In April 2025 IBM released IBM i 7.6. As expected, the company has now confirmed the lifecycle changes for the older IBM i 7.4 release.
The announcement sets out clear dates for the end of marketing and the change in service level for IBM i 7.4, along with the end of support for Db2 Web Query for i. For many organisations this may feel like a distant concern, but the reality is that these milestones will arrive faster than you think.
At Recarta we see this as more than a technical update. It is a chance for businesses to make strategic improvements and future proof their core systems.
Why this matters
The real reason this announcement matters is not simply the dates themselves but what they mean for your business.
- Timing
The deadlines may look far away, but enterprise upgrades often take months or years to plan, test and deliver. Waiting until 2026 will leave businesses under pressure, facing rushed projects and unplanned downtime.
- Costs
From September 2026, IBM i 7.4 will move to extended support. This is more expensive than standard cover yet provides a lower level of service. Remaining on 7.4 will increase costs without delivering equivalent value.
- Strategic opportunity
This is not just about avoiding expense. Upgrading gives you the chance to modernise, improve resilience and unlock new features in IBM i 7.5 and 7.6. It is a rare opportunity to strengthen your IT roadmap rather than simply react to change.
Here are the key dates to keep in mind:
- 30 April 2026 – End of Marketing
New subscriptions and licences for IBM i 7.4 and associated Licensed Program Products will no longer be available.
- 30 September 2026 – Change of Service Level
IBM i 7.4 will move from standard service to extended service. This will bring higher costs and reduced levels of support.
- 31 December 2026 – End of Support for Db2 Web Query for i
This product will reach full end of support. Customers using it will need to identify and adopt alternative reporting and analytics tools.
What you can do now
These changes present an opportunity to take control and plan ahead. By acting now you can:
- Assess your current IBM i environment and its dependencies
- Plan a smooth migration path to IBM i 7.5 or 7.6
- Evaluate alternatives for Db2 Web Query for i
- Improve security, performance and resilience through modernisation
- Spread investment over time rather than facing last minute costs
Why Recarta is the right partner
Recarta has more than 20 years of experience in supporting business critical IBM environments.
We provide:
- Expertise in IBM licensing and support renewals
- Managed services including IaaS, disaster recovery, high availability and remote monitoring
- Strong governance and security as an ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certified and CEP accredited partner
- A proven track record in IBM i migrations with feedback such as:
“Recarta’s team has given us full support in our IBM i migration. The whole process was transparent and painless from the start.”
Next steps
The sooner you plan your upgrade, the more options you have and the smoother the journey will be. Speak to Recarta today to start planning your IBM i future.
