IBM i DevOps TechTalk #27 - Platform Engineering

In this episode, Ray Bernardi welcomes Alan Ashley for the second part of their conversation about AI on IBM i. Together, they explore how MCP servers work, why they can be viewed as a toolbox connecting AI assistants to trusted application data, and how ARCAD MCP Server uses structured metadata to provide accurate context without exposing source code.They also discuss the importance of governance and security, including controlled access, API keys, audit capabilities, and restrictions on sensitive actions. Finally, they explain how ARCAD’s deterministic tools can reduce token consumption, improve the reliability of AI-generated answers, and help organizations control the growing costs associated with AI models.

In this episode, Ray Bernardi welcomes Alan Ashley for the first part of a conversation about AI on IBM i. Together, they discuss why AI is becoming such an important topic for IBM i teams, how organizations can identify valuable use cases, and why context and governance are critical for successful AI adoption.They also explore the balance between innovation and security, the role of ARCAD MCP Server in delivering more reliable AI results, and how solutions like DISCOVER and DOT Anonymizer are already using AI to simplify application understanding, modernization, documentation, and data anonymization.

In this episode, Ray Bernardi welcomes Alan Ashley to explain why platform engineering is becoming the next step after DevOps: creating an internal developer platform (IDP) that standardizes tools, environments, and “paved paths to production” so teams can deliver faster and more consistently. They then show how DROPS fits in: it orchestrates releases across mixed environments, integrates with common toolchains, provides end-to-end traceability, and even supports one-click rollback to reduce risk and manual errors.

In this episode, Ray Bernardi welcomes Alan Ashley to talk about why Synon applications have become so difficult to manage today. After so many years of use, the technology hasn’t evolved, the code is hard to understand, and it’s getting harder to find people who still know Synon. Ray and Alan explain the main problems: high maintenance costs, outdated green-screen interfaces, and the lack of developers willing to work with this old tool. They also discuss why rewriting everything from scratch often fails — and why replacing an entire application can be risky. They then introduce ARCAD’s automated approach: converting Synon-generated code into modern free-form RPG and SQL while keeping all the business logic. This makes applications easier to maintain, easier to modernize, and much safer to move forward with. With ARCAD, companies can finally leave Synon behind and prepare their systems for the future.

In this episode, Ray Bernardi welcomes Alan Ashley to explore how Discover is transforming the way teams understand and manage complex applications. Decades of development have left organizations with massive, intricate systems that are difficult to analyze and modernize. Discover changes that — using AI-powered automation to map, document, and visualize every dependency within your applications.Listeners will learn how Discover’s conversational AI, automated functional mapping, and deep database analysis make it easy for developers, business analysts, and IT leaders to explore their systems in natural language, identify obsolete or redundant components, and gain a complete understanding of data flows.With Discover, ARCAD brings clarity to complexity — empowering teams to modernize faster, improve governance, and make smarter decisions about their application landscape.

In this episode, Ray Bernardi hosts Alan Ashley and Jeff Tickner to explore the challenges and opportunities of concurrent development on IBM i. They explain how moving away from traditional monolithic workflows and adopting Git can transform collaboration, enabling multiple developers to work in parallel without conflict.Listeners will also hear how pull requests, merges, and automation streamline the DevOps workflow—helping teams detect issues earlier, improve code quality, and accelerate delivery. With Git and ARCAD, IBM i development becomes more transparent, reliable, and adaptable to modern practices.

In this episode, Ray Bernardi hosts Alan Ashley and Jeff Tickner to explore the latest DB2 database optimization enhancements in ARCAD’s V25 release. They share how these improvements streamline efficiency, from optimizing ALTER TABLE operations to managing SQL objects, physical and logical files, and complex dependencies like views, triggers, and constraints.Listeners will also hear how detailed logs, spool files, and execution metrics provide greater transparency, making it easier to plan and optimize deployments. These improvements make DB2 management faster, more reliable, and less dependent on manual intervention.

In this episode, Alan interviews Sébastien Julliand about the rise of VS Code in IBM i development. Sébastien shares his journey from the Merlin project to becoming a key contributor to open-source extensions like Code for IBM i, Skipper, and CodeChecker. They discuss how VS Code is modernizing the developer experience, enabling integration with Jenkins, unit testing, and even AI tools. Listeners will learn why VS Code is quickly becoming the go-to environment for IBM i developers.

In this episode, our experts explore common misconceptions about Git in the context of IBM i development. It highlights frequent misunderstandings—such as challenges with branching, collaboration, and tool integration—and clarifies how Git can fit naturally into traditional workflows. Listeners will gain practical insights to improve their development processes and unlock the full potential of Git within their organization.

In this Podcast, listen in as Arcad's Senior Solutions Architects introduce ARCAD Discover, the ultimate visualization tool for IBM i applications:Graphical insights: Instantly visualize applications, data flows & dependencies.AI-powered analysis: Ask questions in natural language & get clear explanations.Cross-team accessibility: RPG, Java developers & analysts gain instant understanding.Fast & easy: Web-based, no install, real-time updates from ARCAD repository.