Infor LX and BPCS IBM i OS Release Upgrade Checklist
This checklist covers moving an Infor LX 8.x or BPCS 6.x system to a newer IBM i release, such as 7.3, 7.4 or 7.5. It runs from compatibility checks and required PTFs through saves, the upgrade itself, functional validation, rollback and sign-off.
0 of 36 items complete
17 critical items still open - these are the highest-risk gaps.
1. Compatibility
2. Pre-upgrade
3. Upgrade
4. Post-upgrade validation
5. Rollback and sign-off
Any unchecked item in group 1 (Compatibility) or group 4 (Post-upgrade validation) blocks go-live.
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Tell us your LX or BPCS version, current and target IBM i release, and we will mark up the checklist with the items that matter most for your system.
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How to use it
Work through the groups in order and assign an owner to each item. Group 1 has to be complete before you book the outage, because a missing required PTF or an unsupported third-party tool can stop the project. Group 2 protects you if anything goes wrong. Do group 3 on a test partition or a restored copy first, then repeat it on production using the same notes. Group 4 is the business test: real transactions on test data, signed off by people who use LX every day. Export the checklist to keep the record with your change ticket.
Where the LX requirements come from
IBM publishes informational APARs that list PTFs needed to run Infor LX and BPCS on a given IBM i release. II14781, titled V7R2 Infor LX and BPCS required PTF list, is the one for 7.2. It also points out that PTFs already in the latest Db2 group or cumulative package are not listed separately. The same APAR covers object conversion of secured programs and a QAQQINI setting for some BPCS 6.0 releases. Look for the matching APAR for your target release on IBM support, and check Infor support and the LX documentation for your version's supported OS releases. Version support and dates change, so record what you found and when.
Version differences and gotchas
Older BPCS releases are more likely to hit object conversion problems, especially secured or third-party programs without observability. Check these on a test copy first. Custom RPG programs compiled for an old target release usually still run, but recompiling exposes problems early. LX Java and GUI components depend on Java levels that change between OS releases. A client that worked on 7.2 might need updating. ODBC and JDBC clients on user PCs, including Access Client Solutions and reporting tools, often fail quietly after an upgrade. That is why they have their own critical item.
How to confirm the result in the system
After the upgrade, compare MRP run time and month-end step times with your baseline. A big slowdown usually points to missing database group PTFs or statistics that need rebuilding. Check the system history log for conversion messages. Use WRKPTFGRP to confirm that the group PTF levels match your plan. Have a planner, a buyer and an accountant run their daily tasks on the test environment before you sign off. Keep the pre-upgrade save until after the first month-end on the new release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which IBM i PTFs does Infor LX need?
IBM keeps informational APARs listing required PTFs for Infor LX and BPCS by OS release. II14781 is the list for V7R2. Look for the equivalent on IBM support for your target release, keep the Db2 group and cumulative PTFs current, and confirm any extra Infor fixes with Infor support.
Does Infor LX 8.4 run on IBM i 7.5?
Supported OS releases depend on the LX version, service level and Infor's current support statement, and they change over time. Check the Infor LX documentation and Infor support for your exact version before planning. This checklist treats that confirmation as a blocking item rather than assuming support.
Do I need to recompile BPCS programs after an OS upgrade?
Usually standard programs run after object conversion without recompiling, but secured programs without observability can fail to convert. II14781 covers related fixes for 7.2. Test custom programs on a copy, and recompile your own code where you hold the source to catch problems early.
What about the LX 8.4.2 GUI after an upgrade?
The GUI and other Java components depend on Java and network settings that can change with the OS release. Test the client from several user PCs on the upgraded test system and confirm the Java level with Infor documentation. Keep the previous client install files until the upgrade is signed off.
If you plan to add a private AI assistant over LX after the upgrade, we can design it to read your IBM i data on site, with no data leaving your network.
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