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Three Key Points to Retain
■ IBM i applications and data contain tremendous value■ Modernization drives business value■ There is a Modernization Strategy for everyone
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Topics
■ Value of Your IBM i■ Business Value Creation■ Modernization Strategies■ Planning Your Modernization■ How to Get Started
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Why invest in IBM i
■ Modern secure platform■ IBM commitment with roadmap and support for
mainstream solutions including open source■ Years of business critical information in your systems■ Leveraging existing investment is proven to be faster,
lower risk and more cost effective
Replace with PackageReplace the current system with a new one.
ModernizationExtend, Evolve, or Transform the application to newer technologies.
RewriteRewrite the applications in their entirety.
Do NothingLive with the challenges and adapt.
Strategic Options for IBM i Applications Do Nothing, Modernize, Replace or Rewrite
Sources: Standish Group
Legacy Application and Data Challenges
Medium BusinessChallenges
Outdated interfaces, Remote access, Onboarding new staff
Lack of innovation, Integration with desktop and external systems
Access to data, Real-time information, Data integrity
Retiring staff, Lack of skills, Attracting new talent, IT Backlog
Developer and IT productivity, Monolithic code base, Time to market
Process improvement, Document distribution, Workflow automation
Non standard or mainstream languages, Portability
User Experience
Extend Business Functionality
Data Access
Resource /Business Continuity
IT Efficiency / Productivity
Streamline Business Process
Maintainability / Agility
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Modernization Business Goals
Agility
Reduce training / onboarding
Lower costs / increase profitability
Drive innovation for competitive benefit
Enable new channels of access
Merger and acquisition integration
Compliance (SOX, HIPAA, etc.)
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Technical View of Modernization
■ GUI / Web Enablement■ Mobile Access■ Workflow Optimization
■ Code restructuring / modularization■ RPG-Free Format■ Code Transformation
■ DDS to DDL■ Data accessibility (long names, data model, reporting, etc.)■ Data integrity (foreign key constraints, data cleansing)
User Interface (5250)
Code / Business Logic
Database
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Modernization is a Unique Journey
■ Unique Starting Point(languages, technologies, apps)
■ Unique Destination(target technology stack, packaged apps, etc.)
■ Uniquely staged to the needs of your organization
■ Executed in a model that matches your needs
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Aligning to Business Value Creation
What does the business get out of it?
Move from an IT-centric perspective to a business-centric one
Existing IT budgets are rarely adequate to fund mid-to-large scale modernization initiatives
The business will need to sponsor and fund the project
A professional and strategic approach to the business is required
So… what business problems are you solving?
What is the Return-On-Investment to the business?
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SAMPLE – Modernization Project Sequencing
New Order Entry
Interface
Move to Real-Time
Optional:Print Engine
Replacement / Optimization
Modernize DB and Back Office App.
Value Creation:Reduced operating costsReduced printing costsImproved workflowImproved data qualityFaster new user on-boarding
Value Creation:Improved data qualityImproved data timeliness
Value Creation:Business flexibilityClient servicing
Value Creation:Reduced IT costsReduced operating costsImproved agilityImproved resource avail.
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How to Create Business Value
■ Creating Value▶ Enabling new or incremental revenues▶ Saving money that translates into improved profits
● Improve workflows, save on resources
▶ Enabling new markets or increased market-share
■ It needs to be measureable and defendable■ Why does the business need this and who will fund it
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Descriptions of a Modernization Plan
Business Value Description:■ Moving to a low-cost, open platform to
run our business will reduce operating costs by 20% per year with mid-to-long-term costs savings on resources.
■ Business workflow will be optimized and we should be able to see a decrease of 10% in data entry positions and 75% reduction in onboarding time of new staff.
■ Time-to-market on new products and revenue-generating features will be cut by 60%, enabling us to innovate quicker and more easily respond to competition.
Technical Description:
■ Transforming our system to xx low-cost platform and yy feature-rich database.
■ Web-based user interface with a focus on a new user experience.
■ Restructured, modern code that anyone can maintain.
■ Integrated security
■ Improved data integrity and data accessibility.
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Challenges With Modernization Projects
■ Knowing where and how to start
■ Having a complete understanding and map of the existing systems (modules, programs, data, dependencies, etc.)
■ How to find the time
■ Having the right skills
■ How to plan such projects
■ Knowing what tools and approaches exist in the market
■ Getting funding and organizational support
“The pace of change has never been faster and the need for IT to predictably deliver has never been higher.”
Finding the Right Strategy
Application ModernizationStrategies & Solutions
Maintain
Modernize
Replace
Application Support Services
GUI, Services & Mob. Enablement
Automated Conversion
Code Transformation
Re-architecting / Re-engineering
Re-write
Packaged Application
Strategy Solution
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Adopt a Portfolio-based Approach
Application Module Modernization Strategy Rationale Timeframe
Accounting Packaged Replacement Non-Unique 2 years
Payroll Outsource Non-Unique 12 months
Shipping & Receiving Basic Modernization 12 months
Tracking & Logistics UI, Desktop integration, workflow optimization, business enhancements
Does not meet current business needs. Cumbersome workflow.
6 months
Materials Management Basic Modernization 2 years
Inventory UI, workflow optimization Needs intuitive workflow 6 months
Supplier Management TBD Will work with business to refine needs
12 months
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Take a Phased Approach to Modernization
■ Organizations don’t like to invest into multi-year programs where the benefits only appear at the end.
■ Create a milestone-based plan
■ Establish a quick (and visible) win to show early success
■ What does the business get “along the way”
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SAMPLE – Phased Modernization Strategy
DB Modernization
(basic –long names)
UI & Workflow Customizations
Published Data Model
(transparency & accessibility)
Rapid Web Enablement
Web Services(expose business
functions)
Code Refactoring
(maintainability and agility)
DB Modernization(for integrity and
security)
Reporting Data Mart
Data Access Modularization
(& record set processing)
Stage 1: Non-invasive, quick wins
Stage 2: Transformation, Strategic Investment into Improving Business Agility
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SAMPLE – Project Timeline
Start 12M 24M6M 18M
Stage 1:New Order Entry
Stage 2:Real-Time Push
Stage 3:App & DB Port
Stage 4:Print Eng. Repl.
Proven Approach to Successful Modernization
Define Goals Measures Implement
Aligning Business and ITUnderstanding the business
needs, the current environment, creating a strategy, plan and
budget that aligns IT and business goals.
Defining SuccessIn order to achieve success,
it’s important to define it. This phase captures goals and
metrics that will measure the performance of the plan and
success of the effort.
Where to StartWhere are we starting? This
phase focuses on aligning and staging the plan in order to achieve desired business
outcomes.
ImplementationCarrying out the plan
according to the resources, skills, bandwidth and
experience. In-house or outsourced.
Continuous ImprovementImplementing and adopting new processes, procedures, tooling,
skillsets and capabilities to improve agility and keep IT at the forefront of technology within the
organization.
Plan Improve
Modernized Applications = Increased Business Value & New Opportunity
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Planning Approach for GUI and Mobile Enablement
1. Engage with the users
2. Think outside the IBM i
3. Focus on User Experience
4. Create Quick Wins
5. Adopt Agile
1 2 3 4 5Engage Think Focus Create Adopt
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Planning Approach for Large-Scale Modernization
■ Large-scale modernization projects require sizable funding and organizational support
■ Organizations expect results and predictability
■ Many businesses have experienced failures, have shaken confidence in IT’s ability to manage and deliver
■ For IT leadership, these are high risk / high reward projects (Career makers or career breakers)
■ IT leaders must invest in building strong business cases, validated by experts
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Getting Organizational Support & Funding
■ What does an organization want to see to fund and support a large-scale project▶ A clearly articulated business case▶ Supported by details (current state, future state, how = plan, resources,
timeline, milestones, costs, spending schedule, scope, risks and mitigations, alternatives researched, rationalization)
▶ How it aligns to creating business value and the future of the business▶ Milestone-driven plan, with funding gates▶ Thorough research, validated by experts▶ Executive sponsorship
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What do you need to gather / build?
InventoryProject Plan
Strategy / Approach DocumentBudget
(and Spending Schedule)
Exec-level Presentation
■ Scope
■ Strategy and approach■ Resourcing■ Tools
■ Costing
■ Defining value to business (staged)
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Managing Risk
■ Choosing less risky modernization paths and strategies
■ Breaking up the modernization project into smaller pieces
■ Proper project planning
■ Understanding all the costs (hardware, software, services)
■ Skill set requirements and acquiring them (hiring, training, contracting)
■ Risk and contingency planning
■ Finding the right partner(s) – experience, breadth of knowledge
■ On-going executive buy-in and support
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Getting Started – The next 2-4 weeks
Step 1: Seek input from line-of-business application stakeholders
Step 2: Develop a Portfolio Strategy straw-man▶ What apps are in the portfolio?
▶ Define a timeframe
▶ Define / draft what modernization looks like for each app in the portfolio
▶ Define / quantify the Business Value of your strategy
Step 3: Seek external validation on strategy and approach.
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Three Key Points to Retain
■ IBM i applications and data contain tremendous value■ Modernization drives business value■ There is a Modernization Strategy for everyone
Questions?
Emmanuel TzinevrakisVP Professional Services, Fresche