Damco

AS/400 RPG development services that write every rule down RPG programmers who change your IBM i code safely, and leave it documented

Change 0417 · CTR100RIllustrated
ChangeCredit check before invoicing
Rule writtenIn plain language, named in the code
TestedAgainst 30 days of real orders
Signed byThe engineer who made it

IBM i RPG development, from small changes to new applications The RPG work your team can't get to, done so the next change is easier

Change and extend RPG programsNew rules, fields and screens in the programs your business runs on.
Build new IBM i applicationsIBM i application development in free-form RPGLE, SQL and modern tools.
Work in Synon CA 2ESynon CA 2E development and changes, by people who still know it.
Add RPG programmers to your teamiSeries developers who join your team for a project or for years.
Support third-party IBM i appsChanges and interfaces around the packages you bought for the IBM i.

How our RPG development works Five steps, from your requirements to changes that are tested and documented

  1. Week 1Assess requirementsWe read the programs involved and write down the rules they carry today.
  2. Week 2Agree the modelA fixed project, dedicated RPG programmers, or ongoing support.
  3. Each changeDevelop and codeEach change is written, named after the rule it serves, and reviewed by a second engineer.
  4. Before releaseTest and QAThe changed program runs on real records, and the results are compared.
  5. After releaseSupportWe watch the change in production and fix anything it disturbed.

When RPG development is the right call And when it's time to plan a move off the IBM i instead

A good fit when

  • The IBM i runs well, and the business needs changes to it
  • Your RPG programmers are retiring or overloaded
  • You plan to stay on the IBM i for years

Look elsewhere when

  • Every change is risky because nobody knows what the code does: document it first
  • You've decided to leave the platform: plan the migration
  • Other systems need its data: open it with APIs

Our AS/400 RPG development services in detail What each service covers, and what you have when it's done

RPG application development on IBM i

RPG still runs order entry, billing, inventory and claims at thousands of companies, because the IBM i rarely goes down. What's hard is changing it. 69% of IBM i teams name skills a top concern, up from 45% in 2020 (Fortra, 2026 IBM i Marketplace Survey).

Our RPG programmers write new programs and change existing ones in RPG IV and free-form RPGLE, with embedded SQL for data access, so the code is easier for the next person to read.

Every rule written down before the code changes

In most IBM i shops, the business rules live in the code and in two people's heads. Before we change a program, we write down the rules it carries in plain language, and name each change after the rule it serves.

Over time that becomes the documentation your system never had, and every change after it gets safer.

Synon CA 2E development

Many IBM i applications were generated with Synon, now CA 2E, and few developers still work in it. We make changes in the model, regenerate the RPG, and keep the model and the code in step.

iSeries software development and third-party app support

Many companies run packages on the IBM i, such as ERPs, warehouse systems and core insurance and banking systems, with local changes on top. We maintain those changes, build interfaces around the package, and help with upgrades so the changes survive them.

  • RPG, CL, COBOL and Db2 for i
  • Display files, printer files and menus
  • Interfaces through files, data queues and APIs

IBM i application maintenance and interface support

Beyond new work, we fix bugs, tune slow batch jobs and keep interfaces to other systems running. For a full support contract, see our AS/400 maintenance and support page.

Questions about AS/400 RPG development What IT leaders ask us before RPG work starts

How much does it cost to outsource iSeries software development?

It depends on the size of the work, how complex the programs are, and the team you need. A small change can be a few days. A new application is a project with a fixed price, quoted after we've read the code involved.

Do you support the code after development?

Yes. After release we watch the change in production, fix anything it disturbed, and can stay on for bug fixes, tuning and further changes.

Can I hire iSeries developers to augment my RPG team?

Yes. Our RPG programmers can join your team and work your way, to cover a skills gap, a busy period, or a colleague who's retiring.

How long does an RPG development project take?

A minor enhancement can take a couple of weeks. A large new application on the IBM i can take months. Reading and documenting the existing code first usually shortens the rest.

Can you join our ongoing RPG project?

Yes. We read the programs and the plan first, then add RPG programmers who can contribute from their first week.

Bring the RPG change nobody wants to touch

We'll read the programs it involves and tell you what the change would really take.