Izzi Software announced a strategic partnership with Virtutem to sell and support the Valence application modernization platform for Infor LX, PRMS, and other IBM i-based ERP environments where Infor’s native Development Framework proves insufficient. The collaboration addresses a persistent challenge facing IBM i shops: heavily customized legacy systems running on older Infor LX versions or homegrown ERPs lack vendor-supported modernization paths that can accommodate custom code without forcing disruptive upgrades.
Virtutem, a Chicago-based systems integrator founded in 2008, has specialized in Infor LX and PRMS implementations for hundreds of IBM i customers concentrated in the Great Lakes manufacturing region. As an Infor partner, Virtutem routinely deploys the Infor Development Framework for clients pursuing vendor-supported modernization, but founder and CEO Alwyn Francis identified critical gaps where IDF falls short.
Valence Provides Alternative Path for IBM i Modernization
For technology executives managing IBM i ERP environments, the Virtutem-Izzi partnership signals availability of a proven alternative to vendor-locked modernization frameworks that require major version upgrades or custom code abandonment. Valence operates as a low-code development and runtime platform native to IBM i, enabling organizations to build modern web and mobile applications without migrating off the platform or rewriting core business logic. The architecture runs entirely on IBM i at version 6.1 or higher, which eliminates dependencies on external servers while enabling browser-based interfaces that replace green-screen interactions.
Recent deployments demonstrate tangible operational improvements across manufacturing workflows. Companies use Valence applications to receive, record, and trace goods moving from manufacturer to warehouse to retail locations, while shop floor personnel gain real-time visibility into work order schedules, inventory levels, and production data through intuitive mobile interfaces. External portals built with Valence enable self-service interactions with customers and suppliers, reducing call and email volumes while improving response times. Managers access real-time business metrics through custom dashboards that address unique requirements beyond off-the-shelf software capabilities.
The broader IBM i ERP modernization market is experiencing strategic realignment as vendors commit to long-term platform viability. Infor announced at its November 2025 inPOWER conference that it will deliver IBM i 7.6 support across XA, LX, and System21 in 2026, alongside REST APIs and System i Workspace Liberty, a Java 17-compliant UI technology launching in Q3 2026. These commitments signal that IBM i platforms will remain inside active transformation roadmaps rather than being deprecated for cloud replacements, validating investments in modernization tools like Valence that extend platform longevity.
However, Infor’s strategy centers on customers willing to upgrade to current ERP versions and adopt vendor-supported frameworks. For the substantial segment running older versions with extensive customizations, this path requires capital investments and operational disruptions many organizations cannot justify. Valence fills this gap by working with existing code bases and system versions, providing incremental modernization without forcing wholesale upgrades.
What This Means for ERP Insiders
Partner ecosystems become competitive differentiators when vendor modernization paths exclude customized installations. Infor’s IDF strategy serves customers on current ERP versions with standard configurations, but the Virtutem partnership reveals substantial market segments running older versions with custom code that vendor frameworks cannot accommodate. This dynamic creates opportunities for systems integrators and ISVs who can provide alternative modernization paths, while pressuring ERP vendors to expand framework flexibility or risk losing influence over customer technology roadmaps.
Low-code modernization platforms enable incremental transformation. Valence’s architecture demonstrates that organizations can deliver modern web and mobile interfaces while preserving existing RPG business logic and database structures, fundamentally challenging the assumption that modernization requires cloud migration or platform replacement. This incremental approach reduces financial risk and operational disruption compared to wholesale ERP replacements, making modernization accessible to mid-market manufacturers with constrained IT budgets.
Consolidation among independent software vendors signals maturation and rationalization. Izzi Software’s acquisition strategy targeting retiring founders of successful IBM i and mainframe software companies reveals that many independent vendors lack succession plans, creating exit opportunities for consolidators who can provide operational infrastructure while preserving technical expertise. This consolidation trend benefits customers by ensuring continued support for specialized tools while creating scaled vendors capable of multi-platform support, but also concentrates market power and potentially reduces competitive dynamics that have historically driven innovation.
