IBM i (iSeries) Managed Services to Optimise AS400 Systems
As an IBM Silver Partner with Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, IMS is your trusted ally in navigating the complexities of IBM i / AS400 systems. Our expert team ensures seamless integration and modernisation tailored to your unique business needs.
About our IBM i / AS400 Managed Services
IMS has over 30 years of expertise in managing and supporting IBM i systems, earning us recognition as an IBM Silver Partner.
Whether you rely on an IBM i or a legacy AS400 system, our team provides bespoke solutions to modernise your operations, increase productivity, and ensure robust security.
Our managed services are tailored to address your unique challenges. Using proven methods and deep industry expertise, we focus on key concerns such as system support, security, and productivity optimisation.
While IBM i is a powerful platform, regular maintenance and strategic upgrades are essential to unlock its full potential.
IMS bridges the gap between the traditional system and modern applications, providing seamless modernisation that minimises disruption and maximises return on investment.
IMS also ensures compliance with industry standards, protecting data integrity and meeting complex regulatory requirements.
We understand that every IBM i environment is unique, and our customised solutions are designed to meet your specific business needs.
Choose IMS as your IBM i / AS400 managed services partner, one of only approximately 8500 UK businesses to be Cyber Essentials Plus accredited, to gain peace of mind and focus on your business’ future while we manage your IT needs.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your IBM i System
Request a free consultation today to explore how IMS can help modernise, secure, and optimise your IBM i system.
Service Offerings Overview
IBM systems are a powerful asset for a wide range of businesses, yet they require specialised support. Finding individuals with the required skill sets to manage an IBM i system is becoming increasingly difficult.
At IMS, we provide tailored IT consultancy services for IBM i systems, helping businesses with a wide range of issues. Whether a client hopes to enhance productivity, improve security, automate finance processes, or even plan for future upgrades, the IMS team has the experience and knowledge to ensure your project runs smoothly and efficiently.
With our team’s wide skill set, IMS is your trusted partner in benefitting from the powerful IBM I system.
Support Services
Productivity Solutions
Security & Compliance
Financial Management
Cloud Integration
Training Programs
Portal Development
AI Integration
Change Management
System Upgrades
Consulting Services
Performance Optimization
Data Management
Custom Development
Disaster Recovery
Service Offerings Overview
Here’s how IMS can help- a business optimises their IBM i:
Support
A key feature of the IBM i system is its reliability. However, continuous support and investment is essential for IBM i systems to continue operating effectively. This is where IMS can support you. Our expert team provides 1 hour response time for business-critical issues as standard ensuring any problems are resolved before they can disrupt your operations. IMS offers varying levels of support to suit the needs of every business.
Productivity Solutions
As IBM i systems grow to accommodate more data, users can face bottlenecks, leading to slower processing times which may cause delays. Our team can help remove these inefficiencies and increase your system speed. IMS can streamline your daily operations and automate repetitive tasks, saving you time and money by avoiding costly IT expansions or unnecessary hardware upgrades. Focusing on maximising the potential of your current systems, our goal is to make your IBM i system smarter, more efficient, and better equipped to handle growing demands.
Support
A key feature of the IBM i system is its reliability. However, continuous support and investment is essential for IBM i systems to continue operating effectively. This is where IMS can support you. Our expert team provides 1 hour response time for business-critical issues as standard ensuring any problems are resolved before they can disrupt your operations. IMS offers varying levels of support to suit the needs of every business.
Productivity Solutions
As IBM i systems grow to accommodate more data, users can face bottlenecks, leading to slower processing times which may cause delays. Our team can help remove these inefficiencies and increase your system speed. IMS can streamline your daily operations and automate repetitive tasks, saving you time and money by avoiding costly IT expansions or unnecessary hardware upgrades. Focusing on maximising the potential of your current systems, our goal is to make your IBM i system smarter, more efficient, and better equipped to handle growing demands.
Security and Compliance Solutions
In today’s world, robust security is non-negotiable, whether it’s protecting your data, safeguarding against cyber threats, or following regulations. IMS provides comprehensive security solutions to keep your IBM i system secure. Our bespoke solutions include encryption, access control, firewalls, and VPNs. With calls answered within one hour and a dedicated support desk, we prioritise a security-first approach when working with your systems.
Financial Management
Our financial management services are designed to seamlessly integrate with your ERP systems. As a HMRC-recognised developer, we can help with your MTD (Making Tax Digital) solution. This solution keeps all data within your systems, without the need to share or transfer it to an external third party, making it a safer and more secure option compared to other solutions that rely on third-party platforms for data processing or storage.
Cloud
As businesses increasingly explore the cloud, IMS can help you determine if migration is right for your IBM i system. For many ERP systems, moving to cloud reduces the ability to develop, bespoke and modernise their system, depending on which cloud solution they opt for. By evaluating your current IT setup and assessing if a cloud solution will help you meet your future needs, we can help clients make an informed and clear decision on the most effective, secure and appropriate solution for your business.
Training
IMS offers in-depth training programs that improve your internal teams’ skills, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence needed to manage and optimise IBM i systems independently. Whether the training is for internal technical resources, managers or end users, we offer in-person or remote training modules to meet their needs.
Portals
IMS can offer end-end development, hosting and support of web-based portals for almost any business requirement. From sales order processing with integrated scanning features, to supply chain management tools, our technical team include experienced PHP developers with specialised knowledge of ERP integration for a seamless and secure portal solution to meet your operational needs.
AI
While AI seems to be the buzzword taking the tech industry by storm, many traditional businesses may not see the merits of its application. The IMS development team can help IBM i users identify use cases and harness the power of artificial intelligence within their business operations. Contact our team to see how your business can benefit from the IMS AI Research & Development program.
Business Partners
Unlock the Full Potential of Your IBM i System
Request a free consultation today to explore how IMS can help modernise, secure, and optimise your IBM i system.
IBM i System Security & Compliance Services for Data Integrity
In today’s digital world, robust security is non-negotiable. This is especially true for businesses handling sensitive financial data. IMS, an IBM Silver Partner and Cyberessentials Plus accredited specialises in managing and supporting IBM I systems securely.
Protecting your IBM i data integrity and meeting compliance requirements is a top priority for IMS. IMS takes a security-first approach, offering bespoke solutions designed to protect your system from evolving cyber threats. With safety at the forefront of our solutions, your security is guaranteed.
These solutions include:
Encryption:
Safeguarding your data from unauthorised access.
Access Control:
Restricting system access to authorised personnel only.
Firewalls:
Preventing malicious traffic from reaching your system.
VPNs:
Establishing secure connections for remote access.
Secure Your IBM i System with IMS. Contact us today to Request a Security Assessment and discover how our expertise can enhance your IBM i system’s security and compliance. Let IMS manage your IT security needs so you can focus on what matters most: your business.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your IBM i System
Request a free consultation today to explore how IMS can help modernise, secure, and optimise your IBM i system.
Modernisation and Upgrades
As technology advances, IBM i (AS400) systems need regular updates to keep pace with modern business demands. While IBM i is renowned for its reliability and power, strategic upgrades can unlock its full potential without requiring a costly overhaul or migrations.
IMS offers expert IBM i modernisation solutions that enhance performance, improve security, and future-proof your system—all while minimising disruption to your operations.
Why modernise with IMS:
Cost-effective Enhancements:
IMS helps businesses modernise their IBM i systems without a complete overhaul, making the most of existing infrastructure while integrating the latest technologies and applications.
Minimal Disruption:
Our structured approach ensures minimal downtime, with thorough planning and testing to maintain smooth operations during the transition.
Optimised Performance:
Our upgrades improve processing speeds, optimise resource use and increase efficiency.
Enhanced Security and Compliance:
IMS’s modernisation services ensure access to the latest security features and compliance with the latest regulations.
Future-proof Your Business:
Modernisation prepares your IBM i system for the future, ensuring your business stays competitive and equipped to handle current and future business demands.
IMS combines technical expertise with strategic consulting to deliver seamless and cost-effective IBM i upgrades to extend the lifespan of your existing investment. Maximising your return on investment. Contact IMS today to learn how we can help modernise your IBM i system and empower your business for success.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your IBM i System
Request a free consultation today to explore how IMS can help modernise, secure, and optimise your IBM i system.
Change Management for IBM i Systems
Change management is crucial for any IT system, but it is especially vital for IBM i systems. These systems often form the backbone of critical business operations, supporting complex processes where even seemingly minor changes can have a considerable impact.
A robust change management strategy ensures that modifications to your IBM i environment are implemented safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to your daily operations.
What are the risks of ineffective change management?
Without a well-defined change management process, businesses operating with IBM i systems face several risks:
System Instability:
Implementing changes without proper testing can introduce errors, leading to system downtime and disruptions to business processes.
Security Vulnerabilities:
Introducing new software or updates without careful consideration of security implications can inadvertently create vulnerabilities, exposing your system to cyber threats.
Compliance Issues:
Failing to meticulously document changes can make it difficult to demonstrate adherence to regulatory requirements, potentially leading to compliance violations and associated penalties.
How can effective change management benefit your business?
Investing in robust change management tools and processes empowers your business to mitigate these risks and maintain the stability, security, and compliance of your IBM i systems.
IMS offers comprehensive change management solutions tailored to IBM i systems, designed to streamline updates, reduce operational risks, and maintain system stability. Our solutions provide:
By partnering with IMS, you gain the assurance of a stable IBM i environment that adapts smoothly to new requirements, ensuring the reliability and longevity of your systems.
Simplify and secure your IBM i updates with IMS’s structured change management solutions for enhanced stability and compliance.
Traceability and Documentation:
Every modification is carefully tracked and documented, providing a clear audit trail that simplifies compliance audits and helps teams confidently manage change.
Simplified Processes:
Our change management tools feature intuitive interfaces, making it easier for both technical and non-technical users to manage change effectively.
Risk Mitigation:
IMS’s approach prioritises stability and control. We enable safe, structured updates with the option to reverse changes if needed, reducing the risk of software conflicts or configuration errors.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your IBM i System
Request a free consultation today to explore how IMS can help modernise, secure, and optimise your IBM i system.
Training and Consulting Services
IMS provides expert consulting and hands-on training services to empower your team to confidently manage your IBM i system.
With a long history of managing and supporting IBM i systems, IMS is uniquely qualified to help businesses bridge the skills gap created by the decline in AS400-trained professionals. IMS offers in-depth training programmes that improve internal teams’ skills, giving them the knowledge and confidence to manage and optimise IBM i systems independently.
Training reduces reliance on external support, maximises system efficiency, and enhances safety compliance. By empowering employees with the necessary skills, it also helps mitigate the risk of data breaches, as employees are often the biggest risk to data security.
Training can be customised to the specific needs of your business and delivered in person or remotely. Whether training is needed for internal technical resources, managers, or end-users, IMS can develop a training module to meet those needs.
Empower your in-house team with expert knowledge, reducing reliance on external support and lowering operational costs.
Customised training tailored to your team's unique requirements, delivered flexibly—in-person or remotely.
Improve security and compliance by ensuring your staff understand best practices, reducing the risk of data breaches and compliance violations.
Case Study
EI Electronics Streamlines Supply Chain Efficiency with Custom IBM i Supplier Portal by IMS
EI Electronics Project Overview
IMS helped EI Electronics, a leader in fire and carbon monoxide detection products, streamline their supply chain by creating a supplier portal within their existing IBM i framework.
This portal consolidated supplier information, enabling EI Electronics to track shortages, urgent orders, and related documents, resulting in improved efficiency, productivity, and a more robust supply chain.
Case Study
Ecobat Resources Successfully Migrates to SAP with IMS, Maintaining Automation and Reducing Operational Costs
Ecobat Resources Project Overview
IMS assisted Ecobat Resources, a leading lead manufacturer, in migrating from System 21 to SAP while maintaining their existing levels of automation. The IMS team ensured that two robotic saws continued to operate automatically by rewriting a Visual Basic programme to integrate with the new ERP system.
This upgrade saved Ecobat valuable time and resources, eliminating the need for additional staff to manage the machines. Mohsin Malik of Ecobat Resources praised IMS for their flexibility, professionalism, responsiveness, and expertise, highlighting their commitment to delivering high-quality service.
