IBM System i

Challenges in IBM System i Administration

Many administrators face specific challenges with IBM System i: The complexity of legacy environments, a lack of real-time monitoring, and time-consuming user and rights management can make day-to-day work difficult.
Compounding this issue is the fact that fewer and fewer professionals possess in-depth knowledge of IBM i—a growing risk to smooth operations. Legal requirements for IT security and documentation are also increasing. This is where Coraltree comes in!

Custodiro: Our
IBM iSeries Software

With Custodiro, we offer a practical solution for the efficient management of IBM iSeries environments. The software was developed specifically for administrators who work with IBM System i on a daily basis and want to actively shape processes.
Whether it’s user management, backup control, monitoring, or logging—Custodiro bundles key functions into an intuitive interface. Particularly helpful: preconfigured workflows, automated notifications, and a flexible permissions model. This makes administration easier—even in complex system landscapes. You can find more information here:

More about IBM i and DB2

Coraltree complements traditional administrative approaches with a modern, modular architecture and is designed for companies looking to modernize their IBM i administration in a sustainable way. The solution offers comprehensive automation features, detailed analysis and reporting tools, and intelligent task management that can be customized to meet specific requirements.
With our solutions, routine tasks can be handled more efficiently, critical processes can be monitored effectively, and resources can be utilized optimally. The platform not only supports day-to-day operations but also provides insights for the future-oriented development of your IT strategy.

Programming on IBM System i differs fundamentally from development on conventional platforms. It is based on a deeply integrated architecture in which the operating system, database, and development environment are closely intertwined.
This not only enables stable and high-performance applications but also makes programming particularly efficient. Developers benefit from direct database access, robust security mechanisms, and proven tools such as SEU, RDi, or Rational Developer. Despite modern alternatives, native development on IBM i remains of central importance for many business-critical processes.

RPG (Report Program Generator) is the longest-standing programming language on IBM i and was originally developed to generate reports from databases quickly and in a structured manner. RPG truly shines when used in conjunction with the integrated DB2 database: it enables high-performance database operations with minimal coding effort.
Many existing applications on IBM i are based on RPG, which continues to make the language a key competency in IBM i environments. Our product dopplix®> was specifically developed to transfer data from DB2 databases into a format that can be read and processed by all other database systems.

Learn more about dopplix®>

With the introduction of RPG IV, and in particular Free-Format RPG, IBM has significantly modernized the language and given it a contemporary look. The new syntax is more closely aligned with common high-level languages such as Java or C#, which makes it much easier for new developers to get started.
At the same time, code readability and maintainability have been improved—a clear advantage for long-term applications. Features such as a modular structure, procedures, service programs, and enhanced support for modern development environments make RPG a powerful tool—even for experts and demanding applications in complex system landscapes.

Despite the growing popularity of modern programming languages, RPG remains indispensable in many companies. Numerous business-critical applications run on IBM System i and are written in RPG—maintaining, further developing, or modernizing them requires in-depth knowledge of this language.
At the same time, the pool of experienced RPG developers is limited, which makes this expertise particularly valuable and our experts irreplaceable. Those who are proficient in RPG therefore secure a clear competitive advantage—both from a technical and a professional standpoint. Especially in companies with long-standing system architectures, RPG expertise is in greater demand today than ever before.

The DB2 database is a central component of the IBM System i platform and forms the backbone of many business-critical applications. Unlike traditional database systems, DB2 is seamlessly integrated into the IBM i operating system, resulting in a particularly stable and high-performance overall solution.
The tight integration of the database, operating system, and hardware ensures smooth operation and minimal administrative overhead. Companies benefit from robust data management that can be flexibly adapted to a wide range of requirements—from traditional ERP systems to modern analytics and reporting solutions.

Even on the original AS/400 platform, DB2 played a central role and was more than just an optional add-on from the very beginning. As a fully integrated relational database, it is deeply embedded in the system and performs far more tasks than just data storage.
Db2 on IBM i serves simultaneously as a database, transaction engine, and interface to applications—without external drivers or additional configurations. This architecture reduces complexity and provides a stable foundation for applications that are designed to run reliably and perform well for many years to come.

A key feature of DB2 on IBM i is its exceptional performance—even with large volumes of data and complex transactions. Thanks to its tight integration with the operating system, DB2 benefits from direct access to system resources without additional layers or intermediary systems.
Furthermore, the database scales to meet growing demands: whether it’s new business processes, an increasing number of users, or growing data volumes—DB2 remains powerful and stable. Optimized indexing, automatic tuning, and high availability make it an ideal solution for data-intensive enterprise applications.

The applications of Db2 on IBM i are extremely diverse. In addition to traditional business applications such as inventory management, accounting, and production, the database is increasingly being used for business intelligence, data warehousing, and modern interface solutions.
Thanks to SQL support, web services integration, and REST API functionality, Db2 can be flexibly integrated into hybrid IT architectures. Companies use Db2 not only as a stable backbone for their operational systems but also as a powerful data foundation for data-driven decisions, analyses, and custom software solutions. This benefits companies—and their customers!

Many IBM System i installations have grown over the years and continue to perform their tasks reliably. But that is often precisely where the challenge lies: processes, applications, and structures are not always optimally aligned with one another or integrated into the modern IT environment.
Professional IBM System i consulting provides clarity in this area. It helps identify risks early on, use resources more efficiently, and further develop the platform in a targeted manner—without jeopardizing ongoing operations. Issues such as security, interface integration, or migrations can also be addressed more effectively and quickly with external expertise.

Our many years of experience with IBM System i make Coraltree a reliable partner for medium-sized and large enterprises, as well as for our clients in general. We understand the unique characteristics of this platform—from both a technical and operational perspective.
Whether it involves maintaining existing applications, implementing new tools, optimizing performance, or developing new solutions, we support you as a partner with practical solutions and personalized support. Our team combines decades of expertise with a fresh perspective on modern IT requirements—and delivers projects with the highest quality standards. We look forward to hearing from you!