How AWS re: Invent’s Mainframe Insights Can Guide IBM i and AIX Modernization

AWS re: Invent consistently serves as a platform for unveiling transformative IT strategies. The most recent focus on mainframe migration provided valuable lessons that extend beyond the mainframe realm. By examining the core principles and customer examples highlighted in various sessions, we can draw meaningful parallels for modernizing IBM i and AIX environments—systems critical to operations in industries ranging from finance to manufacturing.

Through the lens of themes such as agility, incremental modernization, cloud-native architectures, and generative AI, we’ll explore how these insights can inform modernization strategies for IBM i and AIX leaders.

Agility: A Universal Driver

Agility was a recurring theme throughout re: Invent, with customer stories illustrating how modernization allows businesses to respond quickly to change. Across industries, agility empowers organizations to adapt to evolving markets, address customer demands, and outpace competitors. This need isn’t limited to mainframes but is equally relevant for IBM i and AIX systems, which often form the backbone of business-critical operations.

One standout story came from Marriott International. The company shared how its legacy systems had become a barrier to innovation in the hospitality industry. As Devesh Arora, VP of Platform Engineering, explained, Marriott’s modernization journey was about more than technology; it was about staying ahead in a highly competitive market. Their approach underscores how agility can enable businesses to transform customer experiences and remain leaders in their industries.

Marriott’s story from the hospitality industry highlights the importance of agility, but the same principle applies across various sectors. For example, Toyota, in a separate session, shared how their modernization efforts focused on building a proactive and predictive supply chain. By migrating away from their legacy system, Toyota aimed to achieve real-time visibility and empower data-driven decision-making—an approach that resonates just as strongly for IBM i and AIX environments, where modernization can help organizations shift from reactive to proactive operations.

Incremental Modernization: A Proven Path Forward

The re: Invent sessions also highlighted the value of incremental modernization—a strategy particularly relevant for complex systems like IBM i and AIX. By breaking down large-scale transformations into smaller manageable phases, organizations can reduce risk and demonstrate progress while maintaining business continuity.

Vanguard’s multi-year effort to modernize its trading platform exemplified this approach. The company began with the front-end, then progressed to APIs and databases, ensuring each phase delivered measurable value. This strategy allowed Vanguard to adapt its modernization roadmap as they learned, providing a blueprint for other organizations managing IBM i and AIX environments.

In contrast, Kemper’s story offered a different perspective with their “big bang” migration. While their approach involved migrating all at once, they achieved success through extensive parallel testing, which minimized disruption and ensured functionality. Together, these examples illustrate that whether incremental or comprehensive, effective modernization strategies depend on robust planning, testing, and risk mitigation.

Cloud-Native Architectures: Modern Principles for Legacy Systems

Cloud-native architectures were a focal point of many re: Invent sessions, emphasizing scalability, resilience, and modularity. While these principles are often associated with hyperscale clouds, they also apply to IBM i and AIX modernization efforts. Legacy systems can benefit significantly from adopting cloud-native design concepts to extend functionality and enhance integration.

Several customer sessions highlighted the value of exposing legacy functionality through APIs. This approach enables seamless interaction with modern applications and cloud-based services, unlocking opportunities for innovation while preserving the core value of existing systems. For IBM i and AIX environments, adopting cloud-native principles doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning legacy platforms—it means extending them to support today’s IT ecosystems.

Generative AI: Accelerating Modernization

Generative AI emerged as another key theme during re: Invent, with sessions showcasing how AI can accelerate modernization efforts. Task automation like code analysis, refactoring, and test case generation reduces the complexity of transforming legacy systems, allowing teams to focus on delivering business outcomes.

The applications of AI extend beyond technical tasks to optimizing business processes. Toyota’s vision of a proactive supply chain, for example, aligns closely with AI’s potential to analyze operational data, identify patterns, and recommend actions. For IBM i and AIX environments, generative AI provides a powerful tool to uncover efficiencies and enable smarter decision-making as part of the modernization journey.

Tailoring Modernization Strategies for IBM i and AIX

While the lessons from AWS re: Invent customer sessions provide a strong foundation, IBM i and AIX modernization requires careful tailoring to account for the unique challenges and opportunities these platforms present. Key considerations include:

• Skills Transition: Develop training programs to upskill teams on cloud-native concepts and tools, ensuring they are equipped to manage modernized environments.
• Integration Strategies: Prioritize seamless data sharing and interoperability between IBM i/AIX and cloud platforms, enabling hybrid IT ecosystems.
• Testing and Automation: Invest in comprehensive testing frameworks and automation tools to validate functionality and minimize disruptions during modernization.
• Platform Selection: Evaluate platforms to ensure the chosen environment aligns with specific workloads and business goals.

Modernizing IBM i and AIX systems is not a one-size-fits-all journey, but the insights shared during re: Invent customer sessions offer actionable strategies that can be adapted to fit diverse business needs.

A Roadmap for IBM i and AIX Leaders

AWS re: Invent customer sessions underscored that modernization is not just about migrating workloads but about embracing principles that drive agility, innovation, and growth. For IBM i and AIX leaders, these lessons provide a roadmap for unlocking the potential of legacy systems. Whether through incremental modernization, adopting cloud-native principles, or leveraging generative AI, the path forward is clear: modernization is the key to transforming IBM i and AIX into platforms that power the digital enterprise.