What replaced IBM Db2 Web Query for i?

There is no single official successor. IBM i shops that ran Db2 Web Query have moved to a range of tools. Cat Pumps replaced it with m-Power, a low-code development platform from mrc that handles IBM i reporting over existing data, including the scheduling and Excel export functions Db2 Web Query did.

Can a small IT team migrate Db2 Web Query reports without consultants?

Yes. Cat Pumps converted more than 300 Db2 Web Query reports with a 3-person team and no outside services engagement. A working knowledge of SQL and the underlying database makes the conversion faster, and vendor support that will step in and help if needed.

Does a Db2 Web Query replacement require moving data off IBM i?

It should not. Tools like m-Power run directly over your existing databases, including IBM i, on-premise or in the cloud. The data stays where it lives, the way Db2 Web Query read it, so there is no separate data migration project.

What happens if I keep running Db2 Web Query past the support cutoff?

The tool still runs. Patches stopped, compatibility with newer IBM i releases is not guaranteed, and there is nobody on the vendor side to call when something breaks. Some shops are still on Web Query for that reason, and it works until it doesn't. Just be aware that a new IBM i release could break compatibility.

What skills does my team need to migrate Db2 Web Query reports?

SQL fluency and a working knowledge of the underlying database matter more than experience with any specific tool. The migration is mostly the work of re-creating report logic in a new environment, so a team that knows its data tends to move faster than a team that knows the old tool.

Web Query – mrc's Cup of Joe Blog

What to Look For in a Db2 Web Query Replacement

By Sal Stangarone / Web Query, web reporting

Support for Db2 Web Query was pulled a few years ago, and many companies migrated away immediately. But, at COMMON PowerUP26 this spring, we were surprised by a couple of things:

First, we were surprised at the amount of people who said they were still running Web Query. They’re running without support until they’re forced to migrate.

Second, was the amount of people who tried to migrate and found it harder than they expected. There is a reason some migrations stall, and it’s worth understanding before you look for a Db2 Web Query replacement.

The big reason: Nothing is a true one-to-one swap for Web Query.

Whatever tool you pick, it will not reproduce your reports on its own. You’ll likely need to re-create those reports, and sooner or later you will hit something that the new tool does not handle out of the box.

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What to Look For in a Db2 Web Query ReplacementRead More »

Choosing a Web Query Alternative: One Consultant’s Methodical Approach

By Sal Stangarone / Web Query, web reporting

When IBM announced the end of Db2 Web Query for i, it caught many businesses off guard. Web Query was the go-to reporting tool for IBM i shops. Suddenly, those companies were left asking the same question: Now what?

Rick Flagler, an experienced IBM i consultant, heard that question from his clients almost immediately. They depended on Web Query for reporting and needed a reliable replacement that wouldn’t compromise functionality.

Rick approached the challenge with the precision you’d expect from a seasoned consultant. First, he created a “shopping list” of features that a Web Query replacement should include. He then dove into the landscape of BI tools built for IBM i, narrowing the field to those that ran natively and aligned with his clients’ needs.

From there, Rick didn’t rely on vendor claims or promises…he put each option to the test. He reviewed report designs, requested proof-of-concept demos, and evaluated each product’s ability to meet his criteria.

While I’m happy to say that his search led to m-Power, I’m just scratching the surface here. Rick wrote an article on the whole process, and goes into more details on his approach and criteria. You can read it here: “Life After IBM Db2 Web Query for i: Finding an Alternative.”

If you’re looking for a Web Query replacement, this article is well worth the read. It provides great insight into a thoughtful software evaluation process, what to look for in a BI replacement, and how an experienced consultant approaches this task.

To learn more about m-Power and how it can replace Db2 Web Query, check out this page: IBM Db2 Web Query Replacement