Topic: IBM i Modernization in the Age of AI
| Date: | Tuesday June 30, 2026 |     |
| Time: | Beginning promptly at 6pm EST | |
| Location: | Webinar Only | |
| Speaker: | Richard Schoen, Mark Schweinhart, Alan Seiden and Laura Ubelhor | |
| 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 |
|
| Presentation: |
IBM i Modernization in the Age of AI | |
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.
AI for IBM i Presentations
IBM i Project BOB
How to Build an Agent for IBM i
IBM i in 2026 Collaborative Strategy in the Era of AI
MCP server for IBM i
From the President
Dear Members:
Can you believe it is already February. We’re very excited to be offering a great event for February. AI is the latest buzz and for good reason. Ai is here and is being rolled out at lightening speed. Some are embracing AI full throttle while others are skeptical and unsure about AI. It’s here and already being used by many organizations. IBM has put forth a lot of effort to be a leader in AI. The tools we use on the IBM i platform for organization IT support are evolving and changing. The tools are sure to make developers and other IT staff more productive. The intent is not to replace jobs but instead to make support teams more powerful. Making the choice to ignore the AI revolution isn’t a practical choice. The best course is to learn everything that you can, so you can understand and make good decisions on how it will fit within your IT support offerings.
There is still time to register for our exciting upcoming event at Shoolcraft Vistatech. It’s an all star line up with Steve Will, Edmund Rheinhardt and Adam Shedivy from IBM presenting AI on i. The event will be held at Schoolcraft Vistatech Center located in Livonia Michigan. The event presentations will begin at 9 am and end at 4 pm. We’ll have a quick vendor raffle at the end of the event. For the very low price of $60 you’ll be provided lunch and beverages throughout the day. Great presenters, great topic, great location = great event.
We’ll look forward to seeing you there!
Thanks to our board volunteers Laura, Jacob, Megan, Doug, Christan, Josh and Sophia for your efforts to put on the event.
We have Power 11/7.6 announcements planned for March presented by Richie Palma. Stay tuned for details. The meeting will be presented virtually. Power 11 and 7.6 offer significant strides. You can look forward to this informative topic in March. Details will be posted soon.
If you haven’t already done so please pay your dues. Our dues are the same low rate they have been for many years $100 per organization and $50 per individual member. Dues help us continue to bring world class education, opportunities to interact and connect with like colleagues within the community and much more.
We look forward to seeing you at upcoming SEMIUG events and activities. Happy Valentine Day.
Regards,
Laura
President, Southeast Michigan iSeries User Group
Phone: 248-701-7410
Email: ubelhor@sbcglobal.net
www.consultechservicesinc.com
Don’t Forget To Pay Your Dues
The Largest IBM i Community Event in the World!
The Four Hundred
Power Systems & IBM i Insight
IT Jungle Article By: Mike Larson
Eye on the i
June 2024 Edition
IBM i Reference Pages Blog
Tons of IBM i freeware / shareware on the IBM i Reference Pages Blog
December’s Eye on the i
The anticipation is over! The December edition of Eye on the i, COMMON‘s insightful e-magazine, has arrived, packed with peer-written articles that delve deep into the ever-evolving realm of IT and Power Systems.
December 2023 Edition
Incredible i Show Podcast
Come and join host Peg Tuttle as she engages in conversations with IBM i enthusiasts and experts. Tune in to discussions with innovators, leading minds, and regular users, as they share insights into their experiences with this beloved IT system. Gain valuable insights into the ways they operate the i within their environments and the remarkable achievements this robust platform has unlocked for their businesses.