imPower Technologies

05/28/2026

At imPower Technologies, we work with companies training new developers, junior hires, and internal talent who are stepping into IBM i for the first time. Our IBM i concepts course gives them the foundation they need to stop feeling lost and start being productive.
In this course, students learn:
✔ Core IBM i concepts and architecture
✔ Db2 for i fundamentals
✔ How to navigate the system confidently
✔ Modern development and tooling basics
✔ The operational knowledge needed to work in real environments
For employers, it’s about accelerating onboarding and reducing ramp-up time.
For learners, it’s about finally making the system click.
IBM i isn’t going anywhere and neither is the need for skilled developers who can step into it with confidence.
If your company is investing in IBM i talent, this is where that foundation starts: https://impowertechnologies.com/concepts-class/

An 8 week self-study concepts class that helps inexperienced users/developers to get acclimated to the IBM i operating systems and associated software

05/26/2026

One of the biggest mistakes organizations make during modernization is assuming technology alone drives transformation.
It doesn’t.
People do.
A recent piece from George VanEaton explores an important reality many IBM i teams face but rarely discuss openly: the human side of change. Fear of new tools. Fear of losing relevance. Fear of failure during modernization efforts.
In the IBM i world, we often focus heavily on what teams need to learn, but as educators, we’ve learned something equally important:
Successful modernization depends on whether developers feel supported while learning those skills.
Training is not just about transferring technical knowledge. It’s about building confidence, creating psychological safety, and helping experienced professionals evolve without feeling left behind.
The strongest IBM i organizations in the next decade will not be the ones that simply adopt the newest tools fastest.
They’ll be the ones that create cultures of continuous learning.
Because modernization is ultimately a leadership and education challenge as much as it is a technical one.

Blend Break: Know Your Beans First Sip I was at the IMUG Nashville meeting this week, talking with a room full of IBM i developers. Different companies.

05/21/2026

AI is only as powerful as the data behind it.
And for IBM i environments, SQL is what unlocks that data.
Modern AI tools depend on fast, structured, accessible information. If your business data is trapped in legacy access methods or siloed applications, AI initiatives struggle before they even begin.
That’s why SQL has become one of the most important skills for IBM i developers today.
SQL helps organizations:
✔ Access and organize business data efficiently
✔ Prepare data for AI and analytics tools
✔ Connect IBM i systems to modern applications
✔ Build APIs that deliver structured data
✔ Improve reporting, automation, and decision-making
✔ Modernize without replacing core business systems
The companies succeeding with AI aren’t just adopting new tools. They’re building strong data foundations.
For IBM i shops, SQL is a critical part of that foundation.
If APIs are the bridge to AI, SQL is the engine that powers the data behind it.

Learn about our SQL course: https://impowertechnologies.com/sql-queries-workshop/

05/19/2026

If you want to prepare for the future of AI on IBM i, start by learning APIs.
Why?
Because APIs are what allow IBM i applications to connect to modern AI tools, automation platforms, cloud services, and external applications.
AI doesn’t magically plug into legacy systems. It relies on structured, secure ways to access and exchange data, and that’s exactly what APIs provide.
For IBM i developers, API skills are becoming one of the most important modernization skills you can learn right now.
With API knowledge, you can:
✔ Connect IBM i applications to AI platforms
✔ Enable automation workflows
✔ Share business data securely across systems
✔ Integrate with cloud and SaaS applications
✔ Future-proof existing IBM i applications
✔ Make legacy business logic usable in modern environments
The companies getting the most value from AI won’t be the ones chasing hype. They’ll be the ones with developers who know how to integrate trusted business systems with modern technologies.
For IBM i professionals, APIs are no longer optional. They’re the bridge to the future of AI-enabled development.

Learn about our new APIs course: https://impowertechnologies.com/restful_apis_ibmi/

05/07/2026

Interesting takeaway from this recent article in IT Jungle: the expected “GenAI bump” for Power Systems hasn’t fully arrived yet, at least not in the way many expected. But that doesn’t mean AI isn’t impacting the IBM i world. In fact, it may signal something even more important.
The real challenge is preparing IBM i environments to actually use AI effectively.
That means organizations need:
✔ Modern data access through SQL
✔ APIs that expose business logic securely
✔ Integration capabilities across platforms
✔ Clean, usable business data
✔ Developers who understand modernization and automation workflows
The companies that benefit most from AI won’t simply upgrade infrastructure. They’ll build the integration and modernization foundation that allows AI to connect with real business operations.
IBM i has always been home to critical business data and processes. The opportunity now is making those systems AI-ready.
How is your IBM i shop doing this? Let us know in the comments below.

With the Power11 systems upgrade cycle only nine months old and with price increases that have been happening monthly since early April 1 and possibly continuing through the end of the year, we expect for the Power Systems business to be up in 2026 for the full year. In the first quarter of 2026 end...

05/07/2026

We’re excited to celebrate the newest Richard C. Loeber Fellow, Andres G. from Baker Distributing Company.
Andres has already earned recognition for his talent, enthusiasm, and strong work ethic — qualities that make him a fantastic addition to the growing IBM i community and a deserving recipient of this fellowship opportunity.
As part of the Kisco Systems Richard C. Loeber Fellowship, Andres will receive IBM i training through imPower Technologies, along with a one-year membership to COMMON.
A special thank you to Jonathan Covell and the leadership team at Baker Distributing Company for supporting Andres and investing in the next generation of IBM i talent.
Read the full announcement here:
https://www.kisco.com/rcl/fellows/andres-garcia.html

05/05/2026

The role of the IBM i developer is changing fast.
In 2026, it’s no longer just about maintaining legacy systems. The most valuable IBM i professionals are becoming modernization leaders, integration specialists, and AI-ready developers.
Here are some of the top skills shaping the future of IBM i development:
✔ Modern free-format RPG
✔ Advanced SQL & Db2 for i
✔ REST APIs & integrations
✔ AI readiness & automation workflows
✔ VS Code & modern tooling
✔ Git & DevOps practices
✔ Open-source technologies on IBM i
The biggest shift?
IBM i developers are now expected to connect trusted business systems to modern applications, cloud platforms, APIs, and AI technologies.
The developers who combine technical modernization skills with deep business knowledge will be the ones leading the future of the platform.
Swipe through to see the top IBM i developer skills for 2026 →

04/28/2026

The role of IBM i within the enterprise is evolving.

While the platform continues to deliver the reliability and performance it’s known for, the expectations around how it operates within a broader technology ecosystem have changed. Today, IBM i systems are expected to integrate seamlessly with web applications, cloud services, third-party platforms, and emerging technologies like AI.

APIs are central to making that possible. They provide a standardized, efficient way for systems to communicate, allowing IBM i applications to share data, expose business logic, and participate in modern, distributed architectures without requiring fundamental changes to the core system.

For developers, this represents an important shift in how applications are designed and delivered. The focus moves beyond standalone programs toward reusable, service-based components that can be accessed across the organization and beyond.

Developing API skills are becoming a foundational part of working effectively in today’s IBM i environments.

Curious how you can learn APIs for IBM i? Check out our new course taught by Patrick Behr: https://impowertechnologies.com/restful_apis_ibmi/

04/23/2026

Heading to COMMON’s POWERUp 2026? Make sure Michelle Lyons is on your schedule.
Michelle is bringing a mix of foundational and forward-looking sessions to this year’s event:

Here’s what she’ll be diving into:
🔹 Getting started with VS Code and IBM i workshop, taught with Jim Buck
🔹 Legacy to Legendary: Unlocking AI in IBM i workflows with N8N, taught with Patrick Behr

Whether you’re just getting comfortable with modern development tools or exploring how AI can fit into your existing workflows, these sessions are built to meet you where you are and push you forward.

Take a look at her schedule and plan ahead: https://powerup2026.sched.com/speaker/mlyons15

04/21/2026

Are you heading to COMMON’s POWERUp 2026?
Jim Buck will be leading multiple sessions designed to help developers and IT teams stay current, practical, and forward-thinking:
🔹 Getting started with VS Code on IBM i Workshop, taught with Michelle Lyons
🔹 Processing JSON with DB2 and RPG
🔹 Start using ILE RPG Modernization Techniques
If you’re attending POWERUp:
👉 Make time for Jim’s sessions
👉 Come ready to learn something you can actually use
👉 And don’t be surprised if you walk away with a new way of thinking about your day-to-day development work
This is what POWERUp is all about: learning from people who are actively shaping the future of IBM i.
See you in New Orleans: https://powerup2026.sched.com/speaker/jbuck51