More than three decades after its launch, IBM iSeries (AS/400) remains the backbone of thousands of companies. Here's its history, its impact today, and why it's still a strategic advantage in the middle of the digital era.
A story of technological continuity
Launched in 1988, the AS/400 was built to deliver an integrated hardware-and-software solution aimed at midsize and large enterprises. Its evolution into IBM i on Power Systems has been steady, and today it remains a platform recognized for its stability, integration, and performance.
What began as a COBOL-based system has grown into a robust architecture that blends heritage with the future, able to coexist with modern technologies and hybrid cloud environments without losing what makes it distinctive.
Who still uses IBM iSeries today?
According to IT Jungle's 2024 report, more than 120,000 organizations worldwide run IBM i, of which around 30,000 use it actively with current support and modern processes. They include banks, logistics companies, global retailers, and public-sector bodies.
The common profile: organizations that prioritize reliability, low operating costs, and the platform's built-in structural security. In a landscape defined by volatility, IBM i continues to stand for stability.
The advantages behind its staying power
- High availability with near-zero downtime.
- Security built into the core of the operating system.
- A lower total cost of ownership than modern platforms.
- Reduced technical maintenance thanks to its stability.
- Continuity with applications developed in COBOL.
What the market says
According to the 2025 IBM i Marketplace Survey conducted by Fortra:
- 96% of users say they achieve a higher ROI than with other platforms.
- 75% plan to keep running IBM i for at least another 10 years.
- 60% have partially modernized their systems while keeping the IBM i core.
An ecosystem that's still very much alive
IBM maintains a network of resellers, integrators, and developers specialized in IBM i through its IBM Partner Plus program. In countries such as Spain, Germany, the U.S., and Japan, there are firms dedicated to delivering advanced services on this platform.
On top of that, the technical community keeps building improvements in COBOL, RPG, SQL, and integrations with modern APIs, keeping the platform alive and in step with the times.
What's in store for the years ahead?
Far from disappearing, IBM is adding support for containers (Docker), hybrid environments, and new interoperability standards with tools like OpenShift, all without sacrificing its original robustness or requiring risky migrations.
IBM's official roadmap continues to include operating-system updates and performance improvements, a clear sign of its commitment to the platform.
IBM iSeries isn't the past. It's a real competitive advantage.
For many companies, continuing to bet on IBM isn't a conservative choice, it's a strategy built for the future.