We are proud to announce the release of LANSA BI 9.16.1.1, bringing GenAI-powered enhancements to your business intelligence workflow.

With this update, you can now connect LANSA BI with the latest AI Model of choice to further simplify insights generation and accelerate decision-making for all users in your organization. Whether you’re working with Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, Azure OpenAI or other Open AI models, this release comes with robust governance controls to help you manage security, usage, performance, and costs.

What’s New

Read on to explore how LANSA BI 9.16.1.1 supports faster data exploration, analysis, and presentation. All updates translate into embedded experiences, which means that you can deliver instant insights to your Visual LANSA application users, and they can immediately use them to make smarter business decisions.

AI-Enabled NLQ

First off, LANSA BI 9.16.1.1 brings AI-enabled NLQ, making it easier than ever for non-coders to get accurate answers from their data. With this, users don’t even need to learn Guided NLQ syntax rules to ask the platform for specific information. Just ask questions as you would in a human conversation, and the AI will translate them into structured queries. Users also don’t need to master all data columns to request insights, making this especially useful for new and non-technical users.

AI mode can be easily toggled on or off when querying data. With this update, users also get Suggested Questions to assist with data exploration. The AI automatically generates a list based on the metadata of the underlying dataset. Results can then be saved as reusable reports, added to dashboards, or inserted into data stories.

AI-Driven Insights with “Tell Me About My Data”

Next, LANSA BI 9.16.1.1 upgrades AI-assisted insights generation with Tell Me About My Data (TMAMD) which doesn’t just add GenAI narratives but also brings recommended charts to support deeper analysis. You can use this new capability when building reports, dashboards, and data stories — just look for this icon to get started.

This update generates plain language explanations to help understand trends, anomalies, and key drivers. Depending on your configuration, it can also compare and analyze data against a broader set for richer insights.

The AI-recommended visualizations will be rendered in LANSA BI as reusable and interactive charts. This significantly reduces the manual work required to create reports, variations, and presentations, allowing users to focus on analysis, collaboration, and decision-making.

With respect to governance, LANSA BI has built-in machine learning that analyzes the data before sending summaries to the external AI model. Detailed dataset records are not transmitted, and administrators can also enable or disable this feature with role-based settings.

AI Story Assistant

TMAMD is deeply integrated with LANSA BI’s built-in Data Storytelling Tool, enabling users to create multimedia narratives more quickly.

With the AI Story Assistant, users managing frequent updates can rely on the AI-generated visualizations and explanations to get their content started. They can then focus on distilling what matters most: actionable insights and value-driven recommendations.

Reminder: LANSA BI 9.16.1.1 is designed to enable faster discovery of insights without compromising control. When using the above AI-powered features, metadata such as column names, view descriptions, data types, and reference codes may be sent to the AI model together with the user’s question. Access can also be controlled by role, providing fine-grained governance over which users can use the feature.

AI Model Preference, Usage Tracking and Cost Governance

With the AI model integration, we are able to deliver a friendlier BI experience dedicated to accelerating insight discovery and decision-making. To support enterprise governance, LANSA BI 9.16.1.1 also comes with advanced auditing capabilities for AI usage.

Providing administrators with visibility to manage operational efficiency and compliance, they can:

• Easily connect to OpenAI, Claude, Gemini or Azure models (Bring Your Own Provider)
• Choose model versions to balance performance, speed, and cost
• Define AI connections at the Client Organisation (tenant) level
• Monitor accumulated token usage per connection
• View recent usage summaries in the Admin console
• Drill into individual AI requests
• Review exactly what was sent to and received from the model
• Analyze usage by tenant, model, feature type, or date

Additional Updates

Automated Tomcat Upgrades

The updater can now optionally upgrade the bundled Tomcat version automatically during system updates.

This reduces manual maintenance effort and helps ensure deployments stay aligned with current security standards. Silent installer support and safeguards protect custom configurations.

Expanded Data Connectivity

LANSA BI 9.16.1.1 expands reporting source support, including:

• Certified connectivity for ClickHouse
• Certified connectivity for StarRocks
• Snowflake support using public/private key authentication

These additions provide more flexibility across modern data ecosystems.

Reporting and Charting Enhancements

This release continues to improve performance and authoring flexibility.

Performance Improvements

• Ability to push sorting operations to the database using ORDER BY
• Better handling of row limits and large datasets

Enhanced Chart Configuration

• Configure colour for “Other” category segments
• Add additional tooltip fields to Ring and Pie charts
• Disable brush filtering where required
• Configure colour behaviour for Percentage Bar formatting
• Additional micro-configuration improvements

Authoring Improvements

• Use Reference Codes as parameter value lists
• Create new content folders directly when publishing reports
• Drill from reports to dashboards when embedded inside Stories

These improvements enhance control for report authors and embedded deployments.

Export and Integration Enhancements

Further enhancements include:

• Filter placeholders in custom export filenames
• Improved export behaviour for embedded content
• Extended JavaScript API with additional export configuration control
• Ability to purge historic Signals data to help manage repository size

These updates support embedded applications and operational efficiency.

Why Upgrade to LANSA BI 9.16.1.1

AI-powered insight generation within dashboards

Enable users to move beyond static reporting. With Tell Me About My Data, business users can instantly generate narrative explanations and recommended charts from any report or dashboard component. This accelerates insight discovery, reduces reliance on specialist analysts, and shortens the time from data to decision.

AI model flexibility and tenant-level control

Choose the AI model that best fits your organisation’s needs, balancing cost, performance, and response quality. Define AI connections per Client Organisation (tenant), supporting multi-tenant deployments and “bring your own model” strategies without compromising architectural control.

Full AI usage auditing and cost governance

Gain visibility into AI consumption with detailed token tracking and drill-down request auditing. Monitor usage by connection, tenant, model, and feature type. This supports cost optimisation, compliance requirements, and enterprise-level governance of AI workloads.

Reduced administration with automated upgrades

Optional automated Tomcat upgrades during system updates eliminate manual maintenance steps and reduce exposure to security risks. This simplifies lifecycle management and helps keep environments aligned with supported platform components.

Broader database connectivity

Expanded certified data source support, including modern analytics platforms, provides greater deployment flexibility and enables integration with evolving enterprise data strategies.

Continued seamless integration with Visual LANSA

LANSA BI 9.16.1.1 preserves the existing two-part architecture, including the ready-to-use Visual LANSA integration components. No redesign is required — simply upgrade and continue embedding dashboards, reports, and AI capabilities in your applications.

Enterprise-ready deployment on IBM i and Windows

Maintain full compatibility with IBM i and Windows environments, supporting hybrid and cross-platform deployments. LANSA BI continues to provide a stable, scalable analytics foundation aligned with enterprise infrastructure standards.

How to Install LANSA BI 9.16.1.1?

LANSA BI 9.16.1.1 is compatible with IBM i and Windows environments. It can be used as a stand-alone BI solution or an embedded analytics layer to Visual LANSA applications.

The packages comprises of two parts:

• LANSA BI software
• Visual LANSA file with sample API integration (simply input your LANSA BI credentials to start embedding dashboards and reports)

Existing users may download the latest LANSA BI version from the LANSA Support Portal and follow the included installation guide for your platform.

For detailed guidance on using LANSA BI, visit docs.lansa.com and select “LANSA BI” from the Integration section in the main menu.

Powered by Yellowfin 9.16.1.1 you may also refer to the complete release notes — including all bug fixes, new features, and enhancements here.

Not Yet a LANSA BI User?

LANSA BI is an AI-powered business intelligence solution primarily designed to support digital transformation projects on IBM i and Windows. Whether you’re starting from scratch or replacing legacy reporting tools, LANSA BI’s intuitive platform and comprehensive features can help you deliver actionable analytics directly to decision-makers.

Watch this webinar for an overview: Delivering Enterprise Analytics Your End-Users Will Love with LANSA BI

Consult with our experts to discuss your business intelligence requirements for free. We would be happy to provide a product tour based on your needs and start a proof of concept (POC) to visualize a sample dataset for your evaluation.

A LANSA BI sandbox is available for you and your team to experience AI-powered self-service analytics firsthand before taking the leap. Contact us now to get started.

The post LANSA BI 9.16.1.1: Friendlier, Smarter, Embedded Analytics with GenAI and Stronger Governance appeared first on LANSA.

Across industries, teams are moving away from rigid monolithic systems. They want technology that adapts quickly and doesn’t slow them down. MACH offers the flexibility and freedom to change what you need—without breaking everything else.

You may also be exploring composable systems for e-commerce and digital experiences. If so, LANSA’s Composable Commerce Complete and Legacy-Compatible Storefront is a strong example of this shift in action. It shows how organizations can modernize step by step, without replacing the systems they still depend on.

Key Insights

Some key takeaways from this blog to guide your MACH architecture journey:

1. Adopt modular thinking: Break large systems into smaller, independent components to move faster and reduce the impact of changes across your architecture.
   
2. Integrate smarter with API-first: Use consistent, secure APIs to connect services, simplify integrations, and prepare your systems for future expansion.
   
3. Leverage cloud-native scalability: Improve reliability and performance by running services in the cloud, enabling automatic scaling and streamlined deployment workflows.
   
4. Deliver flexible experiences with headless: Build front ends that can adapt to any channel or device, while keeping your backend stable and future-ready.
   
5. Accelerate modernization with expert support: Use LANSA’s low-code platform and Professional Services to adopt MACH safely, integrate legacy systems, and modernize at your own pace.

Read on to learn more.

What Is MACH Technology?

MACH technology is a modern way of building digital systems using modular and flexible components. It stands:

• Microservices-Based
• API-First
• Cloud-Native
• Headless

Each part helps your teams move faster and build solutions that can change without heavy rework.

Microservices

Microservices break a large application into smaller, independent units. Each unit can be updated or scaled on its own without disrupting the whole system. This approach lowers risk and speeds up feature delivery.

API-first

An API-first model ensures every function communicates through well-designed APIs from the start. This creates easier, more consistent integrations across systems. New tools and channels can be added without rebuilding the core platform.

Cloud-native

Cloud-native systems run directly in the cloud and take advantage of its flexibility. They gain automatic scaling, higher reliability, and reduced maintenance. Deployments become faster and less dependent on physical infrastructure.

Headless

Headless architecture separates the front end from the backend logic. This enables content and experiences to be delivered across any channel or device. Teams can experiment with new interfaces without affecting core systems.

MACH Technology Adoption

MACH adoption continues to rise as enterprises shift away from rigid, monolithic systems. Many organizations are now prioritizing faster delivery, easier integrations, and architectures that can evolve without long upgrade cycles.

A growing number of organizations are already moving toward modular and composable systems. Gartner reports that 70% of large and midsize organizations include composability as a key criterion when evaluating new technology investments [1]. This shows a clear shift toward architectures built on microservices, APIs, and adaptable components.

Cloud adoption trends also support this direction. As of 2025, 94% of enterprises use some form of cloud services [2]. This growing reliance on cloud infrastructure makes the cloud-native foundation of MACH easier for your teams to adopt at scale.

Analysts further predict that at least 60% of new B2C and B2B digital commerce solutions developed for the cloud will align with MACH principles by 2027[3]. This signals strong long-term growth, especially in retail and commerce.

Learn about cloud migration strategy, process, and benefits.

Taken together, these trends show that MACH is no longer experimental. It is becoming a mainstream strategy for enterprises planning large-scale modernization with less risk and more flexibility.

What Is MACH Architecture?

MACH architecture is a modern way of designing digital systems using modular, independent building blocks. Instead of relying on one large, tightly connected platform, MACH allows every part of the system to evolve on its own. This creates an ecosystem that can adapt quickly to new requirements.

At its core, MACH architecture is about freedom and flexibility. Each component—whether it handles checkout, search, inventory, or content—can be replaced, upgraded, or scaled without touching the rest of the system. This reduces the fear of breaking something when making changes.

MACH also supports a more open technology environment. Teams can choose the tools and services that work best for their business, rather than being locked into a single vendor or platform. It creates a more future-ready foundation by encouraging modern standards, open integration, and continuous improvement.

For many of you working in complex enterprises, MACH architecture offers a way to innovate faster without disrupting mission-critical operations. It provides the structure needed for large organizations to modernize step by step, instead of attempting risky, all-at-once migrations.

MACH Architecture vs. Traditional (Monolith) Architecture

MACH architecture differs sharply from traditional monolithic systems. A monolith keeps everything inside one large, interconnected codebase. MACH breaks that structure apart and distributes it across smaller, independent components. These differences shape how teams build, scale, and maintain digital systems.

A monolithic system is stable but rigid. Changes often require touching multiple parts of the application, which slows delivery and increases risk. MACH takes the opposite approach. Each component operates on its own, so updates and replacements become faster and safer.

Integration also works differently. Monoliths rely on internal connections that are difficult to extend. MACH uses open APIs, making it easier to plug in new tools, channels, or services. This gives organizations more freedom to evolve their digital stack over time.

What Are the Benefits of MACH Architecture?

MACH architecture creates a more adaptable, scalable, and future-ready digital foundation. It helps organizations move faster, reduce operational friction, and modernize without major disruption. These benefits are especially valuable for teams managing complex, enterprise-level systems.

Accelerate Time-to-Market With Minimized Risk

MACH allows each part of the system to evolve independently. This means new features, fixes, or integrations can be released without touching the entire application.

The result is shorter delivery cycles and fewer breaking changes.

Smaller, isolated deployments also reduce risk. Teams can test and roll out updates in controlled phases, instead of making large, risky releases.

Achieve Greater Flexibility With Tailor-Made Solutions

MACH architecture achieves flexibility by decoupling systems into independent components. Each service—such as checkout, search, content, or payments—can be selected, replaced, or scaled without affecting the rest of the platform. This allows organizations to adapt their technology stack as business needs change.

Because capabilities are connected through APIs, teams are free to choose the tools that best fit each use case. New services can be added, upgraded, or removed without requiring a full platform rebuild. This creates a true best-for-purpose approach rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

This same principle underpins Composable Commerce, where commerce platforms are assembled from specialized components instead of a single monolithic system. LANSA’s Composable Commerce Complete and Legacy-Compatible Storefront reflects this model by enabling modern commerce experiences while continuing to leverage existing backend systems. It demonstrates how flexibility can be achieved without abandoning trusted enterprise foundations.

Adopt an Industry-Leading & Future-Proof Technology Strategy

Technology evolves quickly. MACH provides a structure that can adapt to it.

Open APIs, cloud-native principles, and decoupled services allow organizations to adopt new innovations without overhauling the entire stack.

This reduces the risk of technology stagnation. It also keeps long-term investments aligned with industry standards, not tied to outdated architectures or fixed vendor roadmaps.

Eliminate the Burden of Traditional Upgrades

Monolithic systems often require large, time-consuming upgrades. These upgrades can disrupt operations, strain teams, and delay other priorities.

MACH removes this burden.

With modular components, upgrades happen in smaller, more manageable steps. Each service can be updated independently, allowing organizations to stay current without pausing development or risking downtime.

Enable Rapid Modernization and Customization

Modernization projects often fail because they require too much change at once. MACH supports a phased journey instead.

Teams can modernize one component at a time, starting with the areas that deliver the biggest impact.

Customization also becomes easier. Because the system is not tightly coupled, each service can be adapted, extended, or replaced without affecting the rest of the environment.

This helps you all build solutions that match real business needs—without being restricted by the limitations of a monolith.

Challenges of MACH Architecture

MACH architecture delivers strong advantages, but it also introduces new layers of complexity. Organizations need the right skills, governance, and tools to manage a distributed, modular environment effectively. These challenges don’t prevent adoption—but they do require planning and clear execution.

Higher Architectural Complexity

• Multiple microservices, APIs, and cloud components must work together.
• Coordination becomes harder as the system grows.

Skill Gaps in Development Teams

• Many teams lack deep experience in microservices, API design, or cloud-native patterns.
• Additional training or new roles (DevOps, SRE, platform engineering) may be needed.

Increased Cost Management Needs

• Multiple services and vendors can raise initial setup costs.
• Ongoing cloud expenses must be monitored to prevent overspending.

More Demanding Monitoring and Observability

• Distributed systems require unified logging, tracing, and monitoring tools.
• Incident response becomes more complex when many components are involved.

API Governance and Integration Challenges

• APIs must be consistent, secure, and well-documented.
• Poor governance can create friction when connecting legacy or third-party systems.

Potential Strain on Legacy Systems

• Integrating older platforms with modern microservices may require additional layers or refactoring.
• Data flow and synchronization become critical concerns.

Factors to Consider When Evaluating MACH Architecture

Before adopting MACH architecture, organizations need to assess readiness, not just understand the technology. MACH introduces a different way of building, operating, and governing systems. Evaluating these factors early helps determine whether MACH aligns with your organization’s skills, structure, and long-term strategy.

Microservices Readiness

• Are your business domains clearly defined?
  MACH works best when applications can be split into independent services with clear ownership. Blurred responsibilities increase complexity and slow delivery.
• Can your teams manage distributed systems?
  Microservices introduce more moving parts. Organizations must be ready to handle service coordination, monitoring, and cross-team dependencies.
• Do you have mature deployment and testing practices?
  Frequent releases across multiple services require automation, CI/CD pipelines, and strong quality controls.

API-First Maturity

• Do you have standards for API design and governance?
  MACH depends on consistent, well-governed APIs. Without clear standards, integrations become fragile and difficult to maintain.

Read about creating APIs with Visual LANSA.

• Is security built into your API strategy?
  An API-first model increases exposure. Authentication, authorization, rate limiting, and monitoring must be part of the evaluation process.
• Can your organization support API documentation and lifecycle management?
  APIs must be discoverable, documented, versioned, and maintained over time to support long-term scalability.

Cloud-Native Preparedness

• Is your organization ready to operate cloud-native infrastructure?
  MACH assumes comfort with cloud platforms, containers, scaling models, and modern deployment patterns.
• Do you have visibility into cloud cost management?
  Cloud-native systems scale easily—but costs can grow just as quickly. Strong cost controls and monitoring are essential.
• Can your architecture support high availability and resilience?
  Cloud-native does not guarantee reliability. It must be designed intentionally with redundancy, observability, and fault tolerance.

Learn how to accelerate your digital transformation with low-code in the cloud.

Headless and Front-End Capabilities

• Are your teams prepared to manage decoupled front ends?
  Headless architecture shifts responsibility to front-end teams. This requires stronger frontend engineering and experience design skills.
• Can your organization support multi-channel delivery?
  MACH enables omnichannel experiences, but only if teams can manage multiple interfaces consistently and efficiently.
• Are content workflows ready to change?
  Headless systems require new approaches to content modeling, previews, and publishing. Editorial teams must adapt to this shift.

Implementing MACH Architecture in Your Organization

Moving to MACH architecture is not a single step. It is a phased journey that reshapes how systems are built, integrated, and maintained. The transition works best when guided by clear goals and a structured roadmap.

The first step is understanding where change is needed most. Some organizations start with customer-facing layers like storefronts or content delivery. Others begin with backend services that limit speed or scalability. Choosing the right entry point reduces risk and helps you all see value early.

Strong governance is essential. MACH introduces many independent components, so teams must align on standards for APIs, security, tooling, and deployment. Without a shared framework, complexity can grow quickly.

Integration with existing systems also needs planning. Many enterprises cannot replace legacy platforms all at once. A gradual approach—modernizing one service at a time—works well. This lets your teams adopt MACH without disrupting core operations.

Because the journey can feel overwhelming, many organizations partner with experts who understand both modern architectures and legacy environments. LANSA Professional Services supports this transition with hands-on guidance, low-code solutions, and modernization strategies built for complex enterprise systems. IT experts will help map your migration path, build new services, and ensure that MACH principles work effectively within your environment.

With the right support, MACH becomes easier to adopt—and far more impactful over time.

Transition to MACH for IBM i Developers

IBM i developers are now facing a major shift in how modern systems are built and delivered. Many long-running applications still depend on tightly coupled designs, but business needs are changing fast. MACH architecture offers a path forward that preserves stability while opening the door to modern capabilities.

For many IBM i teams, the goal is not to replace the platform entirely. Instead, the focus is on extending it. MACH allows IBM i applications to coexist with new cloud services, APIs, and modular front ends. This creates a hybrid model where the trusted core stays in place, while new experiences and integrations grow around it.

The transition starts by exposing existing IBM i functions through APIs. Once APIs are in place, they can support microservices, headless interfaces, and cloud-native tools. This step-by-step approach helps teams modernize without rewriting everything at once.

Skill development also becomes important. IBM i developers benefit from learning API design, cloud workflows, and modern integration patterns. These skills make it easier to connect legacy logic to newer, composable systems.

Many organizations choose to bring in expert support during this journey. Guidance from teams who understand both IBM i and MACH can reduce risk and help avoid common pitfalls. With the right strategy, IBM i developers can modernize their applications, extend their systems, and stay aligned with the future of enterprise architecture.

Learn more about migrating IBM i applications to the cloud in this recorded webinar.

Conclusion

MACH architecture gives organizations a modern, flexible foundation for building digital systems that can evolve without heavy disruption. It supports faster delivery, easier integrations, and long-term scalability—without forcing a complete overhaul on day one. With the right strategy and guidance, any enterprise can take a phased, low-risk path toward a more composable future.

If you all are ready to explore what MACH could mean for your business, we’re here to help. LANSA Professional Services can guide your teams through modernization, API development, cloud alignment, and integration with your existing IBM i or enterprise systems.

Start planning your MACH journey today. Contact us to consult with our experts for free and explore modernization solutions built for real enterprise needs.

References

[1]: ProcessMaker. “Composable Enterprise: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?” ProcessMaker Blog. 2024. Available: https://www.processmaker.com/blog/the-composable-enterprise/

[2]: Zippia. “Cloud Adoption Statistics.” Zippia. 2025. Available: https://www.zippia.com/advice/cloud-adoption-statistics/

[3]: MACH Alliance. “MACH Is Making an Impact.” MACH Alliance Insights Hub. 2024. Available: https://machalliance.org/insights-hub/mach-is-making-an-impact

The post MACH Architecture Explained: Build Faster, Scale Smarter appeared first on LANSA.

What Is Natural Language Query (NLQ)?

Natural Language Query (NLQ) is a business intelligence technology that allows users to ask questions in simple, everyday language and receive quick insights from their data. Instead of writing SQL (Structured Query Language) or navigating complex dashboards, users can directly type a question like, “Show me monthly revenue trends,” and get immediate answers. As a result, many analytics barriers disappear. Teams can explore data and make decisions with less effort.

Watch how it works: LANSA BI – Natural Language Query – 5 Minute Demo

Today’s NLQ systems are also far more advanced than early keyword-based tools. Thanks to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Natural Language Understanding (NLU), and Large Language Models (LLMs), modern NLQ tools now understand both intent and context, rather than relying solely on exact keywords.^[1] Consequently, these systems can interpret complex questions, map them to the right fields, and generate accurate results. Because of these capabilities, NLQ has become a core part of self-service analytics, helping more users work confidently with data.

In addition, Natural Language Queries are now integrated into many BI environments to support everyday tasks, reduce analyst workloads, and expedite reporting cycles. As data ecosystems become increasingly complex, NLQ offers a simpler and more intuitive way for users to interact with large datasets.

Related article: How to Integrate BI into IBM i Applications

Benefits of NLQ: Why Is Natural Language Querying Important

Natural Language Querying is important because it removes long-standing barriers that prevent business users from accessing and understanding data. By simplifying how stakeholders interact with analytics systems, NLQ helps organizations move faster, reduce reliance on technical teams, and make data-driven decisions more accessible across the business.

1. Enables Self-Service Analytics
   Non-technical users can explore data independently without needing to learn SQL or understand complex database structures. This reduces repetitive requests to analysts and IT teams and allows technical resources to focus on more specialized, high-value work.
2. Expands BI Adoption
   Natural Language Query feels familiar because it works like search engines and chat-based programs. This familiarity helps users overcome intimidation and confusion when faced with overwhelming data or complex technology.
3. Accelerates Insights
   Users can review data-backed answers in seconds instead of waiting hours or days for BI reporting. Faster access to information helps decision-makers across departments — including operations, finance, sales, and marketing — respond more quickly to emerging issues or opportunities. These insights support better performance, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and competitive agility.

Overall, NLQ helps organizations build a stronger data culture, with employees becoming more confident in using data and applying insights to their daily work.

How Does NLQ Support Business Intelligence

Natural Language Query introduces a simpler way to extract business intelligence. Instead of relying only on predefined dashboards or static reports, users can ask questions and immediately generate visual results from the available data. This allows decision-makers to investigate performance metrics, explore trends, and analyze specific business dimensions such as regions, time periods, or product lines without waiting for new reports to be created.

In AI-powered BI environments, NLQ works alongside automated analytics that continuously analyze data for patterns, anomalies, and emerging trends. When the system identifies unusual activity or notable changes, users can investigate the underlying drivers by asking targeted questions about the data. AI capabilities can also analyze the results of NLQ queries to highlight key contributors, explain changes in performance, or summarize important findings that support faster and more informed decisions.

LANSA BI supports all of these capabilities and allows NLQ to be embedded directly into existing business applications. This enables decision-makers to access data and insights within the systems they already use to manage operations. Visualizations generated from NLQ queries can be added to a business intelligence dashboard to monitor key metrics or incorporated into data stories to provide narrative context around trends.

Related article: How to Get Real-Time Insights with LANSA BI

How Does NLQ Help Analytics Users

Natural Language Querying simplifies several technical steps that traditionally exist between a user and the data they want to analyze. In conventional BI workflows, retrieving an answer often requires locating the correct dataset, selecting the appropriate metrics and dimensions, defining filters, and structuring a query before results can be visualized.^[2] NLQ automates much of this process. The system interprets the user’s question, maps the request to the relevant fields in the data model, constructs the query, and returns the results as charts or tables.

For operational users, NLQ removes the need to navigate complex data models or understand how metrics are structured within the analytics system. Instead of selecting measures, defining grouping logic, and configuring filters, users can describe the information they need using business terms. The system translates that request into the underlying query logic and generates the visualization automatically.

For analysts, NLQ simplifies the process of retrieving and validating data during exploratory analysis. Analysts can quickly test questions, review different aggregations, or examine specific segments without manually writing queries or rebuilding visualizations. This allows them to move faster during early stages of analysis and focus their efforts on deeper investigation, modeling, and interpretation.

For executives and decision-makers, NLQ reduces the steps required to access specific performance indicators. Rather than navigating multiple dashboards or requesting new reports, leaders can directly query the data to review metrics, investigate trends, or examine changes across business dimensions.

By automating query construction, metric selection, and visualization generation, NLQ reduces the technical steps involved in accessing business intelligence while still allowing users to interact directly with enterprise data.

What are the Differences Between NLQ, NLP, and NLU?

Although these terms are often used together in discussions about AI-powered analytics, they refer to different technologies that work at different stages of language processing.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the broad field of artificial intelligence that enables computers to process and analyze human language. It includes techniques for breaking down text, identifying grammar and sentence structure, recognizing keywords, and processing language input in a way machines can understand. NLP forms the technical foundation for many language-based technologies, including chatbots, translation tools, and voice assistants.

Natural Language Understanding (NLU) is a specialized area within NLP that focuses on interpreting meaning and intent. While NLP processes the structure of language, NLU attempts to determine what the user actually means. It analyzes context, relationships between words, and business terminology to interpret a user’s request accurately. In analytics systems, NLU helps determine which metrics, dimensions, or datasets a user is referring to when asking a questions.

Natural Language Querying (NLQ) applies these technologies within business intelligence systems. It allows users to ask questions about their data using everyday language and receive results from analytics datasets. NLQ relies on NLP to process the language input and NLU to interpret the user’s intent, then translates the request into a structured query that retrieves the appropriate data. In this way, NLQ serves as the user-facing capability that makes conversational data access possible within BI platforms.

Types of Natural Language Queries — What are the Types of NLQ

Natural Language Queries can be implemented in several ways, depending on how the BI platform interprets user questions and guides data exploration. The three most common approaches are search-based NLQ, guided NLQ, and AI-driven NLQ.

• Search-Based NLQ  – allows users to type questions into a search bar that matches keywords with elements in the underlying database. Many BI platforms include this type of NLQ directly in their user interface, enabling users to enter a question and receive a quick answer based on the available data.However, capabilities vary widely between systems. Some platforms support only a limited set of keywords or data types, while others may restrict the volume or complexity of data that can be queried. In addition, search-based NLQ tools often provide little guidance on how to structure queries, which can make it difficult for users to know what questions the system will understand.
• Guided NLQ –  helps users construct more accurate queries by offering structured options that align with the platform’s data model and business rules. Instead of relying entirely on free-text input, the system presents selectable prompts that guide users step by step.For example, a user looking for information about customers in a particular area might begin by selecting “Customers.” The system may then present follow-up options such as “living within,” “onboarded before,” “onboarded after,” or “doing business with us for.” After choosing “living within,” the system may provide additional categories, such as geographic ranges or predefined customer segments. By guiding the query process, this approach helps users ask more precise questions and retrieve relevant insights.

Related article: Extracting Insights with Guided NLQ

• AI-Driven NLQ – uses artificial intelligence to interpret questions written in everyday language. Rather than relying solely on keywords or predefined prompts, the system analyzes the full meaning of the question to determine what the user wants to know. A user can ask a detailed question without understanding how the data is structured, and the system will identify the intent, generate the appropriate query, and return the results automatically. AI-powered NLQ can also recommend follow-up questions, explain results in simple terms, and guide users through deeper data exploration. Because it can interpret longer and more conversational questions, this approach supports a broader range of analytics users—from experienced analysts to occasional business users—while making data exploration more accessible across the organization.

What are Some Examples & Applications of Natural Language Queries?

Natural Language Query can support many industries and use cases, including:

Healthcare
In healthcare, clinicians can ask questions like, “Show patient admissions by risk category.” They can also explore trends in length of stay, treatment outcomes, or daily patient volume. With NLQ, they no longer need to open multiple dashboards or run manual reports. Instead, they receive clear answers in seconds, which helps them make faster and more informed decisions about patient care.

Retail
Retail teams can explore purchasing patterns, stock levels, and seasonal trends. They can also check which products sell the fastest, which items are running low, and which promotions perform well. With NLQ, they get these insights without digging through long dashboards. As a result, planning and forecasting improve when data is updated regularly.

Financial Services
In financial services, analysts can spot fraud indicators or review credit risk. With NLQ, they can also check transaction patterns, customer behavior, and unusual account activity in seconds. This gives them faster and clearer insights, which helps speed up risk evaluation processes and strengthens overall compliance.

Manufacturing
Manufacturing teams can track production delays, monitor equipment issues, and review output through simple Natural Language Queries. As a result, they gain quicker visibility into operational performance and can respond to issues before they affect output.

Education Platforms
Education administrators can track enrollment numbers, monitor learning progress, and review performance results with NLQ. This gives them quick access to key metrics without digging through multiple systems or spreadsheets. As a result, they spend less time on manual reporting and more time improving learning outcomes.

The Challenges of Natural Language Query Adoption

While Natural Language Query has advanced significantly, organizations may still face several challenges when adopting the technology.

1. Complex Query Handling
   Some NLQ systems still struggle with complex or layered questions. When phrasing is unclear or multiple conditions are combined, older tools may misinterpret the request. This can lead to incomplete, misleading, or inaccurate results.
2. Data Modeling and Storage Limitations
   NLQ performs best when the underlying data is clean, structured, and well-modeled. However, many organizations still operate with fragmented datasets or outdated data models. When data structures are inconsistent, the system may return confusing or incorrect answers. As a result, strong data modeling remains a critical requirement for reliable NLQ performance.
3. Transparency and Trust
   Users often want to understand how an NLQ system interpreted their question. When the logic behind the result is not visible, confidence in the output may decrease. Small changes in phrasing can also produce different results, which can create uncertainty for users who rely on the data for decision-making.
4. User Resistance and Habits
   For users who are accustomed to traditional dashboards or manual SQL queries, adopting NLQ can initially feel unfamiliar. However, with proper training and experience, many users recognize that NLQ can accelerate analysis and reduce repetitive reporting tasks.

What is LANSA BI and How Can it Benefit Your Business?

LANSA BI is a business intelligence platform that helps organizations process data, uncover insights, and analyze results for day-to-day operations and decision making. It enables teams to explore business performance, identify trends, and communicate findings through clear visual outputs. The platform includes built-in Natural Language Queries (NLQ), along with interactive dashboards, data stories, assisted insight generation, and BI automation that simplify how insights are generated and shared across the business.

LANSA BI connects to data from a wide range of enterprise systems, allowing organizations to bring information from different sources into a single analytics environment. It also supports embedded analytics within applications, including those running on IBM i, enabling insights to appear directly inside operational systems where work takes place. This flexibility makes the platform suitable for organizations across many industries, whether they are replacing legacy reporting tools with a modern analytics platform or implementing business intelligence capabilities for the first time. LANSA’s BI experts also support customers with legacy report migration and overall analytics delivery to ensure timely and successful implementation.

Related article: JDBC-Based Db2 Integration from LANSA

Final Words

Natural Language Query is changing how organizations interact with their data. By allowing users to ask questions in plain language and receive immediate answers, NLQ removes many of the technical steps that once made analytics difficult to access. As businesses generate larger volumes of data and decision cycles accelerate, tools that simplify data exploration become increasingly important. Platforms that combine NLQ with modern analytics capabilities give teams a practical way to investigate performance, uncover trends, and turn information into action more efficiently.

Organizations interested in exploring these capabilities further can see how NLQ works in practice through LANSA BI. Contact us for a private demonstration or book a free consultation with our experts about your business intelligence requirements.

References
[1] “How does an LLM handle ambiguous or multi-purpose tools? | Milvus.”
https://milvus.io/ai-quick-reference/how-does-an-llm-handle-ambiguous-or-multipurpose-tools

[2] “The Data Warehouse Toolkit: The Definitive Guide to Dimensional Modeling | Ralph Kimball & Margy Ross.”
https://ia801609.us.archive.org/14/items/the-data-warehouse-toolkit-kimball/The%20Data%20Warehouse%20Toolkit%20-%20Kimball.pdf

[3] “Natural Language Processing (Computer Science) | Britannica.”
https://www.britannica.com/technology/natural-language-processing-computer-science

[4] “Natural Language Processing (NLP) | IBM.”
https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/natural-language-processing

[5] “Natural Language Understanding (NLU) | IBM.”
https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/natural-language-understanding

The post What is Natural Language Querying (NLQ)? An In-Depth Guide appeared first on LANSA.

With just a few clicks, users get a fully configured Windows stack that includes:

• Load balancer, web servers, and a database server
• High availability and fault tolerance across multiple data centers
• Automated installation, upgrades, patching, Windows Updates, and scaling

Release Highlights

The AWS LANSA Scalable License provides both an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) and a CloudFormation template, giving you everything you need to get up and running quickly.

Note: Works with Visual LANSA V15 and V16 on Windows 2019. Support for Windows 2022 and Windows 2025 is underway.

CloudFormation Stack (Easy Setup)

Create a complete LANSA environment (load balancer, EC2 web servers, EC2 database server) with built-in high availability and automated install, updates, patching, and scaling.

Just fill in a few parameters and launch.

Production-ready AMI (64-bit, x86)

Get a Windows AMI optimised for LANSA applications built with the Visual LANSA IDE. The CloudFormation stack uses this image to launch the required EC2 instances.

Note: Running the AMI by itself isn’t recommended for production

Subscription-Based Scalable License

Delivered as a subscription, the AWS LANSA Scalable License allows you to modernize or expand without re-architecture and significant upfront investment, only aligning spend with actual usage.

Why choose the AWS LANSA Scalable License?

Unlike general-purpose AWS templates, the LANSA Scalable License is a pre-architected, LANSA-specific deployment integrated with the Visual LANSA development workflow. It simplifies setup, accelerates deployment, and ensures optimal performance and compatibility for LANSA workloads.

Resilient and scalable by design

High availability, fault tolerance, and automatic scaling help applications respond to changing demand.

Faster, simpler deployments

A prescriptive CloudFormation path means you can stand up a full LANSA stack quickly without stitching together components.

Less ongoing maintenance

Automated installation, upgrades, patching, and Windows Updates reduce routine post-go-live work.

Ready for production and growth

Maintain cost efficiency with a subscription-based licensing designed for production workloads that scale automatically.

How To Get Started

Ready to deploy your LANSA web, mobile, or desktop application to AWS?

1. Subscribe to the LANSA Scalable License Windows 2019 (Japanese version available here).
2. Upload your LANSA WAM Application MSI to AWS BLOB storage – S3 and obtain the URL of the MSI.
3. Use the AWS CloudFormation console to create a scalable LANSA stack using the template URL provided above.
4. Enter parameters as prompted, such as Parameter 01 = MSI S3 URL, required passwords, EC2 key pair name, and the CIDR block for remote access. The first 8 parameters are sufficient for a working stack; the rest are for tuning and maintenance in production.

For more information, please refer to the LANSA Amazon Web Services Tutorial or log in to the Support Portal for help.

Our Professional Services team is also available to assist if you’re currently running an older version of LANSA and want to modernize on-premise deployments securely. Contact your Account Manager or submit this form to get started.

The post Scale Your LANSA Applications in the Cloud with AWS appeared first on LANSA.

What’s New in this Release

.NET 8 (LTS) compatibility

LANSA Open V5.2 now supports .NET 8. You can now compile and run your LANSA Open for .NET solutions targeting net8.0, keeping your projects current with Microsoft’s latest supported platform. .NET 8 delivers enhanced performance, security, and long-term stability, ensuring your integration layer remains future-ready.

Visual Studio 2022 readiness

Full compatibility with Visual Studio 2022, in addition to existing support for VS 2017 and 2019. Developers can build, debug, and deploy LANSA Open projects in the newest IDE environment. The upgrade enables use of Visual Studio 2022 features such as improved IntelliSense, advanced debugging, and better multi-targeting, while maintaining the same LANSA repository workflows.

Same APIs, same developer experience

LANSA Open V5.2 introduces full .NET 8 compatibility without changing the existing APIs, class structures, or repository access patterns. You can upgrade to .NET 8 and Visual Studio 2022 without refactoring or relearning anything. All of your existing LANSA Open for .NET code such as repository rules, IBM i access logic, data models, and server function calls, continues to work exactly as before.

Why Upgrade to V5.2 (.NET 8)

Supported & secure

Move to a modern LTS runtime while preserving LANSA Open’s encrypted, compressed client-server communication and rigorous IBM i security checks.

Developer velocity

Benefit from .NET 8 and VS 2022 improvements while retaining your existing LANSA Open workflow.

Low-risk path

No code model changes required. Retarget to net8.0 and keep your repository rules, server function calls, and data access patterns intact.

Operational consistency

Stay “tight, fast, secure”: native record-level Db2 access, central business rules and validations from the LANSA Repository, faster than ODBC, and no IBM i/Db2/LANSA expertise required for .NET developers.

How to install LANSA Open V5.2 for .NET 8?

To download LANSA Open V5.2 for .NET 8, simply log in to the Support Portal or contact your Account Manager.

For technical steps and examples, refer to the LANSA Open for .NET documentation and quick start materials included in the build package.

About LANSA Open for .NET

LANSA Open for .NET is a Visual Studio extension and toolset that lets Windows/.NET developers access LANSA Repository objects (tables, server functions, validation rules, multilingual texts) directly from C# or VB.NET projects.

You design a LANSA data model and LANSA Open generates the .NET classes and methods behind the scenes, making coding faster and less error-prone with IntelliSense.

Contact us to learn more and discuss your modernization requirements with our experts for free.

The post LANSA Open V5.2: Modern .NET 8 Runtime, Same Repository-Driven Integration appeared first on LANSA.

What’s New in this Release

Driven by valuable customer feedback and requests, aXes 4.2.2 introduces modern authentication, enhanced security, improved UI/UX, and greater reliability. Highlights include:

Modern Authentication with OAuth 2.0

aXes now supports OAuth 2.0 and XOAUTH 2.0 authentication for SMTP, POP, and IMAP services. This ensures compatibility with modern email providers like Microsoft 365, while providing stronger, token-based security that eliminates reliance on static passwords for business applications.

Secure Credential Handling in ProgramCall()

To enhance security and compliance, aXes now supports token mapping in ProgramCall. This enhancement keeps sensitive credentials protected during authentication and ensures safer communication across integrations.

Dynamic Theme Switching

Administrators and developers can now change Material Design themes programmatically, making it easy to customise the look and feel of applications. This flexibility allows organisations to adapt the UI with their branding or user preferences without redevelopment.

Smarter Screen Resizing

aXes screens now adapt automatically when the browser window size changes, providing a smoother and more consistent experience across desktops, laptops, and different display environments easily.

Enhanced System Reliability & User Experience

aXes 4.2.2 delivers smoother workflows for both administrators and end users, featuring highly requested enhancements that improve consistency, strengthen stability, and refine the user interface.

For a complete list of enhancements and fixes, please refer to the Release Notes.

How to Install aXes 4.2.2?

aXes 4.2.2 is available on both the aXes download site and the LANSA Support Portal.

For technical steps and examples, please refer to the documentation. You can also chat with LANSA AI or our Support Team for guidance.

If you’re new to aXes, don’t hesitate to contact sales@lansa.com or your Account Manager to get started.

The post aXes 4.2.2: 40+ Enhancements for Modern Security, Seamless User Experiences, and More appeared first on LANSA.

LANSA Integrator helps developers deliver these integrated and automated workflows by managing the critical connections between Visual LANSA applications and external systems, including secure email communications. With the new EPC150058 release, those communications get a security upgrade: built-in OAuth 2.0 authentication for SMTP, POP3, and IMAP email services.

Jump to more details: What’s new in LANSA Integrator EPC150058.

This enhancement replaces or complements older Basic Authentication methods with modern, token-based security — ensuring your automated email workflows stay secure, compliant, and ready for the future.

Why OAuth 2.0 Authentication Matters

OAuth 2.0 uses short-lived, scoped tokens that grant access without exposing long-lived credentials, significantly reducing the risk of credential theft. As the industry shifts away from Basic Auth (static username/password authentication) for email services, LANSA Integrator 150058 helps make the transition simple and sustainable. Fully compatible with Microsoft 365, it aligns LANSA applications with modern security standards and evolving provider requirements.

What’s New in LANSA Integrator EPC150058

OAuth 2.0 Authentication is now available in:

• SMTPMailService – Send emails with support for attachments, encryption, and flexible configuration options — now with OAuth 2.0 authentication.
• POP3MailService – Securely receive and process messages using token-based authentication via POP3.
• IMAPMailService (NEW) – Access and manage mailboxes with robust IMAP functionality using OAuth 2.0 tokens.
• SMTPMailAttachmentSignatureService – Send digitally signed emails with attachments securely through token-based authentication.

With OAuth 2.0 built directly into LANSA Integrator’s email services, you can upgrade to a more secure authentication method and keep automated processes running smoothly.

Update to Integrator EPC150058 Now

Simply download LANSA Integrator EPC150058 from the Support Portal and refer to the documentation for guidance on IMAPMailService, POP3MailService, SMTPMailService, and SMTPMailAttachmentSignatureService. Remember, you can always chat with our AI Assistant for help —  it’s available 24/7!

Note: Support for OAuth 2.0 is also available by default in Visual LANSA 16. Contact your Account Manager to explore your upgrade options while limited-time offers are still available.

Just Getting Started?

LANSA Integrator works with Visual LANSA to streamline your development stack and accelerate the delivery of custom business applications. Build to your specific needs with less coding, while eliminating the complexity of integrations and automations. Here are some examples of enterprise-grade solutions we can help you deliver:

• ERP-Integrated Order Management Systems – Process online and offline orders automatically, update inventory in real time, and send confirmations without manual intervention.
• Automated Claims Processing Platforms – Receive claims via secure email, extract data, and route it through review and approval workflows.
• Compliance-Driven Document Portals – Deliver contracts, policies, and other regulated documents with secure, digitally signed email integration.
• Supply Chain Tracking Systems – Integrate supplier updates, shipping notifications, and inventory adjustments into a single, automated platform.
• Customer Service Request Platforms – Capture and route customer inquiries from multiple channels, trigger automated responses, and update case records instantly.

Talk to us to discuss your requirements and explore how we can help bring your automated solutions to life.

The post Secure Automations: LANSA Integrator Adds OAuth 2.0 for Email Services appeared first on LANSA.

From warehouse robotics to automated order processing, modern automation tools reduce manual effort, enhance visibility, and build resilience across operations. Organizations can streamline workflows, integrate legacy systems, and enable real-time data-driven decisions without long development cycles or costly rip-and-replace strategies.

Key Insights

1. Understand supply chain automation: It involves using digital tools like AI, robotics, and low-code platforms to streamline processes across inventory, warehousing, logistics, and procurement with minimal human intervention.
2. Benefits of automation: Businesses see faster operations, reduced labor costs, improved accuracy, better customer experiences, and enhanced supply chain visibility across partners and systems.
3. Real-world applications: From inventory and warehouse automation to logistics and customer service, real-world applications of supply chain automation are streamlining operations, reducing manual effort, and enabling faster, more accurate decision-making.
4. Stay future-ready: Trends like ESG compliance, AI-driven forecasting, labor shortages, and disruption planning are shaping the next wave of supply chain automation, pushing companies to modernize for resilience and intelligence.
5. Leverage LANSA’s low-code suite: Tools like Visual LANSA, LANSA Composer, and LANSA BI simplify automation, integrate legacy systems, and drive data-driven decisions, without requiring costly rip-and-replace upgrades.

Read on to know more.

What is Supply Chain Automation?

Supply chain automation refers to the use of digital technologies, such as software, sensors, robotics, and artificial intelligence, to streamline and optimize supply chain operations with minimal human intervention. It enables businesses to automate repetitive and manual tasks across procurement, inventory management, logistics, order fulfillment, and more. This includes low code automation platforms that make it easier to digitize processes without heavy development overhead. In fact, manufacturing companies automate 35% of workflows using low‑code solutions, making supply chains faster and more responsive The goal is to increase efficiency, improve accuracy, and enhance end-to-end visibility across supply chain networks. 

The evolution of supply chains has moved steadily from paper-based processes and siloed systems to highly integrated, technology-driven ecosystems. In the past, managing inventory or processing shipments relied heavily on manual entry, phone calls, and spreadsheets. Today, automation technologies can trigger replenishment orders, reroute shipments, or update customers in real-time, all without human involvement. This shift is not only about speed and efficiency but also about enabling smarter, data-informed decisions and creating agile systems that can adapt to unexpected disruptions, such as global pandemics or geopolitical events.

Why is Supply Chain Automation Needed?

With the rise of global disruptions, evolving customer expectations, and increasing system complexity, traditional supply chains are under pressure. Automation is no longer optional—it’s a strategic necessity for enhancing efficiency, reducing errors, and building resilient, future-ready operations. Let’s find out how automation helps overcome today’s challenges and unlocks long-term supply chain success. 

Enhance Efficiency and Reduce Errors

Automating repetitive tasks, such as inventory updates, order confirmations, and shipment tracking, reduces the risk of human error and speeds up routine processes. This not only improves accuracy but also allows teams to focus on higher-value work that drives strategic growth.

Overcome Limitations of Current Systems

Many organizations still rely on outdated or disconnected systems that create data silos and inefficiencies. Supply chain automation addresses these issues by integrating legacy tools, standardizing workflows, and enabling seamless data exchange across departments and partners. Instead of costly system overhauls, platforms like Visual LANSA’s low-code automation solution support API-first development to modernize operations quickly—without replacing your entire tech stack.

Better Scenario Planning

Let’s face it, unexpected events like COVID-19, sudden supply disruptions, or shifts in consumer demand highlight the need for agile supply chains. Automation supports proactive scenario planning by providing real-time data, predictive analytics, and faster decision-making, allowing businesses to pivot with confidence.

Key Benefits of Supply Chain Automation

As global supply chains become more complex and data-driven, automation is no longer optional; it’s a strategic necessity. From cost savings to improved customer satisfaction, automating core processes unlocks a range of operational and competitive advantages that traditional systems simply can’t match. Read on to find out some of the major benefits of supply chain automation.

More Transparent IT Systems & Operations

Since automation provides real-time visibility into every stage of the supply chain, from procurement to delivery, it eliminates data silos and enables centralized monitoring, helping teams make faster, data-backed decisions.

Enhanced Customer Experience & Satisfaction

With accurate order tracking, faster fulfillment, and fewer delays, customers enjoy a smoother, more reliable experience. Automation also enables proactive communication and personalized service at scale.

Reduced Operational Costs

By minimizing manual effort and streamlining workflows, supply chain automation cuts down labor costs, reduces errors, and lowers overhead. Moreover, it also improves resource allocation, which directly impacts the bottom line.

Faster Operations

Tasks that once took hours, like processing orders or updating inventory, can now be completed in minutes. Automation accelerates the overall supply chain cycle, increasing responsiveness and delivery speed.

Improved Data Security

Automated systems are less prone to human errors that can lead to data breaches. With built-in controls, audit trails, and compliance features, automation strengthens supply chain data integrity and security.

Increased Productivity

Last but certainly not least, automation allows employees to focus on strategic and high-impact work rather than repetitive tasks. This boosts overall output, shortens lead times, and enhances team efficiency.

Examples of Supply Chain Automation

Automation spans every stage of the supply chain, from procurement and production to logistics and customer service, reshaping how organizations manage complexity and scale operations. These technologies reduce manual workloads, enable real-time data flow across systems, and help companies adapt quickly to changing market demands. The following areas highlight where automation is creating measurable improvements in speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency.

Warehouse Automation

From robotic pick-and-pack systems to conveyor belts and autonomous forklifts, warehouse automation boosts throughput and accuracy. These technologies reduce human error, enhance safety, and enable faster handling of large order volumes, especially during peak seasons.

Manufacturing Automation

Automation in manufacturing includes programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robotics, and machine vision systems that ensure consistent quality and reduced downtime. Smart manufacturing also enables predictive maintenance, improving equipment lifespan and minimizing unexpected disruptions.

Transportation and Logistics Automation

Automation in transportation and logistics helps streamline complex processes like shipment scheduling, load optimization, and real-time vehicle tracking. These tools reduce delays, improve delivery accuracy, and ensure better coordination across carriers, warehouses, and distribution centers.

Inventory Management

Automated inventory systems use real-time data, barcode scanning, and IoT-enabled sensors to provide accurate visibility into stock levels, reduce shrinkage, and improve reordering efficiency. This minimizes stockouts and overstock scenarios, improving overall supply chain responsiveness.

Order Processing Automation

Automated order management systems streamline everything from purchase order creation to invoicing. This reduces manual data entry, speeds up the sales cycle, and improves order accuracy, critical in maintaining customer satisfaction in high-volume operations. Tools like LANSA Composer make this process even more efficient by enabling low-code automation of order flows across internal and external systems. It simplifies tasks like generating purchase orders, transforming data formats, and handling partner communications, all without deep coding expertise.

Office Administration Automation

Routine tasks like data entry, procurement requests, compliance reporting, and payroll are increasingly handled by robotic process automation (RPA) tools. This frees up valuable time for administrative teams and enhances consistency across internal processes.

Customer Service

Automated customer service systems, such as chatbots and intelligent IVRs, handle common queries and service requests instantly. These tools improve response time, enhance customer satisfaction, and free up human support teams to focus on high-priority or complex issues.

Future Trends in Supply Chain Automation

As global supply chains grow more complex, volatile, and digitally connected, automation is moving beyond cost-cutting to become a strategic enabler. The next wave of automation will be defined by its ability to drive resilience, sustainability, and intelligence across the supply chain. Below are the most critical trends that will shape how companies automate and modernize their supply chains in the years ahead.

Automation to Meet ESG and Sustainability Goals

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities are becoming central to supply chain strategy. In the future, automation will play a key role in enabling sustainable operations—through real-time emissions tracking, optimized resource consumption, and automated compliance reporting. These tools will empower companies to meet increasingly stringent sustainability regulations and consumer expectations.

Workforce Automation in Response to Labor Shortages

Labor shortages and an aging workforce are pressuring logistics and manufacturing sectors globally. Automation will increasingly fill these gaps by taking over manual, repetitive, or hazardous tasks, ensuring business continuity, boosting output, and maintaining safety without relying on human availability alone.

AI-Powered Decision Intelligence

Artificial intelligence will become deeply embedded in supply chain automation, driving smarter forecasting, anomaly detection, and real-time decision-making. By processing large, unstructured datasets from across the value chain, AI will power predictive models that reduce waste, optimize planning, and improve service levels.

Automation for Resilience and Scenario Planning

Future-ready supply chains must be built to withstand disruptions, from pandemics to geopolitical events and climate risks. Automation tools that support scenario modeling, digital twins, and real-time alerts will help businesses proactively simulate risks and adapt quickly to changing conditions with minimal operational fallout.

Legacy System Modernization Through Automation

The shift toward connected, API-driven infrastructure will push companies to modernize outdated ERP and supply chain systems. Automation, especially via low-code tools, will ease this transition by enabling data integration, automated workflows, and scalable system upgrades without complete rip-and-replace overhauls. To explore this topic in depth, watch this LANSA webinar on the four pillars of digital supply chain transformation.

Supply Chain Automation Tools

Modern supply chains demand integrated, scalable tools that simplify complex processes and enable seamless automation. LANSA offers a suite of solutions designed to meet these challenges across different levels of the supply chain.

Visual LANSA

Visual LANSA is a comprehensive low-code development platform that enables rapid modernization of enterprise applications. Beyond just building new solutions, it allows businesses to extend and transform legacy systems by wrapping them in modern interfaces, integrating with APIs, and enabling seamless data flow across cloud and on-premise environments. With built-in support for cloud deployment, hybrid architectures, and secure cross-platform delivery, Visual LANSA empowers organizations to digitize their supply chain operations, accelerate development cycles, and adapt quickly to evolving business needs, all without the need for a full infrastructure overhaul. For example, Distribution Solutions Inc. used Visual LANSA to automate complex backend distribution workflows, cutting down manual labor and improving operational efficiency without replacing their core systems.

LANSA Composer

LANSA Composer is a powerful process integration and automation tool that simplifies supply chain workflows without the need for extensive coding. It allows users to design and execute business processes, such as EDI handling, data transformation, and system-to-system integration. A great example is the CBH Group, which used LANSA to automate and modernize their grain supply chain operations. By leveraging LANSA Composer and low code automation, they streamlined data exchange, enhanced real-time visibility, and significantly reduced manual intervention. This helps eliminate manual data entry, reduce processing time, and ensure consistent communication between internal systems and external partners.

LANSA BI

LANSA BI brings real-time business intelligence and analytics to the forefront of supply chain management. Its intuitive dashboards and data visualizations provide actionable insights into operations, inventory levels, supplier performance, and demand fluctuations, enabling data-driven decision-making and improved forecasting. Additionally, LANSA BI can support ESG tracking by visualizing data related to emissions, energy usage, and sustainability metrics. This empowers organizations to monitor their environmental impact and align supply chain strategies with ESG goals, driving continuous improvement across both performance and compliance dimensions.

Conclusion

In today’s increasingly complex and fast-moving supply chain landscape, automation is no longer optional; it’s a strategic necessity. From minimizing manual errors and accelerating operations to enhancing end-to-end visibility, supply chain automation delivers tangible ROI across every logistics function.

With low-code platforms like Visual LANSA, building custom automation workflows, dashboards, and integration layers becomes faster, more agile, and cost-efficient. Visual LANSA empowers businesses to modernize legacy systems, create scalable supply chain applications, and embed real-time analytics, all within a unified development environment.

Complementing this, LANSA Composer simplifies B2B data exchange and process automation, while LANSA BI brings decision-making clarity with intuitive, actionable dashboards.

Ready to future-proof your supply chain? Contact us today to see how Visual LANSA and the LANSA suite can help you build intelligent, integrated automation solutions tailored to your operational goals.

References

[1]  “Supply Chain 4.0 – the next-generation digital supply chain,” McKinsey & Company, Jun. 10, 2018. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/supply-chain-40–the-next-generation-digital-supply-chain?

[2]  “120+ No-Code/Low-Code Statistics and Trends That You Need to Know in 2025,” 

Userguiding.com, 2025. https://userguiding.com/blog/no-code-low-code-statistics?

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The post Supply Chain Automation: Guide to Efficiency & Cost Cutting appeared first on LANSA.

Compose your modern e-commerce storefront your way — one flexible component at a time.

Today, July 15, we’re excited to officially offer our brand-new solution, LANSA Composable Commerce — a modular approach to deploying agile, modern storefronts. Instead of building from scratch or being boxed in by an all-in-one, off-the-shelf platform, we can compose the exact solution you need through flexible integrations.

Built on MACH architecture (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless), LANSA Composable Commerce lets you assemble your storefront from modular services that can be developed, deployed, and maintained independently.

LANSA Composable Commerce includes a pre-built React storefront with all the essentials — from product catalogs and shopping carts to checkout and beyond. It can integrate with your existing ERP, backend data sources, and best-in-class third-party tools (e.g., CMS, Search, Analytics, Personalization, AI, Marketing) for accurate information and features tailored to your business, users, and customers.

Start small and scale at your own pace through seamless integrations. Add, replace, or upgrade modules without disrupting the rest of your stack. Because each module operates independently, you can also adopt cloud on your own terms — migrating certain components while keeping others on-premise, or running a hybrid setup indefinitely. This lets you modernize gradually, take advantage of cloud scalability for high-demand features, host services closer to your customers for better performance, and plug in cloud-native innovations without risking downtime or a costly full replatform.

Get to know LANSA Composable Commerce

Designed to work with the systems you already trust — IBM i, Windows, or even a homegrown ERP — LANSA Composable Commerce turns your existing business logic and data into the foundation for a mobile- and cloud-ready React storefront.

Being in the e-commerce business for decades, LANSA modernizes its complete and reliable storefront on React (similarly used by big brands like Meta, Netflix, and Airbnb) to provide all the essential features for instant rollout along with top-notch performance.

By decoupling your front end and back end, teams can work in parallel, speeding delivery and making it easier to integrate future tools. You avoid being locked into a single vendor’s roadmap and can evolve your e-commerce experience on your terms.

With LANSA Composable Commerce, you gain:

• Speed to launch quickly and expand over time.
• Flexibility to select and integrate only the services you need.
• Future-proofing with the ability to swap or upgrade components without rebuilding everything.

Read on to explore pre-built features and available customization options.

Complete e-commerce features out of the box

LANSA Composable Commerce’s pre-built React storefront comes with all the essential e-commerce features and more:

• Product Information Management (PIM): Flexibly pull product data from one or more sources and manage it centrally, making it easy to deliver accurate, up-to-date product details across regions and channels.
  
  
  
• Content Management: Maintain full control over storefront elements like labels, categories, branding, and email content. Settings can be adjusted globally or per region, allowing for localized customer experiences that complement your PIM setup.
• Search and Merchandising: Deliver customer-friendly product discovery journeys with intuitive search, mega-menus, and merchandising tools that help users find what they need — fast.
  
  
  
• Order Management: Handle everything from shopping carts and order capture to inquiry tracking. LANSA integrates directly with your ERP to manage invoicing, fulfillment, and inventory updates in real time.
  
  
  
• Personalization: Serve personalized journeys based on customer type, location, currency, language preferences, and even visual theme (light or dark mode).
• Payment Flexibility: Accept multiple payment methods — from ERP-integrated credit and purchase orders to card payments processed via PCI and GDPR-compliant gateways.
  
  
  

LANSA Composable Commerce includes a powerful administration panel that makes it easy to manage your storefront without touching code. From product catalogs and content updates to user roles, regional settings, and promotions, your team has the control they need to keep everything running smoothly.

Done-for-you performance optimization

Performance impacts everything — from user satisfaction to search visibility and conversion rates. LANSA Composable Commerce is built to deliver fast, reliable storefront experiences across devices.

The storefront is thoughtfully designed to support an intuitive, seamless buying journey, whether users are browsing on mobile or desktop. From product discovery to checkout, every touchpoint is optimized for ease and engagement.

The storefront consistently achieves Google Lighthouse scores of 99% or higher across speed, accessibility (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Americans with Disabilities Act), mobile usability, and search engine optimization.

Security and compliance are addressed with enterprise-grade measures, including identity and access management (IAM), tokenization, data encryption, and audit logging, helping you protect sensitive data and meet regulatory requirements from day one.

Ready to integrate with the old and the new

Evolve with changing business requirements, marketing strategies, and technology trends through extensible integrations. Whether you’re connecting to established enterprise software or adopting emerging cloud-native solutions, the architecture ensures all components work together without disruption. Below is a quick list of some of the best integrations possible.

• ERP Systems: Connect with SAP, Oracle JD Edwards, Infor, or custom homegrown enterprise resource planning solutions.
• Content Management Systems (CMS): Pull structured data from platforms like Salsify, Contentful, Akeneo, Tibco, and Informatica.
• Search Engines: Plug in modern search tools like Algolia, Solr, Typesense and Elasticsearch for fast, scalable results.
• Analytics and Insights: Use Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, or LANSA Business Intelligence to monitor behavior, traffic, and performance.

Looking for specific integrations? Discuss your requirements with our experts now.

Backed by experts, customizable to your needs

Your business is unique, and your storefront should reflect that. LANSA Composable Commerce is flexible enough to meet your technical requirements and business goals, and our Professional Services team is here to help you get it done.

The solution supports deployment on IBM i, Windows, or in the Azure and AWS cloud via Docker containers, giving you options for scalability, resilience, and global distribution. Whether you are launching a consumer-facing store, building a portal for distributors, or doing both, LANSA helps you go live with confidence.

Our team has helped hundreds of organizations across industries successfully launch or modernize their e-commerce channels. Here are just a few examples of tailored delivery:

• Beauty and Fashion: Deliver dynamic promotions, personalized shopping experiences, and mobile-friendly catalogs.
• Food and Beverage: Support recurring orders, manage perishable inventory, and customize regional delivery options with seasonal promotions.
• Travel and Hospitality: Create personalized booking flows with real-time availability and backend integration for pricing, rules, and loyalty programs.
• Manufacturing: Empower dealers and distributors to view real-time stock and pricing, and place orders directly through the portal.
• Wholesale Distribution: Allow business buyers to automate high-volume ordering, manage pricing tiers, and streamline purchasing.
• Healthcare Supplies: Offer a secure, compliant platform for clinical or hospital supply chains, with accurate data and ERP integration.

Ready to launch your storefront?

With LANSA Composable Commerce, you get a complete, modern storefront that works with your existing systems and evolves as your business grows. It significantly cuts down the time required to get your business online without sacrificing any of the critical elements: user experience, e-commerce functionality, security, and performance. Our Professional Services team can help turn your vision into reality. Whether you need end-to-end or guided implementation, we’re here to fast-track your project and minimize risks.

Consult your e-commerce project with our experts for free, and let’s build you a POC.

Explore LANSA Composable Commerce for your business

Discuss your e-commerce requirements with our experts for free. We can start you on a proof of concept (POC) to help evaluate the best-fit solution for your needs. Submit the form below to book your free consultation today. We will help you define the scope of your project, compose your e-commerce stack, and bring your custom platform to life.

The post NEW! LANSA Composable Commerce: Complete and Legacy-Compatible Storefront, Done for You appeared first on LANSA.

Visual LANSA 16 has officially landed, and we cannot wait to see what you build with it. This release is packed with features that make it easier to extend, integrate, and scale your business-critical applications for better performance and efficiency.

Download Visual LANSA 16 from the Support Portal now.

New to LANSA? Request a free trial here.

Empower IBM i Modernization and Cross-Platform Innovation

Technology is moving fast, and development teams are under more pressure than ever to keep up. That is why we designed Visual LANSA 16 to help you break free from technical debt and close the gap between legacy infrastructure and today’s digital ecosystem.

By making it easier to transform tightly coupled applications into modular services, V16 helps you connect with modern front-end tools, roll out new functionality faster, and support cloud-ready architectures. With V16, you no longer have to choose between stability and agility. You get the best of IBM i along with the flexibility to support rapid growth.

Whether you are upgrading from a previous version or just getting started with LANSA, V16 offers a clear and low-risk path forward. Read on to discover our favorite features.

What’s New in Visual LANSA 16?

Every modernization journey looks different. Some businesses are deepening their investments in IBM i, while others are expanding into Windows or cloud platforms like Azure. At LANSA, we have supported hundreds of transformation projects, and with Visual LANSA 16, we are making it even easier to modernize at your own pace, whichever direction you take.

Native REST APIs: For Modular, API-First Transformation

Many IBM i applications are still built as tightly coupled systems, which makes them hard to extend or integrate. For teams taking an incremental approach to modernization, the key is unlocking business logic without rewriting it.

Visual LANSA 16 enhances native REST API support, so you can:

• Expose core IBM i logic as modular, reusable services
• Connect directly with modern frameworks like React and Vue
• Transition to MACH (microservices, API-first, cloud and headless) architectures

Along with this release, our Professional Services team is also offering free consultations to help you break apart monolithic applications and move toward more flexible, service-oriented systems while keeping IBM i at the center. Book a call now.

WebView2 Support: For Embedded Web in Windows Applications

With native support for WebView2, V16 allows you to embed modern web content directly into LANSA-built Windows applications.

This makes it easy to integrate:

• Interactive web forms (e.g. multi-step inputs, dynamic validation, responsive layouts)
• LANSA BI reports, dashboards, and self-service analytics tools
• Other dynamic components (e.g. calendars, location maps, document viewers)

Leverage WebView2 to quickly enhance your application’s interface, improve the overall user experience, and introduce new functionality with less coding.

Azure-Compatible Licensing: For Strategic Cloud and Hybrid Deployments

More organizations are shifting to hybrid and cloud-native infrastructure. Visual LANSA 16 introduces Azure-compatible licensing updates to help support the transition.

With this update, you can:

• Deploy LANSA in Azure or hybrid environments using your own infrastructure and custom images
• Align licensing with actual usage and cloud-friendly cost models
• Run IBM i-connected applications alongside cloud-native services

This gives you the agility to scale confidently, adapt to changing infrastructure needs, and manage costs with greater control.

OAuth 2.0 Support: For Secure, Standards-Based Email Authentication

With built-in support for OAuth 2.0, you can now secure email communications using modern, token-based authentication methods.

With this feature, you can:

• Authenticate your email (SMTP and POP3) using OAuth 2.0 tokens
• Eliminate stored passwords in favor of time-limited credentials
• Reduce your exposure to data breaches and simplify access management

This gives you a safer, more manageable way to handle authentication across LANSA-powered systems.

Push Notifications: For Real-Time Updates That Boost Engagement

Users expect immediate visibility into what matters — whether that is an approval, a system alert, or a status update. Real-time feedback is now essential to delivering a responsive, modern experience.

With this update, you can:

• Trigger real-time push notifications from client to server
• Alert users to important events without manual refresh or polling
• Send updates from validated server events to maintain data integrity

This gives developers a direct way to deliver time-sensitive updates, boost engagement, and streamline communication across applications.

IDE Enhancements: For Faster, Smoother Developer Experience

Visual LANSA 16 delivers over 80 enhancements to make your development experience faster, easier, and more intuitive.

Highlights include:

• A refreshed toolbar and iconography to modernize your experience
• Smarter autocomplete that adapts to your coding context
• Faster and more accurate field and component search

• New keyboard shortcuts for common actions and workflows
• Simplified debugging with clearer error messages and trace support
• Improved Git integration for better version control within the IDE

We hope these updates help reduce friction, increase productivity, and enhance efficiency in your team.

Notice: End of Support for Visual LANSA 14 and Earlier

With the launch of V16, support for V14 and earlier ends today, except where current agreements apply. Talk to your Account Manager now to explore your options and plan your upgrade.

By moving to V16, you gain access to all the new features, ensure your applications continue to perform at their best, and minimize risks to your business continuity.

Refer to the Support Site for more information.

Upgrade with Confidence with LANSA Professional Services

Upgrading IBM i environments takes careful planning. Our Professional Services team is ready to help you make the move while avoiding disruption.

Our services include:

• Environment assessments and modernization roadmaps
• Structured upgrade planning and implementation
• Ongoing support and performance tuning

Whether you are coming from V15 or earlier, we will make sure your upgrade puts you on solid ground.

Ready to plan your upgrade? Start with a free audit today.

Modernize on Your Terms

Visual LANSA 16 is made for teams that want to move forward without rebuilding from scratch. Whether you are extending your IBM i, building in Windows, or scaling into the cloud, this release gives you the flexibility, control, and support to modernize on your own terms.

You do not need to start over. With V16, you can deliver more value from the systems you trust and keep pace with change — confidently and cost-effectively.

Get Visual LANSA 16 for your team

If you are an existing customer, log in to the Support Portal to download the update. Full documentation is available here.

New to LANSA? Request a free trial or visit our product page to learn more about our professional low-code platform.

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