AS400 software for accounting, payroll and operations
Keep IBM i at the center of your business. Add the application you need now, integrate it with existing software or combine CSS modules into a complete system.
AS400, AS/400, iSeries and IBM i
Many businesses still use the familiar AS400 or AS/400 name for IBM's dependable midrange platform. The platform was later known as iSeries and is now called IBM i. CSS develops and supports practical business applications for organizations that continue to rely on this environment.
When companies search for “AS400 software,” they may be looking for several different things: the IBM i operating system, development and administration tools, or business applications that run on IBM i. CSS focuses on the third category—application software used to manage accounting, payroll, customer orders, inventory, purchasing and sales information.
What business software runs on AS400 and IBM i?
IBM i supports the day-to-day applications that many organizations use to process financial and operational transactions. A business may run a complete integrated suite, a collection of applications from different vendors, or internally developed programs that have been refined over many years.
| Business need | Typical IBM i application | What it manages |
|---|---|---|
| Financial accounting | General Ledger, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable | Financial activity, vendor payments, customer balances and reporting |
| Employee payments | Payroll | Payroll processing, deductions, taxes and reporting |
| Asset records | Fixed Assets | Asset history, depreciation and financial records |
| Customer sales | Order Entry and Invoicing | Orders, pricing, shipments and billing |
| Stock and replenishment | Inventory Control and Purchasing | Quantities, locations, buying and product availability |
| Management information | Sales Analysis | Sales history, customer activity and product performance |
Three ways to add or replace IBM i applications
1. Replace a single application
A company may need a new payroll, fixed-assets or accounting application while the rest of its system continues to work well. A stand-alone module can address that specific gap and exchange information with existing programs.
2. Build an integrated application suite
Related modules can share customers, vendors, inventory and financial information. This reduces duplicate entry and provides a consistent flow from operating transactions into accounting. CSS modules can be combined for wholesale distribution, manufacturing and other operating environments.
3. Extend custom or legacy software
Replacing a dependable application is not always the best answer. IBM i contract programming can add reports, interfaces, file conversions, integrations and workflow changes to software already in use.
What to evaluate before choosing AS400 software
The best application is not simply the one with the longest feature list. It should fit the way your organization operates and the other programs that must exchange data with it. Before selecting software, document these practical requirements:
- IBM i compatibility: Identify your current operating-system release, database files, interfaces and any third-party dependencies.
- Integration: Determine which customer, vendor, employee, inventory and general-ledger information must move between applications.
- Required workflows: Separate essential business processes from features that would merely be convenient.
- Reporting: List the financial statements, management reports, forms, exports and audit information the system must produce.
- Conversion: Decide how much historical information needs to be retained and how existing records will be mapped.
- Support and customization: Confirm who will answer questions, make program changes and help resolve integration issues.
- Total cost: Compare licensing, per-user charges, implementation, conversion, training, support and future programming—not only the initial price.
Why keep business applications on IBM i?
Many organizations have substantial value invested in IBM i data, business rules, reports and staff knowledge. When the underlying platform and core processes remain dependable, replacing everything can introduce unnecessary cost and disruption. Adding a focused module or improving an existing application can preserve that investment while solving the immediate business problem.
This approach is particularly useful when a company needs to replace an unsupported application, eliminate a manual process, connect two systems or improve reporting without undertaking a complete ERP replacement.
Choose only the software you need
You do not have to replace a working business system. CSS applications can run independently or integrate with software already operating on your IBM i. This approach is especially useful when you need better accounting or payroll capabilities without a disruptive platform replacement.
- Accounts Payable (A/P)
- Accounts Receivable (A/R)
- General Ledger (G/L)
- Payroll
- Fixed Assets
- Cash Reconciliation
- Order Entry & Invoicing (O/E)
- Inventory Control
- Inventory Purchasing
- Sales Analysis
No user-based pricing. Ask about multi-module pricing and integration with your current applications.
Discuss your software needsFrequently asked questions
Is AS400 software the same as IBM i software?
In common business use, the terms often refer to the same application environment. AS/400 was the original system name, iSeries was a later name and IBM i is the current operating-system name. Many businesses still search for AS400 software when they need applications that run on IBM i.
Can an IBM i application work with software from another vendor?
Often, yes. The exact approach depends on the files, interfaces and business rules involved. CSS can review the existing environment and provide integration or contract programming where needed.
Can CSS software integrate with our current applications?
Yes. Individual modules can be licensed to fill a specific gap and integrated with existing IBM i software. CSS also provides contract programming for application changes and integrations.
Do we have to purchase a complete ERP system?
No. You can purchase a single core module or combine several applications into an integrated system.
How do we choose the right module?
Tell CSS about your current system, the problem you need to solve and any required data connections. We can recommend a practical starting point and demonstrate the relevant workflow.