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A Roundtable Discussion on Strategy, Concerns, and Practical Integration

APIs are now a critical part of modern application ecosystems—but for many IBM i teams, figuring out the right way to work with APIs raises more questions than answers.

Should you introduce new languages?
Rely on open source frameworks?
Or is there a way to modernize integrations while staying rooted in RPG?

To help IBM i professionals navigate these decisions, Kato Integrations is hosting an upcoming roundtable-style webinar focused on APIs on IBM i, bringing together real-world perspectives from:

• CDR Software
• Varsity Logistics
• Friedman Corporation
• Ziiware

This session is designed to be an open, peer-level discussion—not a sales pitch—covering common API concerns, practical options, and lessons learned from teams actively building and supporting IBM i integrations.

Why APIs Are a Hot Topic in the IBM i Community

IBM i systems continue to power mission-critical operations across manufacturing, distribution, logistics, healthcare, and beyond. At the same time, these systems are increasingly expected to connect with:

• Shipping and logistics providers
• ERP and WMS platforms
• SaaS applications
• Customers, partners, and external services

APIs make these connections possible—but choosing an approach isn’t always straightforward. IBM i teams often face constraints around staffing, security, maintainability, and long-term support.

This webinar aims to address those realities head-on.

What the Roundtable Will Cover

Rather than focusing on theory, the discussion centers on real-world experience. Topics include:

• Common concerns when introducing APIs into IBM i environments
• Different API integration approaches and their tradeoffs
• Security, SSL/TLS, authentication, and compliance considerations
• Long-term maintainability and support
• When it makes sense to stay in RPG—and when teams consider other options

Panelists from Friedman Corporation, Varsity Logistics, Ziiware and CDR Software will share insights based on what they see working (and not working) in production environments today.

A Technical Deep Dive: APIs Using 100% RPG

Following the roundtable discussion, the webinar will include a technical deep dive into RPG API Express (RXS)—an API toolkit built entirely in RPGLE for IBM i.

This portion of the session will demonstrate how IBM i teams can:

• Call and offer REST and SOAP APIs
• Build and parse JSON and XML directly in RPG
• Secure API communication using IBM i SSL/TLS
• Avoid introducing Java, Node.js, Python, or unsupported open-source dependencies

Attendees will also learn how many teams get started using a free Proof of Concept, allowing them to validate integrations and reduce risk before committing to a broader rollout.

Who Should Attend

This webinar is ideal for:

• RPG Developers building or maintaining integrations
• IT Managers responsible for IBM i architecture and delivery
• IT Directors evaluating API strategy and modernization paths

Whether you’re actively working on integrations or planning future initiatives, this session is designed to provide clarity and practical guidance.

Join the Conversation

If APIs are part of your IBM i roadmap—or already a source of complexity—this webinar offers a chance to hear from peers, ask questions, and explore realistic options.

👉 Register for the webinar here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1zcNULQHQmaw_1o9ClL9ug

We look forward to an engaging discussion and hope you’ll join us.