What we learn, written down.
Analysis and reflections from the trenches. When a project teaches us something worth sharing, it ends up here. No content marketing, no trend lists.
Articles
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IBM Bob and RPG code: what it actually does and where it stops
Bob is IBM AI development partner for RPG and COBOL, generally available since March 2026 with an IBM i pack since June. What it does to the code, what it costs, and what it does not cover.
Andrea Barberi 12 min
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From Excel to software: six signals the spreadsheet no longer holds
A spreadsheet does not need replacing for being a spreadsheet. It needs replacing when specific signals appear: six criteria for the threshold, and the three routes available once it has been crossed.
Gabriele Longo 11 min -
What it costs to keep an AS/400 ERP running, and what the fee covers
The five cost lines behind an AS/400 system, what an application maintenance contract actually covers, and the two lines that never appear on any invoice.
Marco Tartaglia 13 min -
IBM i 7.4 out of support on 30 September 2026: who does what
On 30 September 2026 IBM i 7.4 leaves standard support. The release-hardware matrix decides who can upgrade the OS, who has to change iron and who pays for the extension.
Marco Tartaglia 14 min -
Implementing RAG on an enterprise knowledge base: practical guide
Practical tutorial for implementing RAG on an Italian enterprise knowledge base in 2026: chunking, embeddings, vector store, retrieval, native prompt. Ready-to-use TypeScript code.
Adrian Sebastian Ciocaianu 11 min -
AS/400 modernization with running business: manufacturing scenario
Illustrative scenario based on industry-typical patterns: how to modernize a 28-year-old AS/400 in a manufacturing company in the Marche region while keeping the business running 24/7.
Marco Tartaglia 9 min -
Accounting firms: custom software or off-the-shelf management tool?
When an accounting firm has to choose between TeamSystem Studio or equivalent and custom-built software: concrete criteria, scenarios, real costs and evaluation mistakes.
Gabriele Longo 9 min Updated August 17, 2026 -
NIS2-compliant software: what it actually means in 2026
What it means to develop 'NIS2-compliant' software in 2026: access controls, logs, patch management, supply chain security, certifications and applicable technical standards.
Gabriele Longo 14 min Updated August 17, 2026 -
How to choose a tech stack in 2026: our checklist
A concrete checklist for selecting your tech stack in 2026: evaluation criteria, common mistakes, considerations on the Italian talent pool and AI evolution. No ideological preferences.
Gabriele Longo 14 min -
The 5 most common pitfalls in legacy system migrations
Five recurring failure patterns in legacy migrations in Italy: underestimated domain knowledge, dirty data, big-bang without fallback, user rejection, non-specialized vendors.
Marco Tartaglia 14 min -
Invoicing automation for B2B distribution: the scenario
Illustrative scenario based on industry-typical patterns: how to automate the invoicing flow for a B2B distributor with 800 customers and 5,000 monthly invoices in 10 weeks.
Andrea Barberi 9 min -
AI agents vs chatbots: the difference few people understand
The technical difference between AI agent and chatbot is not marketing: it changes architecture, capability, costs and ROI. When each makes sense and the most common mistakes in choosing.
Andrea Barberi 11 min -
How long it takes to migrate an AS/400: real timelines in 2026
Realistic timelines for each AS/400 migration strategy: replatforming 4-6 months, refactoring 12-24, replacement 18-36. Factors that shift the timeline and key milestones.
Marco Tartaglia 9 min -
AI Act and the Digital Omnibus: what changed in August 2026
The Digital Omnibus postponed high-risk system obligations to 2 December 2027. Only Article 50 on transparency took effect on 2 August 2026. What an Italian software house actually has to do.
Adrian Sebastian Ciocaianu 15 min Updated August 15, 2026 -
AI booking agent for a multi-specialty clinic: the case
Illustrative scenario based on industry-typical patterns: how to design and build an AI agent for booking management at a clinic with 8 practices in 12 weeks.
Andrea Barberi 9 min -
SAP alternatives for Italian mid-market companies: 5 serious options
Five concrete alternatives to SAP for Italian mid-market companies: Microsoft Dynamics, TeamSystem Enterprise, Odoo, NetSuite, custom ERP. When each makes sense, real costs, common mistakes.
Adrian Sebastian Ciocaianu 11 min Updated August 17, 2026 -
How much it costs to modernize a 2000s custom ERP
Realistic cost ranges to modernize a legacy custom ERP in 2026: replatforming, replacement, gradual modernization. Factors driving the price and red flags.
Andrea Barberi 9 min -
NIS2 for Italian software houses: what changes in 2026
What the NIS2 directive and Legislative Decree 138/2024 concretely mean for software developers in Italy: covered entities, technical obligations, ACN registration, real penalties.
Marco Tartaglia 14 min Updated August 17, 2026 -
Integrating GPT into TeamSystem without replacing the ERP
API-side integration patterns to pair an LLM with TeamSystem without touching the core: webhooks, Italian prompts, data security. Ready-to-adapt TypeScript code.
Andrea Barberi 11 min -
Custom software vs SaaS for Italian SMEs: 7 criteria to decide
In 99% of cases the right answer is SaaS, and we say it as a company that builds custom software. But in that 1%, the future of a company is decided. Seven criteria to figure out where you fall.
Gabriele Longo 12 min -
How much an AI agent for customer service costs in 2026
Three realistic cost tiers: SaaS €100-500/month, custom €15-80k upfront, enterprise €150k+. Factors, concrete scenarios, and red flags of bad estimates.
Andrea Barberi 10 min -
AS/400 migration guide for 2026: 5 concrete strategies
Five real approaches to modernize an AS/400 system without stopping the business: replatforming, refactoring, replacement, retirement, hybrid. Timeframes, costs, common mistakes.
Marco Tartaglia 19 min Updated August 17, 2026