One of the most difficult challenges in enterprise software development is modernization. Many organizations still rely on business-critical applications built using technologies such as RPG, COBOL, and IBM i, while simultaneously investing in modern Java-based architectures. Bridging those two worlds can be time-consuming, risky, and heavily dependent on a shrinking pool of specialists.
That's why this feedback from Joseph D'Onofrio, Director of IT at Wolff Bros, caught my attention.
"When IBM Bob is given an RPG program, Bob is able to help us modernize it into our new Java architecture quickly. IBM Bob reads and understands RPG code very well and was great for validating logic rewrites that have been done on multiple programs. It also adapted to our Java code architecture well, using predefined internal libraries and database connections."
What stands out here is that the value goes beyond code translation. Successful modernization requires preserving business logic while aligning with modern architectures, coding standards, frameworks, and internal development practices.
Many modernization projects struggle because understanding decades of accumulated business logic can be harder than implementing the target system itself. Having an AI assistant that can understand legacy RPG applications, validate logic rewrites, and adapt to an organization's existing Java architecture can significantly reduce that complexity.
As AI adoption matures, some of the biggest opportunities may come from helping enterprises modernize existing systems rather than simply generating new code. For organizations balancing innovation with operational continuity, that capability could be incredibly valuable.
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