinated Enterprise Development
   1. Synchronize IBM i development with non-IBM i development
   2. Promote IBM i and non-IBM i code changes together
   3. See all change activity across all platforms in one place
2. Optimized Recruiting
   1. Provide developers with the latest in development tools
   2. Onboard quickly with familiar tools
3. Accelerated Development 
   1. Automatic change tracking (no need to manually document changes in the code)
   2. Concurrent development capabilities 
   3. Automated testing and deployment 
   4. Faster issue resolution 
4. Improved Code Quality 
   1. Automated testing
   2. Structured testing and approval process
   3. Better error research tools
5. Simplified Audits
   1. Auditors need not learn different reporting tools for the IBM i
   2. See change history based on any criteria with just a click of a button
   3. Enforce move-to-production approval processes
6. Reduced Costs 
   1. Reduced maintenance costs 
   2. Decreased development overhead 
   3. Lower training costs for new hires 
7. Mitigated Risks 
   1. Better security controls 
   2. Comprehensive audit trails 
   3. Improved compliance capabilities 
   4. Enhanced disaster recovery 

Making the Transition Smooth 

At Eradani, we understand that changing change management systems can seem daunting. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive approach that: 

• Allows gradual migration at your pace 
• Maintains existing workflows while adding modern capabilities 
• Provides thorough training and support 
• Ensures minimal disruption to ongoing development 

The Investment Perspective 

Consider this change management modernization as a strategic investment rather than an IT expense. Modern systems provide: 

• Improved regulatory compliance 
• Better security controls 
• Increased development efficiency 
• Enhanced talent attraction and retention 

For Executives: You’re investing in your company’s future ability to compete and adapt in an increasingly digital marketplace. 

For IT Directors: You’re gaining tools that provide better control, visibility, and efficiency while reducing risk and technical debt. 

For Developers: You’re getting modern tools that make your job easier and more enjoyable while enhancing your career prospects. 

Next Steps

Ready to explore how modern change management/DevOps could benefit your organization? Here’s how to get started: 

1. Assess your current situation 
2. Identify key pain points and opportunities 
3. Review modern solutions like Eradani DevOps 
4. Plan a phased transition approach 

The question isn’t “Why change?” but “Can we afford not to?” Modern change management isn’t just about keeping up with technology in today’s competitive landscape – it’s about positioning your organization for future success. 

Contact us at Eradani to learn how we can help you modernize your change management system while preserving the reliability and security you depend on. Let’s work together to transform your IBM i development environment into a modern, efficient powerhouse that attracts talent and accelerates your business success.