POWERUp 2026 Recordings | Part 1
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POWERUp 26 may be behind us, but there’s still plenty to gain from the session recordings. Whether you missed a session, want a refresher, or simply want to relive the experience, part one of the POWERUp sessions is now available to watch.
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You have a wealth of experience and expertise. Have you thought about sharing your know-how by speaking at COMMON? Speaking at COMMON is fun and a great way to get involved with other members as well as the organization at large. Come join this session to learn how to submit a session for speaking at a COMMON event along with tips and tricks for putting together a session abstract and learning objectives, what the overall process is once you have submitted a session, how to prepare for giving your presentation, and what speaker resources that are available to you.
You have a wealth of experience and expertise. Have you thought about sharing your know-how by speaking at COMMON? Speaking at COMMON is fun and a great way to get involved with other members as well as the organization at large. Come join this session to learn how to submit a session for speaking at a COMMON event along with tips and tricks for putting together a session abstract and learning objectives, what the overall process is once you have submitted a session, how to prepare for giving your presentation, and what speaker resources that are available to you.
Learning Objectives:
1) Understanding the process of submitting a session
2) Learning what you need to prepare to submit a session
3) Learning what resources are available to you as you prepare for speaking
4) Learning about the benefits of being a speaker at a COMMON event
$i++ ?>Kim Greene
President, Kim Greene Consulting, Inc.
Kim Greene is president of Kim Greene Consulting, Inc. specializing in providing consulting services for the IBM Collaboration Solutions portfolio for IBM i (formerly AS/400, iSeries, System i), Windows, and Linux. Kim has over 15 years of experience with IBM Domino and 20 years of experience with the AS/400, iSeries, and i5 platforms. Kim specializes in installing and configuring Domino, Sametime and Connections servers, providing performance analysis, system and application tuning, health checks and security reviews, upgrades and migrations, disaster recovery assessments, high availability solutions, and customized application development.
Kim is also expanding the business to include services related to the fastest growing NoSQL database, MongoDB. Areas of specialization include architecture, performance, and security in addition to skill transfer.
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The creation of indexes can have a positive impact on query performance. However, an index also has a cost since it has to be maintained every time rows in the associated table are inserted, deleted and updated. This session will the discuss indexing tradeoffs including the review of a benchmark test created to quantify the positive & negative impacts of indexes. In addition, you will learn about tooling that can be used to identify your most valuable and least valuable indexes.
The creation of indexes can have a positive impact on query performance. However, an index also has a cost since it has to be maintained every time rows in the associated table are inserted, deleted and updated. This session will the discuss indexing tradeoffs including the review of a benchmark test created to quantify the positive & negative impacts of indexes. In addition, you will learn about tooling that can be used to identify your most valuable and least valuable indexes.
Learning Objectives:
Understanding of index maintenance considerations.
Introduction to tools help you to determine the value of index.
$i++ ?>Kent Milligan
Senior Db2 for i Consultant
IBM
Kent Milligan is a Senior Db2 for i Consultant in IBM Technology Expert Labs. Kent has over 25 years of experience as a Db2 for IBM i consultant and developer working out of the IBM Rochester lab. Prior to re-joining the Db2 for i Expert Labs practice in 2020, Kent spent 5 years working on healthcare solutions powered by IBM Watson technologies. Kent is a sought-after speaker and author on Db2 for i & SQL topics including his Db2 for i blog.
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This session is a review of the newest and most awesome features added to the VS Code4i Database Extension. This is designed to be an interactive, with questions and comments from the attendees, so be ready to interact, cheer, jeer, or inspire us with your good ideas.
This session is a review of the newest and most awesome features added to the VS Code4i Database Extension. This is designed to be an interactive, with questions and comments from the attendees, so be ready to interact, cheer, jeer, or inspire us with your good ideas.
Learning Objectives:
1) Understand what's possible today with the VS Code4i Database Extension.
2) Understand when to use VS Code4i vs other tools
3) Interact with the VS Code4i Database Extension technology leaders
$i++ ?>Sanjula Ganepola
Software Developer - IBM i App Dev & AI Toolchain
IBM
$i++ ?>Scott Forstie
Db2 for i Business Architect
Scott Forstie is a Senior Technical Staff Member within IBM i development and spends most of his time working as the Db2 for i Business Architect. He has worked on IBM operating system development since joining IBM in 1989.
Scott is a frequently published author, speaker at industry events around the globe and can be found @Forstie_IBMi and forstie@us.ibm.com. Scott is an avid runner and enjoys cooking.
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IBM i has long been the backbone of mission-critical enterprise workloads, prized for its reliability, security, and integrated database. But as AI evolves beyond simple chat interfaces into autonomous, action-taking agents, the IBM i ecosystem stands at an inflection point. AI agents can now reason, plan, and execute multi-step tasks. Imagine the power when married to a platform with decades of business logic and operational knowledge! This session explores the convergence of agentic AI and IBM i, covering the emerging architecture patterns that allow AI agents to interact directly with IBM i systems. Among other things, we will examine the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that gives AI agents a structured way to discover and invoke tools, query databases, and interact with system resources. Plus, we'll give a sneak peek of some exciting offerings that may be coming in the near future!
IBM i has long been the backbone of mission-critical enterprise workloads, prized for its reliability, security, and integrated database. But as AI evolves beyond simple chat interfaces into autonomous, action-taking agents, the IBM i ecosystem stands at an inflection point. AI agents can now reason, plan, and execute multi-step tasks. Imagine the power when married to a platform with decades of business logic and operational knowledge! This session explores the convergence of agentic AI and IBM i, covering the emerging architecture patterns that allow AI agents to interact directly with IBM i systems. Among other things, we will examine the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that gives AI agents a structured way to discover and invoke tools, query databases, and interact with system resources. Plus, we'll give a sneak peek of some exciting offerings that may be coming in the near future!
$i++ ?>Jesse Gorzinski
Senior Business Architect - Open Source Software on IBM i
IBM
Jesse Gorzinski works for the IBM i development lab in Rochester, MN. He is the Business Architect of open source technologies. Jesse, who was doing RPG programming at the age of 18, is an expert on application development on IBM i, as well as system access and modernization. His hobbies include playing with his dog, replacing complex applications with 5-line Python programs, and advocating for the use of new technologies on IBM i!Prior to his 2006 employment at IBM, Jesse worked with the AS/400 as an I/T administrator for an IBM customer in the finance/mortgage industry, where he specialized in data backup/recovery, process optimization, and information integrity. He has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science as well as a Master of Business Administration degree
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IBM i has been the backbone of enterprise stability, but shifting expectations now demand more. IT modernization has become a strategic priority, driving efficiency, innovation, and enhanced customer experiences. In the next two years, 25–30% of IT budgets will focus on AI readiness, cybersecurity, automation, and data optimization. For IBM i teams, this is both a challenge and an opportunity to turn barriers like legacy complexity and siloed data into catalysts for growth and innovation. In this keynote, Rashmi Agrawal, VP of Engineering at Rocket Software, will reframe IBM i not as a legacy constraint but as a strategic advantage. With the right modernization roadmap—spanning applications, data, infrastructure, and security—IBM i teams can accelerate digital transformation, enable AI initiatives, and deliver measurable business outcomes that resonate with the C-suite.
IBM i has been the backbone of enterprise stability, but shifting expectations now demand more. IT modernization has become a strategic priority, driving efficiency, innovation, and enhanced customer experiences. In the next two years, 25–30% of IT budgets will focus on AI readiness, cybersecurity, automation, and data optimization. For IBM i teams, this is both a challenge and an opportunity to turn barriers like legacy complexity and siloed data into catalysts for growth and innovation. In this keynote, Rashmi Agrawal, VP of Engineering at Rocket Software, will reframe IBM i not as a legacy constraint but as a strategic advantage. With the right modernization roadmap—spanning applications, data, infrastructure, and security—IBM i teams can accelerate digital transformation, enable AI initiatives, and deliver measurable business outcomes that resonate with the C-suite.
In this session, you’ll discover:
- How AI enhances human-driven decision-making in workload modernization. With 54% of enterprises expecting AI-assisted migration and optimization, IBM i teams can leverage AI to augment—not replace—human expertise.
- Why modernization maturity drives business performance. Modernization leaders report significantly higher gains in efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction, proving the direct correlation between IT transformation and business success.
- What RPG, COBOL, and CL developers need to prepare for. From data quality and integration to AI-augmented coding and secure-by-design practices, developers must evolve their skills to meet new demands. AI-assisted development, testing, and infrastructure readiness will be critical.
- How technical leaders can overcome modernization blockers. Learn strategies to address data silos, compliance complexity, and talent gaps while preserving the resilience and reliability that make IBM i indispensable.
Join us to discover how to transform your IBM i environment into an AI-ready, modernization-driven foundation for the next decade of innovation.
$i++ ?>Rashmi Agrawal
Vice President – Engineering, App Mod Vice President – Engineering, App Mod
Rocket Software
Rashmi is a highly accomplished Global R&D leader with 26 years of experience driving product innovation and execution at enterprise-grade companies like IBM, Dell/EMC, and Rocket Software. Her expertise spans a wide range of products, including datacenter, cloud, AI, storage, developer efficiency, supply management, and application solutions.
While at IBM, she led areas of IBM SONAS and System Director products (For System X and Power) and IBM Dynix/ptx Operating Systems. She moved on to work on Isilon OneFS solution at Dell EMC responsible for cloud enablement. At Rocket Software, she is responsible for Rocket iCluster (HA/DR), Rocket DevOps, Rocket MXWeb (Modernization of Web), Rocket API and Rocket Process Insights along with some other non-IBM i products. As we are building these products, we are infusing various aspects of Security, Cloud and AI into our products along with other performance and feature related development.
Adept at taking next-generation products from concept to go-to-market, Rashmi has a proven track record of building and leading world-class, geographically dispersed teams (US, China, Netherlands, Germany, UK, India). She is passionate about building strong teams through hiring, coaching, and mentorship, empowering individuals to reach their full potential.$i++ ?>Jeroen van Dun
Senior Manager, Product Management
Rocket Software
Jeroen van Dun is a Senior Manager, Product Management at Rocket Software. Jeroen has more than 20 years of experience in product management and software development. He has lead R&D teams developing SOA, APIs, and mobile, with a focus on IBM i. In his current role, Jeroen leads the team responsible for research of new technologies and product design and development for Rocket Software’s IBM i Solutions. Jeroen has a Computer Science degree from Avans Hogeschool Breda in The Netherlands.
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IBM Bob is an AI-powered development partner for IBM i. Your IBM i runs everything. Bob helps you run faster. Bob accelerates initiatives that traditionally take months like converting fixed-format RPG to free-form, migrating DDS to SQL DDL, refactoring monolithic programs into modular services, and generating comprehensive documentation and tests. Bob bridges the skills gap and ensures the long-term viability of IBM i investments through intelligent, incremental modernization that preserves decades of business logic. The next era of IBM i development starts now.
IBM Bob is an AI-powered development partner for IBM i. Your IBM i runs everything. Bob helps you run faster. Bob accelerates initiatives that traditionally take months like converting fixed-format RPG to free-form, migrating DDS to SQL DDL, refactoring monolithic programs into modular services, and generating comprehensive documentation and tests. Bob bridges the skills gap and ensures the long-term viability of IBM i investments through intelligent, incremental modernization that preserves decades of business logic. The next era of IBM i development starts now.
$i++ ?>Tim Rowe
Business Architect Application Development & Systems Management for IBM i
Tim Rowe is the Business Architect for IBM i responsible for System Management and Application Development. He has a passion for modernization on IBM i and how we can continue to move IBM i into the world of 'Normal' . In his spare time he is a certified Soccer referee and enjoys refereeing games with his youngest son.
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This opening session was recorded at POWERUp 2026 and goes over upcoming updates for COMMON as well as the IBM i platform as a whole. This session includes a session from Hillery Hunter, IBM i: Your most strategic AI Platform.
This opening session was recorded at POWERUp 2026 and goes over upcoming updates for COMMON as well as the IBM i platform as a whole. This session includes a session from Hillery Hunter, IBM i: Your most strategic AI Platform.
$i++ ?>Floyd Del Muro
Director, Business Development at Seneca Global
With 31 years of experience on the IBM midrange platform, Floyd is Director, Business Development for the SenecaGlobal group. In his role at SenecaGlobal, Floyd has been extensively involved in the management of DevOps , Enterprise Modernization and refactoring projects on IBM i, from planning stages through to delivery. His expertise in hybrid application development both native and Cloud makes him a trusted advisor for companies in project rollout, managed services and the introduction of agile methods. Floyd is a trusted global speaker on the subjects of DevOps, Release Management, Modernization, Version Control and BI.
$i++ ?>Steve Bradshaw
Friendly Techie
RowtonIT.com
My latest work as the Friendly Techie, includes assisting IBM i with the design and testing with IBM i 7.6 as both Beta Tester and Redbook Author, and as assistant in the design and testing of the new IBM i Migrate While Active tool and the AI based RPG Code Assistant.
I have worked in the IBM Business Partner world for over thirty years now and despite IBM's best attempts I still love them ;-) My career started as an RPG developer but for the last twenty years I have specialised in System Design, installation and management. In 2008 I founded my own company (Rowton) and now I and my team spend my time supporting clients or designing new IT solutions using a combination of Power servers, Intel and storage with a little extra cloud magic where it's needed.
When I'm not looking after my own clients, I help run the UK's largest IBM i User Group the i-UG and also serve on the Common Europe Advisory Council (CEAC) to help IBM shape the future of IBM i. In 2019, IBM made me an IBM Champion in recognition of the work I have done to help and evangelise the IBM i platform, Happy Days :-)
I have a love of teaching IBM i and have spent over a decade volunteering to teach at IBM i events around the world, in more recent times I have been creating my online webinars. I am a firm believer that the more I teach, the more I learn.$i++ ?>Jack Woehr
Senior Engineer, Absolute Performance, Inc.
$i++ ?>Hillery Hunter
General Manager IBM Power
IBM
Hillery is the General Manager for IBM Power and serves as IBM Infrastructure CTO. In this role, she is focused on setting the global strategy for both Power and Infrastructure Platform in addition to driving cross-functional innovation and growth across IBM's Infrastructure portfolio which includes IBM zSystems, Power, Storage, TLS and IBM Cloud.
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OAuth is a critical security framework for modern web and mobile applications, enabling secure access to resources without sharing user credentials. We will start with the history, foundational concepts and terminology of OAuth. We then describe the different types of OAuth clients and the appropriate authorization flows, grant types, and scopes. We will explore the different types of tokens, explain JWTs, and introduce OpenID Connect. Whether you're a developer, security professional, or someone looking to understand OAuth in more depth, this session will provide a solid introduction to one of the most essential standards in the world of secure authentication and authorization.
OAuth is a critical security framework for modern web and mobile applications, enabling secure access to resources without sharing user credentials. We will start with the history, foundational concepts and terminology of OAuth. We then describe the different types of OAuth clients and the appropriate authorization flows, grant types, and scopes. We will explore the different types of tokens, explain JWTs, and introduce OpenID Connect. Whether you're a developer, security professional, or someone looking to understand OAuth in more depth, this session will provide a solid introduction to one of the most essential standards in the world of secure authentication and authorization.
Learning Objectives:
1. The need/history of OAuth2. Terminology
3. Client types
4. Authorization flows
5. Tokens
$i++ ?>Patrick Behr
Patrick Behr has been working on IBM i and its predecessors for 20 years, with a focus on RPG and DB2. Patrick has worked for large retail companies like Costco and Starbucks, manufacturing companies, small businesses and the government.
Patrick lives with his wife in Southern California and enjoys the many outdoor activities that the area affords, including kayaking, rock climbing and surfing. He and his wife also volunteer for local animal rescues and have fostered more than 700 dogs so far.
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Accessing business logic from Open Source application and off platform has evolved a great deal over the years. In this session we’ll look at some of the reasons for centralizing this business logic in the database via Db2 Stored procedures. We’ll look at RPG and SQL procedures and work through examples of how these are used from exhibit languages like PHP and Python.
Accessing business logic from Open Source application and off platform has evolved a great deal over the years. In this session we’ll look at some of the reasons for centralizing this business logic in the database via Db2 Stored procedures. We’ll look at RPG and SQL procedures and work through examples of how these are used from exhibit languages like PHP and Python.
Learning Objectives:
1) Learn how to create and execute stored procedures in SQL and HLL (RPG).2) See examples of how to use Db2 Stored Procedures in OSS languages.
3) Review tips and best practices when working with Db2 Stored Procedures.
$i++ ?>Mike Pavlak
Perforce Software
Mike Pavlak has been working with IBM midrange solutions since 1992 and IBM Mainframes before that. After years of developing applications using RPG, CL and PHP he managed IT development and IT for power protection manufacturer Tripp Lite. Later Mike was instrumental in developing the adoption of PHP as a primary solution for web development on IBM i working with Zend Technologies. Today, as Solutions Engineer with Perforce, Mike helps companies around the world approach the challenges of modernization and open source technologies. In addition to several roles as a volunteer with COMMON the premier IBM midrange user group, Mike also teaches PHP & Python classes part time at Moraine Valley Community College in Suburban Chicago. Mike lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, five kids, dog, cat, Russian tortoise, and a half dozen fish.
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Introductory and survey level discussion that looks at the installation of the Open Source solutions on IBM i. We'll also review many of the components available via open source and discuss the PASE environment. If you've been on the outside looking in at Open Source, this is the place to start..
Introductory and survey level discussion that looks at the installation of the Open Source solutions on IBM i. We'll also review many of the components available via open source and discuss the PASE environment. If you've been on the outside looking in at Open Source, this is the place to start..
Learning Objectives:
1) Understand how to install open source solution on IBM i.2) PASE basic understanding
3) Explore the solution in the open source packages
$i++ ?>Mike Pavlak
Perforce Software
Mike Pavlak has been working with IBM midrange solutions since 1992 and IBM Mainframes before that. After years of developing applications using RPG, CL and PHP he managed IT development and IT for power protection manufacturer Tripp Lite. Later Mike was instrumental in developing the adoption of PHP as a primary solution for web development on IBM i working with Zend Technologies. Today, as Solutions Engineer with Perforce, Mike helps companies around the world approach the challenges of modernization and open source technologies. In addition to several roles as a volunteer with COMMON the premier IBM midrange user group, Mike also teaches PHP & Python classes part time at Moraine Valley Community College in Suburban Chicago. Mike lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, five kids, dog, cat, Russian tortoise, and a half dozen fish.