IBM i provides an exceptionally integrated, secure and reliable platform for running mission-critical business workloads. The operating system, database, security, middleware and management capabilities work together as a single environment, which simplifies operations and reduces complexity. I particularly value its stability, object-based architecture, integrated Db2 database, strong backward compatibility and excellent support for high availability and disaster recovery. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The main challenge is the perception that IBM i is a legacy platform, despite its continuous modernization and strong business value. Skilled professionals can also be difficult to find, and some organizations underinvest in modernization, automation and application development practices. In addition, certain management interfaces and product documentation could be made more consistent and easier for new users to navigate. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

IIBM i is extremely reliable and stable, which is critical for running core business applications. In our experience, downtime is very rare, and system management is straightforward compared to distributed environments.

The tight integration between the operating system, database (DB2), and security simplifies operations and reduces the need for multiple tools. The object-based architecture and built-in security features also help minimize risks, including ransomware exposure.

It’s a platform you can trust for long-term, mission-critical workloads. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One of the main challenges is the perception of IBM i as a legacy platform, which can make it harder to attract new talent with relevant skills.

The ecosystem is not as broad as more mainstream platforms, and modernization initiatives (such as UI or integration with modern DevOps pipelines) may require additional tools or expertise.

Cost can also be a consideration for smaller organizations, especially when compared to commodity-based infrastructures. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

To be honest, the thing I dig most about IBM i is just how "set it and forget it" the whole system feels. I've been messin around with servers for a minute, and most of them need babying 24/7, but this one just keeps chugging.

Why I think its solid

The integrated database (DB2) is probably the best part. Since the DB is baked right into the OS, you don't gotta spend hours configuring connections or worrying about things breaking during an update. It just works. Also, the security is lowkey insane. You hardly ever hear about IBM i getting hit by the same malware that wrecks Windows boxes because the object-based architecture makes it hard for hackers to find a way in. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Finding RPG developers is basically impossible since everyone's learning Python now. The "green screen" interface feels stuck in the 90s, and licensing costs are straight up robbery. Plus, navigating the old-school documentation is a total headache when you just need a quick fix. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like IBM i's highly integrated and reliable architecture, which combines the operating system, database, and middleware into a single system, reducing complexity and improving efficiency. Its exceptional stability is a great asset, allowing mission-critical applications to run with minimal downtime. The built-in database, Db2 for i, is another feature I really appreciate, as it offers excellent performance and simplifies data handling. IBM i's strong security model provides object-level security that makes enforcing security policies easy. The powerful job scheduling and workload management capabilities are also something I value because they allow efficient handling of batch jobs and system resources. Overall, IBM i is a dependable and efficient platform that enables me to focus more on business logic while dealing with fewer infrastructure issues. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

While IBM i is a highly reliable and stable platform, there are a few areas where it could be improved to better align with modern development practices. One of the main challenges is the learning curve. Technologies like RPG and CL are not as widely used today, so it can be difficult to find developers who are comfortable working with them. This can slow down onboarding and knowledge transfer in teams. Another area is modernization. Although IBM i does support modern languages like Java and APIs, integrating legacy systems with newer technologies can sometimes require additional effort compared to more contemporary platforms that are built with cloud-native architectures in mind. The user interface and tooling can also feel outdated. Compared to modern IDEs and development environments, some IBM i tools are less intuitive and may impact developer productivity, especially for those coming from modern tech stacks. Scalability and flexibility, particularly in cloud environments, is another aspect that could be enhanced. While IBM i is extremely powerful on-premise, adapting it to cloud-native or microservices-based architectures is not always straightforward. Lastly, cost can be a concern. The infrastructure and licensing for IBM i systems can be relatively expensive compared to open-source or distributed alternatives. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like IBM i's Hybrid Cloud Leadership, which focuses on helping businesses run applications seamlessly across on-premise systems, private clouds, and public clouds instead of forcing everything into a single environment. It's very valuable for me as it acts as a powerful, all-in-one business engine that runs mission-critical operations reliably behind the scenes. IBM i acts like a strong, reliable core system that connects with modern tools to create a complete IT ecosystem. The initial setup of IBM i is generally considered easier than many enterprise systems. I highly recommend IBM i for reliability and business-critical systems. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

To excel in cutting edge experimentation, IBM i should evolve into a cloud-like, developer-friendly platform with an instant access, open tools, and native support for modern innovation patterns. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I use IBM i primarily for managing enterprise business applications and backend operations. I appreciate its reliability and low maintenance architecture, which reduce operational risk and minimize the time spent managing infrastructure issues. The highly stable environment is great for running critical applications with minimal downtime, essential for enterprise operations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

For me there are areas where the platform feels outdated compared to newer cloud-native environments in terms of modern development. Maybe you can add more modern tooling, streamlined APIs, better integration with widely used languages and frameworks could help. Its not that typical, I just take help from several forums and documentations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I enjoy IBM i software and appreciate the trustworthiness and value of their products. They regularly update their products and services, and I like their customer care as they always help to satisfy their customers. What I like most is the data evolution feature, as it aids in my data management and services. IBM i's diverse and reliable range of software and services, including data management, data services, and data evaluation, really stands out to me. I appreciate the business services and find the initial setup very easy. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I feel like IBM i could use more AI services and products. It would be helpful if they also considered consumer opinions more. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like IBM i for its uptime and seamless integration of the database. The fact that the OS, database, and security are designed as a single unit makes it efficient and much more secure. I appreciate that the integrated database means we don't have to waste time configuring external drivers or managing connection middleware, which eliminates a major point of failure. Since the OS and database are a single unit, we achieve maximum uptime with almost zero performance tuning, offering a 'set it and forget it' reliability valuable for me in keeping our critical system running 24/7 without needing any manual help. Additionally, hosting our core business applications and managing mission-critical databases, as well as high-volume transaction processing with high reliability, is important for running ERP systems and handling inventory management effectively. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The green screen interface feels outdated. It is also difficult and expensive to find specialized RPG talent compared to modern languages. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like using IBM i for its capabilities in business applications such as ERP systems, inventory management, and core banking software. It helps me with government systems, tax systems, and managing public records. The software makes it easy to find key insights and hidden patterns in ERP systems, and it's effective in analyzing data. In inventory management, it allows me to use, store, and get detailed inventory information. For banking software, I appreciate the security and detailed analysis of transactions and logs it offers. Overall, IBM i is a very good software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I think it could have a better analysis in the ERP system and also improve security more. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

“What I like best about IBM i is how stable and reliable it is. It just runs without issues, even under heavy workloads Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

“What I dislike about IBM i is that the interface feels outdated and not very intuitive, especially for new users Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.