In the experience-driven era, enterprises develop and deploy applications to accelerate innovation and fulfill the requirements of end-users. Similarly, implementing regular enhancements in applications is important for enterprises to stay ahead of the curve. However, a key challenge for enterprises lies in using legacy systems like IBM AS400 for hosting applications. This legacy system may be a frontrunner in security but making app enhancements and fulfilling market demands becomes highly difficult for enterprises.

An effective way to drive innovation and improve the AS400-hosted application’s agility is through steadfast maintenance. Dedicated IBM AS400 support experts from a recognized service provider can help enterprises maintain their AS400 infrastructure and applications running on it effectively.

Is it Important to Maintain AS400 Systems?

Decades-old enterprise servers like AS400 can be highly vulnerable to malware and contemporary threats. This affects the performance of applications running on the server and fails to comply with modern security standards. For this purpose, enterprises need to perform periodic maintenance activities like feature optimization, version upgradation, and security patch installation to make AS400 systems fully functional.

Moreover, the scope for third-party integrations and synchronization is lesser in AS400 systems. This limits the ability of enterprises to obtain the required application agility and meet users’ ever-changing requirements or demands. On the other hand, maintenance activities like server configuration or using APIs enable enterprises to effectively upgrade their AS400 systems without spending huge capital expenditure. Neglecting periodic maintenance of AS400 systems proves to be troublesome and impacts application credibility. Also, non-maintenance of legacy AS400 servers results in excess operational costs for organizations.

Role of Dedicated AS400 Support Consultants

Delegating the responsibility of AS400 server maintenance to internal IT resources might become a time and cost-intensive process. As an alternative, enterprises can outsource AS400 maintenance to a recognized support services provider. This way, organizations can get the opportunity to work with dedicated consultants, who can optimize AS400 infrastructure through agile strategies. With immense expertise, skilled AS400 consultants can perform maintenance processes like upgrades, installations, configurations, and monitoring. In a nutshell, consultants can keep the enterprise’s AS400 systems working smoothly and enhance the user experience of applications.

Reasons to Outsource AS400 Maintenance

  • Extensive Support

As stated before, dedicated AS400 maintenance experts can give valuable assistance and guidance on optimizing the infrastructure. And they can help enterprises make tactical decisions related to server upgrades, security enhancements, and other processes. Thereby, assisting enterprises refine the efficiency and performance of the AS400 ecosystem. They can also deliver training and support to in-house IT employees to help enterprises get the maximum potential out of their systems. Overall, robust training and support can help enterprises become more organized and adapt to the AS400 ecosystem.

  • Minimize Operational Costs

Maintenance of ages-old legacy systems like IBM AS400 necessitates a huge amount of infrastructure, and managing it all using IT resources requires vast investment from enterprises across the infrastructural stage as well. In this perspective, outsourcing AS400 technical support and maintenance services minimize time and efforts, which enterprises may otherwise spend on core capabilities. Since every process comes with a cost accompanied by it, outsourcing, which only requires enterprises to pay only for essential services, is a cost-effective and smarter option.

Furthermore, dedicated maintenance experts can execute code refactoring instead of complete migration or modernization. This enables enterprises to run AS400 applications without any disruptions. Maintenance is considered to be less time-consuming than modernization processes and enhances operational efficiency.

  • Strengthen AS400 Security                                                                                 

Another key advantage of outsourcing AS400 maintenance and support is that dedicated consultants deliver the utmost security for workloads and applications running on AS400 systems against cyberattacks. A team of skilled AS400 professionals will strengthen the ecosystem by implementing security updates and running compliance tests. This ensures the system is well-protected against any form of cyber threats. Besides, set up secondary data storage exclusively for organizations to back up their information during downtime and leakage situations.

  • Enhance Scalability

By obtaining comprehensive assistance from a reputable service provider, organizations can seamlessly scale their application and fulfill evolving business needs. Through robust collaboration and administration, AS400 maintenance experts can ensure structured infrastructure management and better transparency of upgradation processes. This way, enterprises can strategically spend their resources. Moreover, organizations can also discuss their scalability requirements through digital communication platforms so that the support experts can make all the enhancements at once. Through steadfast maintenance, dedicated AS400 specialists help enterprises benefit the most from their legacy system.

  • Troubleshoot Complications

With AS400 maintenance outsourcing, organizations can get round-the-clock assistance from dedicated professionals. By using virtual tools, experts can reliably monitor the AS400 applications and plan periodic maintenance to guarantee ideal performance. Experts can address and fix any practical complexities in the server within a lesser turnaround time. When AS400 systems undergo a problem, it can impact the performance of application & workflow. Offshore maintenance experts who are accustomed to the AS400 infrastructure can troubleshoot complications and avert downtime scenarios. This level of support improves business continuity. Besides, this approach will help enterprises free up in-house IT experts from the accountability of As400 issue resolution.

Summing Up

Overall, hiring AS400 support and maintenance experts from a recognized offshore provider is an effective way to optimize AS400 infrastructure. By offering robust guidance, dedicated AS400 experts can organize and upgrade the AS400 ecosystem and ensure better application productivity.