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How to Find the Right Cloud Partner for your IBM i System

Written by Blair Technology Solutions Inc. | Nov 13, 2024 3:40:59 PM

Recognized as one of the most reliable platforms worldwide, the IBM i system offers numerous pathways for migrating workloads to either public or private cloud environments. Yet, not all of these options may be suitable for your specific needs.  

To achieve long-term success in managing the IBM i system within your organization, it is essential to partner with a trusted and experienced provider. Such expertise is vital for ensuring effective and sustainable operations.  

There are three (3) imperative criteria to consider when your company chooses a cloud partner for your IBM i system: 

  1. Proven knowledge of IBM i system 
  2. Client experience 
  3. Additional capabilities 

Proven Knowledge to Handle Your Workloads 

Migrating an IBM i workloads to the cloud has become much more straightforward. Today, platforms like IBM, Google, and Azure offer support for these workloads. However, what clients truly need from a cloud provider is not just the ability to host an environment, but to manage it as a comprehensive, end-to-end service. 

Clients now seek an IT partner that can thoroughly evaluate their environment, offer tailored recommendations, and create cost-effective solutions with ongoing monthly value. Simply claiming to support IBM i is no longer sufficient—partners must demonstrate the expertise and resources necessary to meet specific client needs. Unfortunately, many leading cloud providers currently outsource these services, which can lead to complications. When issues arise, this approach often results in dealing with multiple vendors rather than receiving a quick, direct response to resolve problems. 

Blair Technology Solutions recently launched its Virtual Private Cloud solutions for IBM i systems which addresses most of the concerns around proven experience. Our team of 37 seasoned experts supports IBM i clients throughout North America and brings over 28 years of experience. We are fully equipped to handle even the most intricate workloads. 

Discover our Virtual Private Cloud solution for IBM i

Client Experience in Various Industries

Every IBM i environment is unique and critical to business operations. Migrating an IBM i workload to the cloud is a significant step that requires a partner with proven, multi-industry expertise to ensure a seamless transition. The ideal cloud provider should possess the technical proficiency and commercial acumen to optimize your IBM i investment. Prior experience with managing sensitive data is also essential, as well as demonstrating their ability to handle complex workloads responsibly. Blair Technology Solutions’s Virtual Private Cloud for IBM i systems serves a diverse client base, from small enterprises to large organizations, ensuring robust support and reliability. 

At Blair Technology Solutions, delivering comprehensive, end-to-end solutions is at the core of our expertise—from initial assessment and migration to timely, on-budget deployment and beyond. Our clients have complete peace of mind, knowing that their critical workloads are managed by experts dedicated to providing exceptional service. 

Read how agrifood leader Olymel propelled its operational efficiency with Blair Technologies Solutions

Additional Security Capabilities to Protect your Data 

No cloud offering company simply stops at supporting workloads: additional offerings and capabilities are essential to ensure your workloads are safe.  

From experience, our clients often struggle to keep up with the latest solutions or to justify their expenses in several data protection areas: 

  • Backup 
  • Disaster recovery (DR) 
  • Security 
  • High availability (HA) 
  • Compliance 
  • And more 

Blair Technology Solutions’s Virtual Private Cloud solution for IBM i systems is powered by our proprietary orchestration layer, Symphoni, which offers a broad range of services.  

Symphoni delivers a true hybrid cloud experience, enabling clients to benefit from features such as backup, financial operations (FinOps), high availability, connections to public clouds, and integration with other cloud applications. 

Learn more about Symphoni, the hybrid cloud management reinvented

In short

Choosing the right partner for IBM i to take you to the cloud is critical. By considering these 3 criteria, you will be able to find a partner to meet your IBM i needs: 

  • The cloud provider has a team of knowledgeable IBM i specialists, able to react quickly to any issue 
  • The IBM i partner has worked in several industries (sometimes with sensitive workloads) and has both a technical and business understanding of your objectives 
  • The IT firm offers many additional options to safeguard your workloads 

Blair Technology Solutions’s IBM i specialists are at your disposal to help you through your IBM i migration. Start your journey to innovation today! 

Contact us now!

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