Modernization Processes

Mainframe Cost, Modernization Processes, Modernization Quality

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

The Perceived Rewards and Real Risk of Greenfield Application Modernization

April 6, 2023

“Let’s just start fresh.” In the arena of COBOL application modernization, these words have been uttered many times over the years by technologists, business executives, and even board directors. While the phrase does have great power to lift the spirits (at least for a while) of everyone involved in a big, complex project, at CloudFrame we’ve seen the longer-term results of such “new starts” often enough to know that deeper consideration is warranted before embarking

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

The Benefits of Shifting COBOL Compute

February 28, 2023

Cost is the primary driver for shifting COBOL compute to less expensive platforms. But once organizations decide that they are going to use shifting COBOL compute they discover there are other benefits to this modernization method. These benefits are realized in three areas: impact, risk, and momentum. Financial Impact The immediate benefit of shifting COBOL compute can be seen in the reduction of mainframe MSU utilization of the environment from which the program or application

Measuring the Impact of Shifting COBOL Compute Now Available on YouTube

January 26, 2023

Shifting COBOL compute to less expensive platforms may be the best first step on the modernization journey. Identifying and moving the execution of your most expensive COBOL batch jobs provides an opportunity to reduce cost or free up funds in an existing IT budget. This modernization technique offers a low-risk, straightforward, and cost-effective approach that could lead to a reduction in your MSU usage spikes and MLC fees. If you move your COBOL compute to

Improving Mobile Access to Mainframe Assets

December 28, 2022

Mobile computing has had a seismic impact on IT and modern computing architecture… and will continue into the foreseeable future. Mobile devices – smartphones and tablets – have overtaken traditional computing devices, such as desktop and laptop computers, in terms of how we interact with service providers and retailers. And this transition is even more pronounced among the young. It is not uncommon for a smartphone to be used non-stop during the course of the

MIPS versus MSUs: What’s the Difference?

November 11, 2022

How do we rate the capacity of IBM System Z mainframe hardware? Well, these days, IBM publishes the capacity rating of every mainframe that they sell in MSUs, not MIPS. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. When people discuss mainframe capacity, they often talk in terms of MIPS. But what does MIPS mean? And what is an MSU? A Little Bit of MIPS History Starting at the beginning, the question to ask is, “What

Overcoming the Friction of IT Modernization Plans

October 27, 2022

Many organizations’ modernization plans become “the best-laid plans of mice and men.” Plans that are easily waylaid by organizational or business distractions become convenient excuses for postponing IT modernization projects. This is especially true during times of economic downturn and the potential of a recession. Many times, the “problem” is more one of friction that occurs both before and during the project itself. Modernization plans can cause organizational friction as different factions of the IT

The Whack-a-Mole Effect: Tuning Mainframe Usage for Cost Savings

October 19, 2022

There are many reasons for tuning your mainframe applications. Surely the most important reason is to provide faster access to your end users. The quicker an application responds, the happier the people that use it will be. But a close second is likely to be cost reduction. Unfortunately, tuning to achieve cost savings is frequently undertaken without a good understanding of just how mainframe costs are calculated. Or at least the major contributor to those

Understanding Mainframe Pricing to Aid in Modernization and Cost Control

October 11, 2022

Cost containment is an important criterion for IT departments as organizations everywhere embrace financial austerity. Every decision regarding your computer resources is weighed based on not only the value that it can deliver to your organization, but upon the cost to procure, implement, and maintain. And in most cases, if a positive return on investment cannot be calculated, the software will not be adopted, or the hardware will not be upgraded. One area that many

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 […]