IBM i Modernization in the Age of AI
| Date: | Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 | |
| Time: | Beginning Promptly at 6pm EST | |
| Speaker: | Richard Schoen, Mark Schweinhart, Alan Seiden and Laura Ubelhor | |
| Location: | Webinar only | |
| Notes: | Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/949159645You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 949-159-645 United States: +1 (646) 749-3129More phone numbers Canada: +1 (647) 497-9391 Germany: +49 721 9881 4161 Mexico: +52 55 1500 3597Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install |
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| Presentation: | IBM i Modernization in the Age of AI |
About the Presenter
About the Presenter:
Richard Scheon likes to eat new application development languages for breakfast. He thrives on leveraging new technologies to enhance his 30+ years of experience in software development, system integration, document management, and process automation.
His specialties span a myriad of languages, including PHP, Python, Node.js, Java, HTML, Javascript, RPG, CL, .Net (C#/VB), .Net Core, Mono, and more. His database experience is equally extensive. He works with IBM Db2, SQL Server (SSIS/SSRS), Oracle, MySql, MariaDb, Postgres, SQLite and other databases.
An active open source advocate, Richard has contributed several development projects to the IBM i community, including iForgit, ILEusion, and two libraries of wrappers to enable communication between Python or Mono and IBM i.
Richard’s cross-platform communication expertise spans web services, micro services, TCP/IP, queueing technologies, and other current methods.
Alan Seiden helps organizations enrich their IBM i applications with APIs, open source technologies, Db2 for i, and RPG business logic. He and his team provide large and small IT teams with strategic advice, hands-on development, and support.
Recognized as an IBM Champion, Alan cultivates a strong, resilient IBM i community by fostering new talent for IBM i as well as new open source options.
He mentors the next generation in extending the capabilities of the IBM i platform with their open source skills. He has also led the adoption of modern PHP with Seiden’s PHP+ and Smart Support; co-developed the popular PHP Toolkit with IBM; and was the first to offer full-stack support for PHP, Python, and Node.js on IBM i.
An award-winning speaker, Alan has been called “the performance guru of PHP on IBM i.” He shares his expertise regularly through his blog as well as at conferences and user groups such as COMMON PowerUp, MAGiC, the Northeast User Groups Conference, OCEAN, WMCPA, and COMMON Europe.
In his spare time, Alan plays the trombone and practices the Feldenkrais Method® of Somatic Education.
Laura Ubelhor is the founder and president of Consultech Services, Inc., a Michigan-based technology consulting firm specializing in IBM i application development, modernization, integration, and support. Since founding Consultech in 1992, she has worked with organizations across manufacturing, healthcare, government, finance, retail, and other industries, helping clients maximize the value of their IBM i investments through modern technologies and strategic consulting.
Laura has more than 30 years of experience in IBM i application development and modernization and is a recognized advocate for education and innovation within the IBM i community. She is an IBM Champion, a conference speaker, author of numerous technical articles, and the author of two MC Press books, including HTML for the Business Developer. She also contributed to the development of the COMMON RPG and Business Computing Professional and IBM i programming certification exams.
A long-time volunteer with COMMON, Laura serves as Vice President of the COMMON Education Foundation and has dedicated much of her career to expanding IBM i education, mentoring emerging professionals, and promoting workforce development. She is also President of the Southeast Michigan IBM i User Group (SEMIUG) and has served as the lead organizer of the annual MITEC conference for many years.
Laura is passionate about IBM i modernization, AI, application modernization, and developing the next generation of IBM i professionals. She regularly presents on topics including IBM i modernization strategies, AI, web technologies, application development, and emerging technologies that help organizations extend and enhance the value of their IBM i environments.
Mark Schweinhart is a senior IT consultant with more than 25 years of experience delivering technology solutions across manufacturing, distribution, retail, automotive, healthcare, and financial industries. His expertise spans systems analysis and design, application development, ERP implementations, EDI integration, operations management, and project leadership.
Throughout his career, Mark has led complex system conversions, developed custom business applications, and implemented innovative solutions for organizations ranging from manufacturing companies to healthcare providers. He has extensive experience with MAPICS (XA), Future 3, CMS (Epicor), JD Edwards, and EDI technologies, and has successfully designed systems for demand forecasting, inventory control, warranty claims processing, fraud detection, and order management.
Known for his ability to manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously, Mark combines strong technical expertise with practical business knowledge to help organizations improve efficiency, streamline operations, and achieve their strategic objectives.