February 19, 2020
February 19, 2020 | Volume 12 Issue 42
- LEAD ARTICLE: Dissecting the HelpSystems IBM i Marketplace Survey
- FEATURED ARTICLE: Artificial Intelligence Isn't Scary, Part 1
- FEATURED ARTICLE: Developer Kit: Making a Business Case for Modernization and Beyond
- NEWS HIGHLIGHT: MB Software & Consulting, Inc. Celebrates 25 Years!
- WHITE PAPER: 2020 IBM i Marketplace Survey Results
- FEATURED VIDEO: Design an Invoice in 10 Minutes
- EVENT: CIO Summit — March 23-24, 2020 in Dallas

Dissecting the HelpSystems IBM i Marketplace Survey
Progressive stability is a major characteristic of the IBM i community.
By Steve Pitcher
Now in its sixth year, HelpSystems’ IBM i Marketplace Survey is one of the strongest state-of-affairs indicators of the IBM i community.
Seiden Group Announces Free Access to CommunityPlus+ PHP for IBM i

Artificial Intelligence Isn't Scary, Part 1
Artificial Intelligence may seem frightful, but the practical applications for it, particularly in business, are expanding, and some say the possibilities are limitless. A clear-eyed look at the true state of AI business projects shows more reason for optimism than fear.
By John Ghrist
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has had a somewhat dark reputation over the past few decades. It doesn't help that it's traditionally gotten a bad rap from Western culture. Films are a prime example. Beginning with HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Colossus in The Forbin Project (1970), and SkyNet in the Terminator films, just to name a few, AI is often portrayed as a technology bound to go wrong and threaten or doom the human species somehow. Couple that with countless sci-fi novels and stories in which humanity is portrayed as little more than a launch point for the silicon-based machine lifeform that will succeed us…well, it's little wonder that some people are afraid of AI in the aggregate. That's not to mention the fears that any new technology will "eliminate my…
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:
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- View online without delay
- Browser interface to make notes
- Custom retention capabilities
- Seamless product integration
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Developer Kit: Making a Business Case for Modernization and Beyond
Editor's note: This article introduces the white paper Developer Kit: Making a Business Case for Modernization and Beyond, which is free to download from the MC White Paper Center.