commoneuropecongress2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to Common Europe Congress 2026

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08:00 CEST

IBM i 7.6 and the latest TRs by the Architect

Tuesday June 16, 2026 08:00 - 09:00 CEST

The IBM i development team has just delivered a brand new release - IBM i 7.6 along with several Technology Refreshes. These deliveries are just full of new enhancements targeted to help your business applications run more securely.
In this session, Tim will detail a number of the new enhancements, helping you understand what's new and how you can leverage many of these new features to bring your applications, systems, and business forward.

Often we like to wait upgrade, we are going to show you why IBM i 7.6 may be the release to break that trend!!! Attend this session to see the must-have technologies for your IBM i.

Speakers

Tim Rowe

STSM - IBM i Business Architect, IBM USA

Tim Rowe is a Senior Technical Staff Member within IBM i development and spends most of his time working as the Architect for Application Development and Systems Management. He has been working on the IBM i operating system since 1989. Tim is a frequent author, industry speaker and... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 08:00 - 09:00 CEST
03 - RHÔNE 1

IBM i

09:10 CEST

KEY Note IBM i

Tuesday June 16, 2026 09:10 - 10:10 CEST

03 - RHÔNE 1

Tuesday June 16, 2026 09:10 - 10:10 CEST
03 - RHÔNE 1

IBM i

10:30 CEST

Accelerate your SQL Queries with SMP

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:30 - 11:30 CEST

03 - RHÔNE 1

With Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) now available as a no-charge feature in IBM i, you've gained access to a powerful feature that can significantly improve the speed of query execution. However, SMP must be approached carefully, as improper usage may produce lackluster results.

This session will cover the inner workings of SMP, when to utilize SMP, and tools for controlling system-wide SMP usage.

Speakers

Ryan Moeller

Software Engineer, IBM

Ryan Moeller is a software engineer working on Db2 for i, specifically on the SQL Query Engine (SQE) team. He joined the team in the Rochester, MN development lab in 2020. Ryan specializes in SQL, database development, and query performance analysis.

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:30 - 11:30 CEST
03 - RHÔNE 1

IBM i

10:30 CEST

How to Make the Most Out of Advisory Connect and Expert Labs Assets in IBM i Subscription Bundles

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:30 - 11:30 CEST

12 - IBM Room

Organizations running IBM i environments are increasingly looking for ways to accelerate modernization, strengthen resilience, and maximize the value of their platform investments.
IBM i subscription bundles include valuable services such as Advisory Connect and IBM Expert Labs assets, but many clients are not fully aware of how to take advantage of them. In this session, you will learn how to unlock the full value of these resources and incorporate them into your IT strategy.
We will explore how Advisory Connect provides direct access to IBM experts for guidance on architecture, modernization, security, and operational best practices, while Expert Labs assets can help accelerate implementation, troubleshooting, and optimization projects. Join us to understand what services are available within IBM i subscription bundles, how to engage with these resources effectively, and practical examples of how organizations are using them to drive faster outcomes and stronger platform value.

Speakers

Eric Barsness

Global Resiliency Practice Leader, IBM

Eric Barsness is theGlobal Resiliency Practice Leader for IBM i in Expert Labs and an IBM Master Inventor. Eric specializes in IBM i resiliency, performance and scalability and has led various IBM i performance teams for most of his career. Eric has been improving customer's IBM i... Read More →

Claude Roustan

Global Business Design Consultant (Expert Labs), IBM

Yan Zhuo

IBM i Product Management Leader, IBM

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:30 - 11:30 CEST
12 - IBM Room

IBM i, IBM Session

10:30 CEST

IBM i Client Innovation Stories

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:30 - 11:30 CEST

11 - "The Stage"

IBM i clients around the world in industries such as retail, distribution, consumer products, and more continued to innovate throughout 2025. These organizations leveraged open source technologies and infused AI into their business processes to modernize operations, automate routine tasks, and boost productivity in new ways. From smarter automation to cloud optimization, IBM i continues to evolve as a platform for innovation and growth. Join Brandon Pederson, IBM i and Power Product Marketing Manager, and Steve Will, IBM i Chief Technology Officer and Distinguished Engineer, to explore how clients are using IBM i to modernize, integrate AI, and drive digital transformation. You will leave the session with new ideas to advance your business, practical examples of AI-driven innovation, and inspiration to take your IBM i strategy to the next level.

Speakers

Steve Will

IBM i CTO & Chief Architect, IBM

Brandon Pederson

IBM i and Power Product Marketing Manager, IBM

Brandon Pederson is the Product Marketing Manager for IBM i and Modernization within the IBM Power business. Prior to this role, Brandon was Content Marketing Manager for IBM WebSphere and Content and Community Manager for IBM Power. He has a degree in Marketing from Concordia Uni... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:30 - 11:30 CEST
11 - "The Stage"

IBM i

11:40 CEST

What can software High Availability do for you?

Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:40 - 12:40 CEST

03 - RHÔNE 1

What does High Availability mean, what are the metrics? Why does it do much more than secure your data and how does it work? What options are available and which is the best product out there?

Speakers

Katherina Karner

Consultant, Axians ICT Austria

Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:40 - 12:40 CEST
03 - RHÔNE 1

IBM i

14:00 CEST

What's New in Db2 for i

Tuesday June 16, 2026 14:00 - 15:00 CEST

03 - RHÔNE 1

In the tradition of previous Technology Refreshes (TR), the database team is deliveringenhancements on the same cadence. Attend this session to hear about the manyenhancements to SQL on i, SQL Query Engine, IBM i Services and more. This session will coverthe new and enhanced Db2 for i capabilities added to IBM i 7.4 and IBM i 7.5 over the mostrecent IBM i Technology Refreshes.This session will include something for everyone and anyone who uses the IBM i.

Speakers

Ryan Moeller

Software Engineer, IBM

Tuesday June 16, 2026 14:00 - 15:00 CEST
03 - RHÔNE 1

IBM i

15:55 CEST

HMC, IBM i, FSP, BMC, and Firmware: Putting all the pieces together.

Tuesday June 16, 2026 15:55 - 16:55 CEST

03 - RHÔNE 1

Join us for a session where we will explore the new components and concepts related to partitioning IBM Power Systems. You will learn how these components are interconnected, how to set them up, and how to manage and upgrade them. We will cover components such as the Hardware Management Console (HMC), the Flexible Service Processor (FSP) or eBMC depending on your processor generation, and the Advanced Systems Management Interface (ASMI). Additionally, we'll discuss firmware in your machine and how to perform necessary updates in both LPAR environment and standalone machines. You'll also receive tips on upgrading and establishing communication between the HMC and FSP/eBMC, as well as insights into the role of ASMI. By the end of the session, you will have current knowledge about these crucial hardware features of IBM Power Systems & IBM i.Learning Objectives1) Understand how to upgrade and update your HMC.2) Understand how to upgrade your FSP or eBMC.3) Learn how everything connects and interacts.

Speakers

Pete Massiello

IBM i Advisor, Massiello Holding Corp.

Pete Massiello has been working with the AS/400, iSeries, IBM i since 1989, focusing on systems management and technical support. He has held numerous technical positions through out his career. He is the President of iTech Solutions Group, an IBM Premier Business Partner delivering... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 15:55 - 16:55 CEST
03 - RHÔNE 1

IBM i

17:05 CEST

Common Misconceptions in the IBM i Performance Area

Tuesday June 16, 2026 17:05 - 18:05 CEST

03 - RHÔNE 1

This session addresses key performance considerations and common misconceptions that often lead to confusion when tuning IBM i systems.Topics include:CPU utilization – what it really means and how to interpret it correctlyDisk I/O scenarios – understanding the differences between synchronous and asynchronous I/ODisk page faults – when they matter and when they don’tSQL vs. native DB access – performance implications and best practicesThe presentation concludes with a simple, practical example illustrating job characteristics and performance statistics, helping you separate myth from reality and make informed decisions.

Speakers

Morten Buur Rasmussen

Power Performance Specialist, IBM Expert Labs

Morten Buur Rasmussen is a performance Specialist at IBM Technology Expert Labs. Morten has 40 years of experience in the computing field. He started working with the S/38 and AS/400 in 1988 as programmer. Before joining the Lab Services and Expert Labs, he worked for IBM Denmark... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 17:05 - 18:05 CEST
03 - RHÔNE 1

IBM i

17:05 CEST

Don't Panic! A Stress-Free Guide to TLS on IBM i

Tuesday June 16, 2026 17:05 - 18:05 CEST

07 -RHÔNE 4

In 2026, encryption is no longer optional - it is a mandatory requirement for compliance, security frameworks (like NIS2), and protecting sensitive data. Yet, for many administrators, the world of certificates and the Digital Certificate Manager (DCM) can still feel intimidating.This session is designed to take the stress out of TLS.
To understand why we are doing this, we start by adopting a hacker's perspective, analyzing unencrypted network traffic to see just how exposed clear-text connections really are.Once the risk is clear, we build the solution using modern tools. We will demystify the jargon - explaining what Certificates, CSRs, and CAs actually are - and show how to leverage the new Navigator for i alongside the DCM to manage your security environment effectively.
Finally, we put theory into practice. We will walk through handling certificates from all common sources: whether you need to create a Local CA, import an existing Corporate/Windows Certificate, use a purchased Public Certificate, or automate everything via Let's Encrypt. We wrap up with modern operational tricks, such as securing Host Servers and monitoring certificate validity using SQL.Key Takeaways / Learning

Objectives:
1. Understand the Threat: See firsthand why "clear text" is a security breach waiting to happen by looking at network traces.
2. Master the Terminology: Gain a solid grasp of certificate concepts so you can navigate the DCM and Navigator for i with confidence.
3. Implement & Harden: Learn how to introduce encryption to your system and secure critical endpoints like Host Servers and Web Servers (regardless of the certificate source).4. Modern Operations & Automation: Discover how to leverage Let's Encrypt for free, automated certificates and use native SQL services to prevent expiration outages.

Speakers

Tom Wellmann

IT Consultant, IBM Champion, Tom Georg Wellmann

Tom is an IBM Champion for Power and IBM i, bringing a fresh, young perspective to the platform. Currently completing his Master's degree in Technical Informatics, he has been working as a freelance systems administrator and consultant for IT service providers and end customers for... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 17:05 - 18:05 CEST
07 -RHÔNE 4

IBM i