Mainframe Trends for 2019: Optimism around Modernization and Automation

The modernization of the mainframe continues to attract attention as IT professionals explore how to innovate on this versatile platform as part of their digital transformation strategies. In a recent Database Trends and Applications article titled “The Modern Mainframe: 3 Predictions for 2019,” Joyce Wells identified key trends and predictions for 2019 and highlighted thoughts from Bill Miller, president of ZSolutions at BMC Software. The most recent BMC Mainframe Survey featured prominently in the conversation as well.

As the mainframe continues to prove itself as the backbone of digital environments, 2019 may prove to be the year that IT Operations Management (ITOM) executives fully embrace its power. Among the trends Joyce and Bill identified, the following stood out: 

• Machine learning, analytics and intelligent automation can pave the way to self-managing mainframe environments that predict and resolve issues without manual intervention
• Commitment to mainframe modernization will impact the workforce as companies hire more Millennials to run their mainframes
• Increased digitization and mobility place unrelenting pressure on both IT and mainframes to manage a greater volume, variety and velocity of data and transactions
• Application modernization is a priority in the coming year

 Survey Insights: How to Modernize Your Mainframe

The 2018 BMC Mainframe Survey referenced in the article show how IT professionals are staying ahead of trends affecting this critical platform. Based on input from more than 1,100 executives and technical professionals, the report looks at what’s involved in scaling and modernizing the mainframe, embracing automation and AI, and embracing DevOps practices in the mainframe environment. The report covers many topics that matter to today’s mainframe experts, and a supporting infographic shows the top findings and insights. 

The survey findings and the observations of industry experts like Joyce Wells reflect a bright future for the platform. Organizations that have made a strategic commitment to modernizing their mainframe - recognizing its unsurpassed availability, performance, security, and transaction throughput - will be well positioned to take advantage of advancements such as BMC AMI to further exploit the backbone of their digital business. #Mainframe #BMCSoftware #MFTribe