As organizations plan their IT strategies for 2025 and beyond, it’s important to consider the future of their IBM Power environments. While IBM Power9 systems remain supported, certain products have reached the end-of-sale stage. Businesses should evaluate their current workloads and plan for eventual upgrades or migrations to ensure they remain on modern, efficient platforms.
At the same time, the anticipated release of IBM Power11, expected in the second half of 2025, presents an exciting opportunity to modernize. For many, this juncture is also a chance to consider transitioning to the IBM Cloud on Power Virtual Server, where businesses can eliminate hardware upgrade cycles and unlock access to more than 220 integrated cloud services.
Why It’s Time to Start Planning
- Future-Proofing Workloads:
Power9 systems continue to perform reliably, but as hardware ages, planning for upgrades or migrations is essential to maintain performance, security, and operational efficiency.
- Prepare for Power11:
Although details about Power11 are limited, it is expected to build on Power10’s innovations with improved performance and scalability. For businesses that prefer on-premises infrastructure, planning for an eventual transition to Power11 ensures continuity and access to the latest capabilities.
- Leverage Cloud Advantages:
IBM Cloud on Power Virtual Server offers a compelling alternative to on-premises upgrades. By migrating workloads to the cloud, businesses can:
- Eliminate the need for future hardware refreshes.
- Scale resources dynamically to meet business demands.
- Take advantage of cloud-native tools and services, including advanced analytics, AI, and disaster recovery solutions.
Benefits of IBM Cloud for Power Workloads
- No More Hardware Cycles:
Migrating to IBM Cloud ensures your workloads always run on the latest infrastructure, eliminating the need for periodic hardware upgrades.
- Native Compatibility:
IBM Cloud on Power Virtual Server is optimized for IBM i, AIX, and Linux, providing a seamless transition for mission-critical workloads without requiring significant re-architecture.
- Scalability and Flexibility:
The cloud allows businesses to scale up or down as needed, ensuring they only pay for what they use while maintaining high performance.
- Enhanced Services:
By moving to IBM Cloud, businesses gain access to a suite of more than 220 integrated cloud services, including AI and data analytics, enabling innovation and operational improvements.
Planning with GlassHouse Systems: How We Can Help
At GlassHouse Systems, we specialize in guiding businesses through the complexities of planning and executing infrastructure upgrades or cloud migrations. Here’s how we can help:
- Evaluate Your Current Environment:
We assess your existing Power workloads to identify opportunities for optimization and modernization, whether on-premises or in the cloud.
- Build a Future-Ready Roadmap:
Our experts work with your team to develop a tailored plan for migrating to IBM Cloud or upgrading to Power10/11, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
- Execute Seamless Transitions:
Whether you’re moving to the cloud or upgrading on-premises systems, we manage the process end-to-end, leveraging best practices to deliver a smooth transition.
- Maximize Long-Term Value:
Post-migration, we help you optimize your environment to leverage cloud services or Power system capabilities fully, ensuring your IT infrastructure drives business growth.
Start Planning Today
As Power9 systems approach the end of their lifecycle and Power11 looms on the horizon, the time to evaluate your options is now. Whether you choose to upgrade on-premises or migrate to the cloud, GlassHouse Systems is your trusted partner for navigating the path forward. Let us help you future-proof your IT and unlock the full potential of your mission-critical workloads.
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