Future of Mainframes Why You need to worry and Why you Dont!

! Reasons why need to worry about future of mainframes! 1. Data center management: High cost involved in managing mainframe infrastructure. 2. Low volume development/production: Availability of new technologies against Mainframe systems for instant requirements poses direct challenge. 3. Difficulties in finding mainframe skills. Mainframe projects are very large and need certain skills or experienced mainframe systems programmers. Finding right people with right skills and experience is getting difficult as mainframe baby boomers are now retiring and younger generation is more attracted towards new programming languages and systems. 4. Mainframes are considered unreachable by the mid market segment - Due to high cost associated with mainframe hardware and software. Reasons why we dont need to worry about future of Mainframes 1. Investment in existing applications: IBM is reinvesting 1.2 billion a year in the platform with engines specializing in Java or Linux. Companies like IBM and CA Technologies are now collaborating with Universities across the globe to generate next generation Mainframers. 2. Mainframe zSeries by IBM are the most advanced processors that not only retain the evolutionary advantages of the mainframe, such as security, stability and availability but also provide the most advanced ease of administration, making Mainframe the leading technology in Data management and data storage services. 3. The 10,000 companies with an IBM mainframe are also the largest companies in the world that are now upgrading their mainframe infrastructure to meet the challenges posed by globalization of world markets. 4. Single vendor systems are going to be affected due to windows and Linux based systems. - IBM machines also work with Windows and Java and integrated into service-type architectures. The Future Of Mainframe has been a Hot topic since 20 years and The Death of the Mainframe has been predicted many a times in the past:

A fairly well accepted notion in computing is that the mainframe is going the way of the dinosaur. Forbes, March 20, 1989 The mainframe computer is rapidly being turned into a technological Dinosaur... New York Times, April 4, 1989 On March 15, 1996, an InfoWorld Reader will unplug the last mainframe. Stewart Alsop, InfoWorld 1991 ...the mainframe seems to be hurtling toward extinction. New York Times, Feb. 9, 1993 Its the end of the end for the mainframes George Colony, Forrester Research, Business Week, Jan. 10, 1994 Its difficult to predict the future of mainframes exactly but with current developments in the mainframe world the future looks very assured. Mainframe Business experts are saying there is no end of mainframe era even in coming 100 years. Maintec Technologies offers globally compliant IT solutions that empower businesses to become more competitive by leveraging offshore capabilities and highly skilled resources. Based in Raleigh, N.C., Maintec Technologies operates a software development center in Bangalore, India to provide clients comprehensive Mainframe outsourcing services (remote/onsite).