April 1, 2020
April 1, 2020 | Volume 16 Issue 45
- LEAD ARTICLE: Practical Life: Living in the Coronavirus World
- FEATURED ARTICLE: RPG Academy: Database Modernization - Methodology, Part 7
- FEATURED NEWS: IBM Offers Free Tools Based on Trusted Data to Track COVID-19 Cases on Your Phone and Online
- WHITE PAPER: 2020 IBM i Marketplace Survey Results
- FEATURED VIDEO: Design an Invoice in 10 Minutes
- EVENT: Gain Peace of Mind with Support and Services for Your IBM i Applications

Practical Life: Living in the Coronavirus World
As the number of people sheltering in place grows, here are a few tips on surviving working from home.
By Joe Pluta
As the COVID-19 pandemic that started in China is now centered in Europe, the entire world is hunkering down. Many companies are shuttered or severely limited. Those that are still running are requiring those who can to work from home. The good news for most of us in the programming field is that we usually can work from home nearly as well as from the office, and sometimes even better. As we'll see, those of us who work on the IBM midrange may actually be in a better situation than many of our colleagues on other platforms. But that doesn't mean working remotely doesn't come without challenges. Having worked remotely as much as I have, I can help you address a few of these.
Seiden Group Announces Free Access to CommunityPlus+ PHP for IBM i

RPG Academy: Database Modernization - Methodology, Part 7
As promised, let’s go over some I/O Server sample code. Again, with the precious help of Patrick Sheehy of Adsero Optima.
By Rafael Victória-Pereira
In the previous TechTip, I introduced the concept of I/O Server. Now let’s explore a sample I/O Server so that you can better grasp the concept, starting with its header, available here.
What to Do When Your AS/400 Talent Retires
IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small.
This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business?
This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn:
- Why IBM i skills depletion is a top concern
- How leading organizations are coping
- Where automation will make the biggest impact
Enjoy!
Download your copy today!
2019 State of IBM i Modernization
The annual Profound Logic ‘State of IBM i Modernization Survey” takes a look at the trends and attitudes that shape the IBM i modernization market. We reached out to the IBM i community, and the response was outstanding: close to 800 people, nearly 300 more than last year, took the survey. This enthusiasm resulted in very interesting findings for how businesses plan to use and modernize the platform in the coming year.
As you read through each section of the survey, you will see our summary of the results and suggestions for the future. We hope the survey will help your business better understand what is possible for your IBM i platform in the coming year.
Node Webinar Series Pt. 1: The World of Node.js on IBM i
Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.
Part 1 will teach you what Node.js is, why it's a great option for IBM i shops, and how to take advantage of the ecosystem surrounding Node.
In addition to background information, our Director of Product Development Scott Klement will demonstrate applications that take advantage of the Node Package Manager (npm).
watch now!
What Most IBM i Shops Get Wrong About the IFS
Can you trust all of your users all of the time?
A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six month later.
A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:
- How phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated
- Three little-known ways malicious programs can reach your IFS
- Why the IFS is IBM i’s “Typhoid Mary”
You’ll also learn why some of the most common malware solutions still leave IBM i systems vulnerable—and what you can do to protect your organization.
Easiest Way to Save Money? Stop Printing IBM i Reports
The thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing.
Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:
- Automated report distribution
- View online without delay
- Browser interface to make notes
- Custom retention capabilities
- Seamless product integration
Rerun another report? Never again. Try the Robot Report Management Solution FREE for 30 days.
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IBM Offers Free Tools Based on Trusted Data to Track COVID-19 Cases on Your Phone and Online
Hyper-local Data, News and Information on The Weather Channel app and weather.com Help Keep You Informed About the Coronavirus
In this challenging time when more than one in four Americans are under "shelter-in-place" orders1, IBM is offering free tools to track reported COVID-19 cases near you and help you stay informed.