Mainframe Cost

Mainframe Cost, Mainframe Modernization, Modernization Technology

The Benefits and Challenges of Mainframe Application Modernization

April 19, 2023

Mainframe systems have been the backbone of large businesses and organizations since the advent of the IBM System 360 in 1964. That is a long time for mainframe systems to grow and increase in complexity, making them difficult to maintain over time. As a result, many companies are now considering mainframe application modernization as a means of increasing their efficiency and reducing their costs. Mainframe application modernization refers to the process of updating and optimizing

The Role of Db2 DBAs in Promoting zIIP Usage

April 12, 2023

As most z/OS practitioners know, zIIP processors can provide significant benefits in cost savings and improved performance. And one of the most significant areas for taking advantage of the benefits that zIIPs can provide is within Db2 for z/OS. As such, the role of Db2 DBAs in promoting zIIP usage can be critical. It is important to note that not all features of Db2 for z/OS can run on zIIP processors and that the extent

Ebook: Shifting COBOL Compute to Reduce Mainframe Cost

March 28, 2023

COBOL application modernization doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, risky, or involve never-ending projects that miss their goals. But, if your organization is like many others, rising mainframe costs are beginning to force action. If it isn’t already on your cost reduction plans, COBOL application modernization should be. Why? Mainframe costs continue to increase, with mainframe software licenses rising a remarkable 8 – 15% in 2023. If you are responsible for COBOL applications, your responses

Choosing the Right Application for Shifting COBOL Compute Application Modernization

March 27, 2023

What Applications are Good Shift COBOL Compute Candidates? If your curiosity has been piqued by the benefits of shifting COBOL compute and how it can be accomplished, you may have begun to think about the applications in your inventory and if they would align with this type of modernization effort. Selecting the right applications or programs to begin this journey is one of the critical success factors. Choose incorrectly, and no matter how good your

Common Misconceptions About zIIPs

March 22, 2023

Regular readers of my posts here know that zIIPs are a type of mainframe specialty processor that augments the general-purpose CPUs. Instead of running all workloads on the general-purpose CPUs, specific workloads are shuttled to the specialty processors for execution. The zIIP, or Integrated Information Processor, was initially created to process certain types of Db2 workloads, but over time the work that can be processed on the zIIP has expanded. Nevertheless, the primary reason for

Mainframe Cost Optimization: Full Capacity, Sub-Capacity, and Tailored-Fit

February 15, 2023

Mainframe cost optimization is a current buzzword being applied to many different processes and techniques. But let’s face it, optimization in this context inevitably means reduction. The general idea is that companies are looking for ways to reduce the cost of their computing infrastructure. And who can blame them? If you can pay less for something, why not do it? So, what types of things get lumped into mainframe cost optimization? Generally speaking, you can

What is the Average Cost per MIPS or MSU? Who Cares!

January 25, 2023

The title of today’s post is a question that I get asked all the time. Sometimes by users who are interested in trying to curtail mainframe costs. Sometimes by vendors looking for a way to promote their products that help to reduce costs. While both are well-meaning, this is a question I never answer. Because it is meaningless. Let’s discuss why this is so. First, let’s look at some of the “answers” to this question

Planning a Successful Shifting COBOL Compute Project Now Available on YouTube

January 19, 2023

As mainframe costs continue to rise, alternate compute and execution environments such as the zIIP, Linux, and the cloud are gaining more attention and credibility. Using cross-compile techniques to transform COBOL systems to Java creates opportunities for application owners and IT management to explore and prove the economics of hybrid environments that leverage less expensive execution. While IT organizations are getting comfortable with hybrid environments for enterprise applications, most still need to pull their mainframe

The Many Types of Mainframe Pricing

January 12, 2023

Whenever somebody talks about software pricing on the mainframe or tuning to save on their monthly mainframe bill, I always wonder just exactly what they are talking about. Are they aware of all their company’s licensing agreements and all the intricacies therein? Before we move on, let me just state that the mainframe still makes good economic sense. The total cost of ownership (TCO) for the mainframe, when you add up all of the cost

The Last MSU is the Cheapest

December 22, 2022

The cost per MSU (or MIPS) is not steady. At least not for sub-capacity pricing. As the number of MSUs or MIPS you consume increases, the cost per/MSU (MIPS) goes down. This means that each MSU (or MIPS) saved will be the cheapest you are paying for. This can be verified by reviewing the IBM Z Software Pricing Reference Guide. The price per MSU is based on a multi-level system unique to the sub-capacity pricing

Financial Services Firm Accelerates Application Modernization by Automating JUnit Test Case Generation

January 30, 2024

Financial Services Firm Accelerates Application Modernization by Automating JUnit Test Case Generation Automated JUnit Test Case GenerationCase Study Download Case Study Financial Services Firm Accelerates Application Modernization by Automating JUnit Test Case Generation Customer The client is a leading international financial services organization with a strong focus on providing protection and wealth management solutions. Operating […]

Large Credit Card Company Successfully Migrates Two COBOL Applications in Record Time

January 9, 2024

Large Credit Card Company Successfully Migrates Two COBOL Applications in Record Time Credit Card CompanyRenovate Case Study Download Case Study Large Credit Card Company Successfully Migrates Two COBOL Applications in Record Time Business Challenge A tier-1 financial services company confronted a critical modernization challenge with two legacy applications. Extensive batch processing on a mainframe was […]

Fortune 500 Financial Services Firm collaborates with CloudFrame to explore a tool-assisted approach to refactoring

December 13, 2023

Fortune 500 Financial Services Firm collaborates with CloudFrame to explore a tool-assisted approach to refactoring Customer Success Download Case Study The Customer For almost 90 years, this financial services company has been one of the largest banks in the United States and a household name. With over $50B in revenue, over $1T in assets and […]