The AS/400 system dates back decades to an earlier generation of computing. Having everything in the same machine was a big deal back in the day. As many of the applications are still based on text mode, the old-fashioned “interface” goes from being not incredibly appealing to being harder to use than other modern, cloud-based systems in the market.

The IBM AS / 400 computer, introduced in the late 1980s and renamed the iSeries 400 in 2000, is a complex system that, in many cases, requires full-time system administration. It also needs specialists to manage security, databases, and software.

This “living dinosaur” is still being used by some companies and industry sectors. The operating system on the AS/400, originally named OS/400, has been renamed several times from i/OS to IBM i. The AS/400 runs a variant of UNIX called AIX, as well as several other operating systems. Applications are developed using RPG or Java. Besides, maintaining an IT department specialized in AS/400 has a high cost, and it is increasingly difficult to find specialized technicians nowadays.

The AS/400 has a DOS-like interface and is not user-friendly: it requires people who know how to program it and people that know how to use it. Each day, AS/400 has less maintenance from the manufacturer, which means the support to assist companies using this system is uncertain. 

Certainly, the AS/400 system has become obsolete and does not allow companies to work efficiently and productively according to the needs of this digital era. If that’s the case, why are businesses still using it? It’s not just a matter of nostalgia.

Despite the issues, there are some companies that still use legacy solutions such as AS /400 because it has proven to be reliable during a long period of time. Some executives may be reluctant about replacing it with a modern system because they fear that the costs of switching could be quite high. 

However, with the digitalization of business processes, and an increasingly sophisticated demand from consumers, companies require a platform that helps understand and even predict customer behavior. Companies need to be at the top of their game transforming themselves in a customer-centered business to remain competitive. 

Having access to real-time data has never been more important in order to understand customer needs and assess KPI’s. Keep in mind that with Industry 4.0 technologies, customers are better informed and more demanding. They know what to look for in a product and also don’t want to wait around to get it. A legacy ERP system on its own won’t do the trick anymore as technology becomes more advanced. So it’s time to move on.

Gartner predicts that by 2021, CRM technology will be the single largest revenue area of spending on enterprise software. 

Using a powerful customer relationship management platform such as Salesforce is an excellent way to get a closer view of the customer. But what happens when companies work with both AS/400 and Salesforce separately? It seems like a step back on efficiency. 

How much time have you spent trying to fix issues of your legacy ERP system? How much money have you lost making your business decisions on inaccurate data? Salesforce integration is an important part of a business modernization strategy.

Not willing to let go of your legacy system that has stored years of valuable information? Then you need to start thinking about merging AS/400 data into Salesforce to provide a complete report of sales. Is it possible for an obsolete system to work with a CRM? Yes, and you can trust Commercient SYNC to integrate it for you.

The key is to have a clear and structured functional procedure for each migration process. That is where Commercient comes to your help. Your company will no longer need to switch between AS /400 and Salesforce to gather important client information. 

A powerful data integration app like Commercient SYNC, which synchronizes your ERP and CRM, is one of the main implementers of the Salesforce solution and has proven experience in the migration of AS/400 systems. You can view sales history, inventory, and do wonders for your sales forecasting once you integrate your legacy system with Salesforce.

Commercient SYNC can help your business save time and get organized because it abstracts all complexities and takes care of the integration for you. Knowledge of AS/400 programming languages such as RPG is no longer needed. Forget about tedious workflows. Commercient makes integration simpler so you can focus on boosting sales.

Benefits of integrating AS/400 and Salesforce

Once you understand the importance of providing a stellar customer experience you’ll be ready to move on to a Salesforce integration as a key component of a modernization strategy. Here are some benefits of doing so:

• Integrating AS/400 with Salesforce will lead you to a more predictive and personalized customer information in all areas of your business. More accurate and easy report creating that will show you a 360-degree view of sales and assist in eliminating manual processes that are prone to human error once you stop sorting reports.
• Reduce costs and effectively grow client relationships. Customer engagement should be one of your top priorities . Working  from the Salesforce integration solution makes it easier to gather historical information from clients and alsol helps you close more deals. Integrating AS / 400 allows you to use resources and money dedicated to your former IT department to other aspects that will help your business grow.
• Increase productivity. Integrating your legacy system with a powerful CRM will enhance your company’s productivity. You won’t have to worry about manual data entry or the time it takes to look up information, for example. 
• Combine industry 4.0 technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). The first step of implementing new technology is to integrate all the data you already have.  Don’t hesitate about taking one step closer to technology. Integrating AI technology into your organization’s CRM can automate tasks like pulling customer reports, emails, data capturing, and more. This helps you avoid the risk of human errors in your day-to-day business processes and administrative duties.

Industry 4.0 has quickly forced companies to keep innovating. Choosing the right ERP and CRM integration should be the main objective of your sales strategy. Your legacy system should not be an obstacle. At Commercient, we have successfully integrated AS/400 with Salesforce in several different scenarios.

In an environment of constant change, with an increasingly sophisticated demand from customers, businesses need a technological platform that gives the company and its suppliers greater flexibility to introduce new business processes. If you are not ready to fully replace that old AS/400, but want the advantages of a Salesforce platform, integration is your answer.

Let Commercient provide experience and knowledge about the best solution to easily combine your legacy system with Salesforce to transform the way you do business. Don’t get caught up in the past: consumers’ needs have evolved and so should you. Ready to take your company to the next level? Contact us now and let’s discuss your AS/400 and Salesforce integration needs.