Navigating the Future: IBM i Integration from Ground to Cloud As the IT landscape rapidly evolves towards a cloud-first approach, with a strong emphasis on security and platform hardening, the integration of IBM i with cloud services is more critical than ever. This keynote will provide attendees with valuable insights and practical steps for effectively navigating this complex integration. The presentation will cover: Industry Trends: An exploration of the shift towards cloud-first strategies, the increasing importance of security, and the hardening of IT platforms. IBM Power Options: A review of various pathways for advancing IBM Power from on-premise solutions to cloud environments. Mid-Range Cloud Roadmap: An overview of Mid-Range's strategic cloud roadmap, including key milestones and gates in the integration process. Transition Considerations: An examination of the critical factors for moving from current to future states, focusing on technical and organizational aspects. Migration Process: Insights into the migration process—who is involved, when it should take place, and key considerations for a successful transition. Protection and Recovery: A discussion on high availability, backup, and recovery (both traditional and cloud-based), featuring 2-3 anonymous examples of best practices. The keynote will also address the realities of recovering from ransomware attacks and share internal strategies Mid-Range has implemented. This presentation aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and strategies needed to effectively integrate IBM i with cloud services and protect their systems against emerging threats.