Hi，I am currently working in Silverlake,
I am interested to get myself into the AS400 field,
but my concern is,the use of RPGLE is very limited in Malaysia,
only banks,insurance or other financial companies are using this kind of programming language,
and I do worry that RPGLE will be eliminated in the future,
banks may shift from RPGLE to other technology,
so if I got myself into AS400 already,I do limit myself,
so guys,any one has experience to share with me?
What do you guys think??

Chances of banks switching out of RPGLE is minimal as it is too big of an impact to migrate away from it. HOWEVER, demand for it is getting less and less.

The demand comes from existing clients not from new clients. So its not growing anymore.

Business knowledge > Technical Skills.

You dont wanna be a programmer for your whole life.

I doubt banks will change to other technologies so easily, since IBM mainframe is so secure and steady. But your job options are restricted to Silverlake or supporting banks IT.

Years ago I switched from RPGLE into another technology after one year experience and took a big paycut. You can either do what I did, or start learning other technologies on the side (Java, .Net, SAP, Oracle, etc)

AS/400 is not mainframe. Therefore chance of downsizing to other platform from AS/400, e.g. UNIX is higher than mainframe.

@Currylaksa

a few other comps also uses AS400 such as nippon, atos origin and so on. Its not limited to banks only but you have very limited options as not many comps in general use AS400

>>Kelvin: Yes I agree with what you are saying,If I really go into AS400,then my career with be within the banking scope..
Any one knows how is the AS400 trend in Europe countries??I heard Silverlake brought the technology from US.

>>Miriam: yes but a newbie has to start as a programmer isn't it??

>>Currylaksa: Mind to share what kind of technology you are doing now??
I am curious about one thing,by the time you changed from AS400 to another field,did your superior offered you a price higher
than your salary as AS400 programmer or a price for fresh people??

P.S: How is the trend of AS400/RPGLE in other countries,especially job opportunities in Europe

That time I switched to SAP ABAP, as a freshie again, and it cost me a RM200/month pay cut. suffer one whole year.

Suffer for short term only.

Long term, you will see that you have made a good decision.

@Tiger99
I started my career without being in programming first its how you sell yourself. And yes i'm in the IT line.

200 it not too much of a paycut bro. Some ppl willing to take a 2k paycut to get into SAP.

Can you explain what is SAP in brief??
In your opinion,AS400 and SAP which one allows you to build a brighter career path??

@Tiger99
SAP = system, analyst and products. Its the biggest ERP system that is being used at this moment. 80% of fortune 500 companies have implemented this as their ERP system.

AS400 vs SAP.. SAP wins hands down .. there isnt even a need to compare. Which is why ppl are willing to take a RM2k pay cut to get into SAP.

Ala... SAP ABAP is not good as well, salaries are getting significantly depressed

Only SAP Functional Consultants or Project Managers will earn the big bucks, good luck breaking into that circle.

You forget contractors

So Vinci777,are you still doing AS400??



This post has been edited by Tiger99: Nov 17 2010, 01:06 AM

Yes indeed. Its a small world. We might even met before. lol

@currylaksa
yea functional and project manages earn big bucks. Hasn't the trend always been that way in any IT related firm? Not to question programmers capability but in Malaysia, programmers are UNDERPAID in my opinion.

According to official salary surveys for 2010 (e.g. Robert Walters), SAP ABAP salaries are in line with J2EE and C++. SAP ABAP salaries are almost half of SAP Functional Consultant. It's a shame that ABAPers get categorized as high earners like a functional, just because of the SAP tagline.

Soft skills and management, there's where the money is. There is little or no premium for the programming language/platform we are in.

@currylaksa
i guess that has always been the way it is.

Back to the topic, RPGLE is a very very risky road to go for now with little upside but a lot of downside. Can the demand for RPGLE continue for the next 20 years? Thats a question you have to ask yourself.