At Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE, BMC Software addressed the challenges of mainframe modernization, focusing on the cumulative complexity rather than COBOL itself, and introduced their Automated Mainframe Intelligence (AMI) suite to enhance modernization with AI-driven tools for automated DevOps, security, and identifying inefficiencies. They emphasized an ethical approach to AI integration, stressing transparency, data privacy, and responsible workforce management. BMC advocated for starting with small-scale pilot projects and highlighted the importance of both technological and cultural changes for successful digital transformation. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Marian Newsome following Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Kansas City 2024.
10-Minute Marvels: The Tech Revolution Redefining Mainframe Agility
In this LinkedIn Pulse article, Marian Newsome discusses the resurgence of mainframes in the enterprise technology landscape, particularly through PopUp Mainframe’s recent demonstration at Tech Field Day Extra, where CEO Gary Thornhill showcased the rapid deployment of mainframes within minutes. This innovation challenges traditional views on mainframes as complex and outdated, as the integration of AI into mainframe DevOps enhances agility while maintaining the systems’ legendary stability, crucial for critical functions like handling 90% of global credit card transactions. PopUp Mainframe’s solutions promote a blend of agile methodologies with ethical AI practices, enabling quick z/OS environment deployments that comply with security standards.
From Legacy to Leading-Edge: Embracing Mainframe Modernization with BMC
BMC showcased its approach to mainframe modernization at the SHARE conference, highlighting the challenges of updating legacy systems that often operate on outdated COBOL programs. Their solution, the AMI DevX platform, features tools like Code Insights that assist in refactoring COBOL into contemporary, manageable components. The platform also integrates generative AI to simplify the analysis of these complex systems for new developers, thereby accelerating the modernization process and ensuring the continued robustness of critical enterprise infrastructure. Read more in this article by Gina Rosenthal, who attended the BMC presentation at Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Kansas City 2024.
The AI-Powered Mainframe: Broadcom’s WatchTower Redefines Observability
Broadcom has introduced WatchTower, an AI-driven observability tool designed to transform mainframe management by enhancing monitoring and increasing operational efficiencies. Using artificial intelligence, WatchTower delivers essential insights, helping IT teams improve performance, address issues proactively, and enhance system reliability. This advancement signifies a pivotal shift in mainframe operations, aiming to streamline processes and reduce the workload on IT staff, enabling businesses to maximize the potential of their mainframe systems. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Marian Newsome following the Broadcom presentation at Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Kansas City 2024!
The Future is Bright: Mainframes & Innovation!
In the latest episode of Tech Aunties, hosts Gina Rosenthal and Marian Newsome explore the evolving role of mainframes, underscored by their experiences at the Share Conference in Kansas City. They discuss the integration of AI and machine learning with mainframe technologies and address the generational transfer of knowledge within the industry. The episode wraps up with a call to action for those affected by layoffs to consider opportunities in mainframes, highlighting the sector’s significance and ongoing innovation.
What’s Causing a Skills Shortage in Mainframe?
Sulagna Saha of Gestalt IT discusses a growing skills gap in the mainframe IT sector that risks impacting businesses depending on this technology. Factors contributing to the shortage include the sector’s outdated image, insufficient training programs, and the allure of newer technologies for tech talents. She emphasizes the need for increased training investments and educational reforms to attract and prepare new candidates for crucial mainframe roles, underscoring the importance of modernizing perceptions of mainframe technology. Read more and watch the delegate discussion from SHARE Kansas City 2024!
An AI-Infused Experience for New Mainframe Talents, with BMC AMI
BMC is addressing the challenge of updating mainframe environments by integrating modern AI technologies through its Automated Mainframe Intelligence (AMI) platform, aiming to close the gap between seasoned and emerging mainframe professionals. The AMI platform enhances user engagement with features like single sign-on, real-time responses, and adaptive learning mechanisms, leveraging AI to streamline interactions and automate tasks. This initiative not only modernizes mainframe operations but also plays a critical role in facilitating the digital transformation of legacy systems, empowering a new generation of mainframe experts. Read more in this article for Gestalt IT by Sulagna Saha, inspired by the BMC presentation at Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Kansas City 2024.
The Tech Aunties go to SHARE
Gina Rosenthal and Marian Newsome attended the Tech Field Day presentations at SHARE in Kansas City. They discussed topics like DevOps, generative AI, system management, and mainframe modernization. They are particularly interested in the modernization of mainframes and the potential for integrating AIOps and containers with mainframes. They discuss the historical significance of mainframes and the possibility of moving data between mainframes and the cloud. They also mention plans to attend sessions on IBM’s Watson X and AI on mainframes, and the importance of educating younger generations about these technologies. Listen to The Tech Aunties podcast for more!
Tech Field Day Session Recap: #3 Broadcom
Derek Britton recaps Broadcom’s Tech Field Day session at the SHARE conference in Kansas City, focusing on their observability solution, WatchTower. This tool is designed to simplify the identification and resolution of critical incidents in mainframe environments by leveraging machine learning and automation. WatchTower aims to consolidate various tasks and tools into a single platform, tailored to the needs of different user roles, and integrates with other enterprise IT tools like ServiceNow and DataDog. The session highlighted Broadcom’s attention to user personas and their efforts to unify observability across hybrid infrastructures. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article!
Mainframe Modernization with PopUp Mainframe
PopUp Mainframe is revolutionizing the mainframe sector by providing modernization solutions that enhance flexibility and reduce operational costs. Their offerings include rapid, on-demand development and testing environments that integrate seamlessly with cloud infrastructures, matching the capabilities of physical mainframes. By leveraging IBM’s z/OS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, PopUp Mainframe addresses legacy challenges and boosts data management efficiency, vital for sectors like banking and telecommunications. Read more in this Gestalt IT article by Sulagna Saha following their presentation at Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE in Kansas City.
TechFieldDay Session Recap #2: PopUp Mainframe
At the Tech Field Day event at the SHARE conference, PopUp Mainframe showcased its innovative solution for on-demand mainframe environments, allowing organizations to create and deploy mainframes quickly and flexibly, both on-premises and in the cloud. By addressing bottlenecks in mainframe development and testing, PopUp enables agile project delivery, reduces hardware costs, and integrates seamlessly with standard DevOps toolchains. CEO Gary Thornhill highlighted the ability to set up fully functional mainframe environments in just minutes, making it a game-changer for organizations needing to accelerate their mainframe delivery cycles. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Derek Britton.
TechFieldDay Session Recap: BMC
In a recent Tech Field Day session, BMC presented the firm’s strategic initiatives focused on boosting IT management efficiency through advanced automation and AI/ML integration. They discussed the transformative impact of cloud computing in IT and how BMC’s tailored solutions are designed to streamline operations and enhance both performance and user experience. This presentation highlighted BMC’s proactive stance on addressing the ongoing challenges faced by IT professionals in the modern enterprise landscape. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Field Day delegate Derek Britton.
Broadcom WatchTower – Observability Data Tailored for Every Role
Broadcom has introduced the WatchTower Platform during Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE 2024, a sophisticated observability tool designed specifically for mainframe environments, utilizing machine learning to provide tailored data visibility based on user roles. This customization facilitates quicker and more accurate problem-solving, featuring capabilities like alert clustering, infrastructure topology mapping, and insightful machine learning-driven analytics. Available for both on-premises and public cloud environments, WatchTower exemplifies Broadcom’s commitment under CEO Hock Tan to enhance its presence in the vital mainframe market.
Mainframes Take the Main Stage at SHARE Kansas City 2024
At the SHARE Kansas City 2024 conference on August 6th, Tech Field Day will highlight mainframe technologies with a robust lineup of sessions and discussions. Beginning with a focus on on-demand development by PopUp Mainframe and a roundtable led by Steven Dickens on cutting-edge innovations, the event will also feature new advancements in DevOps and AIOps from BMC and observability solutions from Broadcom’s Watchtower platform. Alongside live participation, attendees will have access to session recordings on the Tech Field Day YouTube channel and other digital platforms, with an exclusive podcast available pre-conference to enrich participant understanding of the central themes.
The Mainframe is Still Going Strong
Despite the hype about modern applications, the mainframe remains central to enterprise IT and is rapidly adopting new technologies. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Steven Dickens, Geoffrey Decker, and Jon Hildebrand talking to Stephen Foskett about the modern mainframe prior to the SHARE conference. The modern datacenter is rapidly adopting technologies like containerization, orchestration, and artificial intelligence, and these are coming to the mainframe world as well. And the continued importance of mainframe applications, especially in finance and transportation, makes the mainframe more important than ever. There is a tremendous career opportunity in mainframes as well, with recent grads commanding high salaries and working with exciting modern technologies. Modern mainframes run Linux natively, support OpenShift and containers, and support all of the latest languages and programming models in addition to PL1, Cobol, DB2, and of course zOS. We’re looking forward to bringing the latest in the mainframe space from SHARE to our audience.
