AS/400 Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Real Numbers, Case Studies & Cost Drivers
What Is AS/400 Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)? AS/400 Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) refers to the complete long-term cost of running and maintaining an IBM i system, including hardware, software, licensing, staffing, maintenance, energy, upgrades, and operational overhead. AS/400 System Savings: Why the Old Workhorse Still Wins on Cost In 2026, many enterprises are re-evaluating legacy infrastructure costs. Surprisingly, when analyzed properly, AS/400 systems often deliver lower long-term TCO compared to cloud-only or full migration strategies. Understanding the real numbers behind AS/400 TCO is critical for CIOs and CFOs making modernization decisions. Why TCO Matters More Than Initial Cost Many organizations focus only on upfront expenses, such as: Hardware refresh Migration project cost Licensing fees However, TCO includes ongoing costs over 5–10 years. A low initial migration cost may lead to: Higher recurring cloud subscriptions Increased data transfer c...