Every IT department has its legends - those platforms that “never fail,” “never get hacked,” and “just work.” For one passionate IT manager, that legend is IBM i.

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In the recording, he described IBM i as the “best-kept secret in the world” - so powerful, so secure, and so reliable that he almost hopes competitors never find out about it. According to him, this platform runs forever, is practically immune to viruses, and is supported by a secret society of grey-haired wizards who speak in acronyms.

But is he right? Let’s break down his claims, verify what’s true, debunk a few myths, and have a little fun along the way.

1. “IBM i Is the Best-Kept Secret in IT”

“IBM i… the best-kept secret in the world. And I like it that way.”

IBM i does have a reputation as the quiet powerhouse of enterprise computing. Since its launch in 1988 as the AS/400, it’s evolved without much public fanfare. IBM rarely markets it aggressively, and its name changes over the decades haven’t helped:

• System/38 → AS/400 → iSeries → System i → IBM i

By the time people catch up with the name, IBM changes it again - like a celebrity going into witness protection.

Verdict: Mostly true

IBM doesn’t exactly “hide” IBM i, but its low-profile marketing and multiple rebrandings make it feel like an insider’s secret.

2. “It Runs Forever - Like an Old Tractor”

“Just like an old tractor, it runs and runs - and no task is too big.”

This isn’t just nostalgia. Thanks to a clever architectural decision called Technology Independent Machine Interface (TIMI), IBM i applications compiled decades ago can run on today’s Power11 servers without recompilation.

Real-world examples:

• Companies still run 1980s RPG and COBOL code on modern IBM i systems.

• Databases created in the late ’70s? Still operational.

Verdict: True

Few platforms offer this level of forward compatibility. You can’t say the same for most Windows or Linux environments.

3. “No Downtime. Hack-Free. Virus-Proof.”

These claims deserve closer inspection:

• No downtime: Mostly true - IBM i systems can achieve 99.999% uptime when clustered with PowerHA or Geographically Dispersed Resiliency features. Downtime usually stems from human error, not the platform.

• Hack-free: Myth - No system is unhackable. IBM i is less targeted because it’s niche, but misconfigured systems can be compromised.

• Virus-resistant: True-ish - IBM i’s architecture and integrated database make it less vulnerable to common malware. However, it can still pass infected files stored on the system.

• Disaster recovery built-in: True - IBM i ships with advanced DR capabilities like PowerHA and logical replication.

Verdict: Partly true

IBM i is extremely secure and reliable, but not invincible.

4. The “Secret” IBM i Community: COMMON

“They also have a secret community called COMMON… try Googling that!”

It’s real - but not as shadowy as he makes it sound.

• COMMON is a worldwide IBM i user group founded in 1960.

• It hosts annual conferences, training events, and networking sessions.

• And yes, many attendees have “earned” their grey hair after decades of keeping legacy apps alive.

Verdict: True

COMMON is more LinkedIn than Illuminati, but it does play a critical role in knowledge sharing.

5. “The Same Programs From the ’80s Still Run Today”

“The programs and databases are still the same - never recompiled, still working.”

This is the single most magical feature of IBM i. Thanks to TIMI and an integrated Db2 database, you can:

• Run RPG code written in 1985 on Power11 hardware.

• Migrate hardware without rewriting applications.

• Leverage modern virtualization while keeping ancient business logic intact.

Verdict: Absolutely true

This backward compatibility is a huge reason why IBM i still has a devoted following.

6. “IBM Power Chips Are the Secret Sauce”

“Google found out about Power9 and ordered everything. We had to wait months!”

This one has a kernel of truth wrapped in a conspiracy theory:

• Fact: Google collaborated with IBM on Power9 server designs through the OpenPOWER Foundation.

• Fact: Google pre-ordered significant quantities of Power9 systems for its AI workloads.

• Effect: Some IBM i customers faced temporary delays in getting new hardware.

• Myth: There wasn’t a “leak” - Google was an official partner.

Verdict: Partly true

Yes, Google purchased a significant amount of Power9 hardware early. No, it wasn’t sabotage.

7. Ease of Use and “Citizen Developers”

“I moved from the warehouse to IT because it was so easy to learn.”

In the early days, IBM i’s integrated tools, menu-driven interface, and RPG programming language made it accessible to non-developers. Many IBM i developers began their careers as Warehouse staff, Accountants, and Administrators.

They learned to build tailor-made systems that became deeply embedded in business processes - which is why replacing IBM i apps today can be very costly and complex.

Verdict: True

IBM i pioneered “low-code development” before the term even existed.

8. “IBM i Has the Best Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)”

This one’s more nuanced:

• Upfront licensing can be expensive.

• But IBM i systems typically last longer than x86 servers - often 10+ years.

• Built-in features like Db2, job scheduling, virtualization, and security reduce third-party costs.

• Fewer security breaches mean fewer incident costs.

Verdict: Mostly true

IBM i’s long lifecycle and integration make it cost-efficient in the long run.

Conclusion

Our enthusiastic IT manager isn’t wrong: IBM i is one of the most reliable, secure, and long-lived enterprise platforms ever built. But some of his claims - like being hack-proof or IBM intentionally “faking its death” - are a bit exaggerated.

IBM i’s real strength lies in:

• Decades-long application compatibility

• Enterprise-grade reliability

• Integrated security and database features

• A loyal, global user community

It’s not magic, but for those who depend on it, it might as well be.

Final Thought

IBM i is like that old family Volvo:

• It’s built like a tank.

• It keeps running while everything else breaks.

• And while the neighbors mock its dated design, secretly… they wish they had one.

So maybe the IT manager is right after all: The less your competitors know, the better.