Provider Profile
CBTS for IBM Power: Independent Profile
CBTS is a Midwest-anchored data center and managed services provider that markets iSeries cloud migration and remote-managed IBM i operations. Here's what the company publishes, and what to confirm yourself.
Independent profile — not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by this provider.
What is CBTS?
CBTS is a US managed IT, cloud, network, and security provider that offers iSeries — IBM i — cloud migration and remote-managed operations from its own data centers, most of which are in the Midwest. It markets 24x7x365 monitoring and management, high availability and disaster recovery planning, backup and recovery testing, and a continuous operation approach intended to remove planned downtime for backups and upgrades. Its IBM i capability is documented mainly through advisory content rather than a dedicated product page, so scope, service levels, and platform details need pinning down in writing before you compare it against an IBM Power specialist.
At a Glance
CBTS Specifications
Everything below is drawn from what CBTS publishes. Items marked vendor-stated are the provider's claims, not independently verified figures — treat them as questions to raise, not as confirmed specifications.
- IBM i
| Provider type | Data center, cloud, and managed services provider with iSeries capability |
|---|---|
| Footprint (company-stated) | Roughly ten geographically dispersed company-owned data centers, concentrated in the Midwest, serving clients across major US markets |
| Managed services (vendor-stated) | 24x7x365 monitoring, response, and management of systems, plus 24x7x365 IT security services |
| Migration support (vendor-stated) | Designing, configuring, and implementing cloud and hybrid environments, with certified iSeries experts supporting the transition |
| Availability approach (vendor-stated) | A continuous operation strategy intended to eliminate planned downtime associated with backups and upgrades |
| Backup and DR (vendor-stated) | Backup and recovery testing, plus development of a combined disaster recovery and high availability programme |
| Experience claim (vendor-stated) | More than 30 years designing, building, and managing data centers and cloud environments |
| AIX and Linux on Power | Not mentioned in its iSeries material — confirm directly if either is part of your estate |
| Compliance certifications | Not stated in its iSeries material — request current attestations |
Vendor pages last checked July 2026. Providers change offerings without notice — confirm current details directly.
Visit the provider's IBM Power page →Where It Is Strong
What CBTS Does Well
Points that genuinely differentiate this provider, based on what it publishes and how it is positioned in the IBM Power market.
One provider across the whole estate
IBM i sits alongside network, security, cloud, and data center services. If you are consolidating vendors, that breadth is worth real money in reduced coordination.
Owned data centers, not resold space
CBTS operates its own facilities rather than reselling someone else's, which usually means a shorter path when something physical needs attention.
Regional presence and accountability
For Midwest organizations, a provider with local facilities and staff is easier to hold accountable than a national brand delivering remotely.
Explicit focus on removing planned downtime
The continuous operation framing targets backup and upgrade windows specifically, which is where most IBM i shops still lose hours every month.
Fit Check
Is CBTS a Good Fit?
Best fit
Good fit signals
Midwest-based organizations that already buy network, security, or data center services from CBTS and want IBM i brought into the same managed relationship rather than adding a specialist vendor.
Use caution
Proceed with caution if
CBTS documents its IBM i capability mainly through advisory and blog content rather than a dedicated service page, and names no AIX, Linux on Power, or compliance attestations there. That is a meaningful gap next to providers whose entire business is IBM Power. Ask for named IBM i references and certifications before shortlisting it against a specialist.
Key decision
Decision point
If IBM i is your critical platform rather than one system among many, weigh a specialist against the convenience of consolidating with an incumbent provider. Vendor consolidation is a real benefit, but not at the cost of platform depth.
Due Diligence
What to Verify Before You Sign
Take these to the provider in writing. Anything that only exists in a slide deck is not a commitment.
The actual IBM i service description
Ask for a written service definition rather than advisory content. Get the managed scope, response times, and named deliverables on paper.
IBM i bench strength
Confirm how many certified IBM i engineers CBTS employs, how many IBM i customers it currently runs, and whether it will provide references on the platform.
AIX and Linux on Power coverage
Its iSeries material names IBM i only. If your estate includes AIX or Linux on Power, get support confirmed explicitly before shortlisting.
DR site distance
A Midwest-concentrated footprint may not give you the separation a regulator or insurer expects between production and recovery. Confirm the specific sites and the distance between them.
Compliance attestations
None appear in its iSeries material. Request SOC 2 or equivalent reports covering the specific environment your workload would run in.
CBTS FAQ
Does CBTS support AIX or Linux on Power?
Its published iSeries material covers IBM i only and does not mention AIX or Linux on Power. Confirm directly before assuming a mixed Power estate is covered.
Where would my IBM i workload physically run?
CBTS operates roughly ten company-owned data centers concentrated in the Midwest. Get the specific production and recovery facilities named in the proposal, and confirm the distance between them meets your requirement.
Is CBTS an IBM Power specialist?
No. It is a broad managed IT, cloud, network, and security provider that includes iSeries among its capabilities. If IBM i depth is your main criterion, compare it directly against providers whose entire business is IBM Power.
What does continuous operation mean in practice?
CBTS describes it as eliminating the planned downtime normally associated with backups and upgrades. Ask exactly how that is achieved on IBM i, what it requires of your environment, and whether it carries an availability commitment you can hold them to.
Sources
- CBTS — Advantages of moving your IBM iSeries to the cloud
- CBTS — locations
- Service definitions, SLAs, and audit reports — request directly from CBTS
Independent Advisory Notice
Power Systems Advisor is an independent advisory resource and is not IBM. IBM, IBM Power, IBM i, AIX, PowerVM, Power Virtual Server, and other marks belong to their respective owners. Product availability, compatibility, pricing, and support should be verified with IBM or the relevant provider. Recommendations depend on the customer's specific environment.
Comparing CBTS Against Other Providers?
Get an independent read on how this provider stacks up for your specific workload, before you commit budget or sign a term.