What to Consider When Using a Cloud or Managed Service Provider
April 3, 2017
Workloads are getting bigger. To manage all of this information and application data, businesses have a few options: store workloads on a company-owned server, tap the storage space of a managed service provider (MSP) or go with a hybrid model that combines a private, on-premises cloud with an MSP. So, how does a business decide? […]
ArticlesKeep Data out of Danger
April 3, 2017
If you haven’t seen “Attack of the Killer LOBs” yet, it’s coming soon to a DB2* environment near you. No, this isn’t a new science fiction movie—it’s a lurking danger in your environment today. Your vital data may have already been compromised, leaving you with a customer service, legal and compliance nightmare. Even worse, because […]
ArticlesWhy Organizations Should Reconsider Their Current Chargeback Systems
April 1, 2017
Imagine Mary, Fred and George are gathered for a budget meeting with Ellen, their company’s CIO, to discuss another budget shortfall. Ellen asks, “What caused this million-dollar shortfall?” George says, “We think it’s related to the decision by accounting to shift one of their major workloads from our Power Systems* platforms to our VMware tower. […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Security
March 27, 2017
This is the sixth post in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important, specifically in enterprise computing. In this post, I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis by looking at the interesting and complex topic of security. z/OS Security When someone says “mainframe security” you probably think RACF. However, if you […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Open-Source Software
March 20, 2017
This is the fifth post in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important, specifically in enterprise computing. In this post, I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis of trends, this time looking at open-source software. Open-source software with mainframes is not an uncommon pairing. If in your everyday job you work […]
PodcastsBarry Schrager Looks at the State of Mainframes
March 20, 2017
Reg Harbeck talks with Barry Schrager who recounts his career and explains what’s missing among today's mainframe operators and administrators. Listen to the interview via the orange play button or read the transcript below. Reg: Hello. This is Reg Harbeck and I'm here today with Barry Schrager, who is the author of ACF2 and the […]
ArticlesIBM Research and Partners Help Traffic Run Smoothly in Madrid
March 20, 2017
Nearly every city plan takes traffic into account to help commuters. But people still face congestion on the road, whether they drive or take public transportation. IBM researchers, such as Paula Ta-Shma, research staff member, IBM Research–Haifa, are working to rectify that, using machine learning and a host of open-source tools. “IoT is leading the […]
ArticlesSelected AIX Versions Can Soon Be Licensed Monthly
March 14, 2017
IBM made an interesting announcement today. The Standard editions of AIX 7.1 and AIX 7.2 will soon be available to be licensed on a monthly basis under Passport Advantage. This is another example of Power Systems and AIX making their platforms cloud-ready as they transition to a hybrid cloud model. So far we have C […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Modernization
March 13, 2017
This is the fourth in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important with a focus on enterprise computing. In this post, I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis of trends with a focus on modernization. Modernization is a dynamic subject because IT is in a constant state of change. Not all […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Mobile
March 6, 2017
This is the third in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important with a focus on enterprise computing. In this post, I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis of trends with a focus on mobile devices and computing. DeviceAtlas.com reports that while smartphones are now firmly established as an important part […]
ArticlesThe Mainframe’s Renaissance – A Conversation with Allan Zander
March 6, 2017
In this sponsored advertising content series, zTalk Business with Reg Harbeck, Reg talks to Allan Zander, CEO of DataKinetics, about his role in the evolution of mainframe applications, and how DataKinetics is using big data, analytics and block chain to help businesses find success. Reg: Hi. This is Reg Harbeck, I’m here today with […]
ArticlesTokenized Encryption: Getting Started
March 1, 2017
When I was engaged to implement cryptography and establish payment card industry (PCI) compliance, it was for a single division of a large conglomerate where each division had its own IT department with differing software, hardware, infrastructure and performed separate implementations. Although my client had the most processing platforms and data stores to integrate, and […]
ArticlesLinux on z Systems Accelerates New and Traditional Workloads
March 1, 2017
Savvy businesses know that tackling challenges requires IT strategies that serve today’s needs and provide room to grow to handle future demand. They also know that embracing open-source solutions is a smart way to add capabilities. Clients with mainframe environments are well-positioned to take advantage of new opportunities because of the IBM z Systems* platform’s […]
ArticlesWhy Flash is the Fastest Growing Form of Data Storage
March 1, 2017
Flash memory is used every day in thumb drives and hand-held smart devices. But it’s no longer relegated to consumer electronics. According to a June 2016 survey from IT consultancy 451 Research, almost 90 percent of organizations have some form of flash-based storage installed in their data centers. All-flash storage systems are also becoming increasingly […]
ArticlesHow Deep Learning Reveals Data Insights
March 1, 2017
The average human brain has more than 80 billion neurons. The common fruit fly’s brain has about 250,000. Early artificial neural networks (ANNs)—computer systems inspired by the human brain—had even fewer neurons than a fruit fly. “If all you can cough up is the intelligence of a fruit fly, you’re not going very far in […]
ArticlesUse Machine Learning to Make Storage Smarter
March 1, 2017
With the goal of helping us learn more about the universe, IBM and the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) are collaborating on the IT roadmap behind the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which will be the largest radio telescope in the world (bit.ly/2iywTpL). As part of this effort, called the DOME project, IBM developed a […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Linux
February 27, 2017
This is the second in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important with a focus on enterprise computing. In this post, I’ll continue my point-in-time analysis of trends with a focus on Linux. According to the Linux Counter*, there are about 89,365,600 Linux users in the world. Linux Computing […]
ArticlesTrend Watch: Cloud Computing
February 20, 2017
This is the first in a multi-part series with a focus on trends that are interesting and important, from cloud computing to digital transformation, all with a clear focus on enterprise computing. In this post, I jump into cloud computing and discuss the subject at this point-in-time. Cloud Computing Now Right now, cloud computing is […]
ArticlesIBM Machine Learning for z/OS Announced
February 15, 2017
Organizations wanting to use machine learning to help solve their toughest business questions are challenged by the complexity of the tools involved and the skills needed. Business rules are changing, application developers can’t always keep up and models constantly need to be tuned. To stay ahead of this rapid pace, IBM today announces machine learning […]
ArticlesEducation, Certification and Experience
February 13, 2017
This is the last in a multi-part series on the key skills needed for success in enterprise computing. This three-part series is based on information that I gathered and analyzed from job postings from job sites. These postings came from companies looking to hire programmers, programmer/analysts and developers in mainframe computing. Last week, I wrote […]
ArticlesJim Elliott Stays Motivated on the Mainframe
February 13, 2017
Reg Harbeck talks with Jim Elliott. The longtime, now "retired" IBMer explains why today's mainframe is leading edge technology and shares what motivates him to keep working. Listen to the interview via the orange play button or read the transcript below. Reg: Hi, I'm Reg Harbeck and I'm here today with Jim Elliott who is […]
ArticlesThe Important Role of Effective Skills
February 6, 2017
This is the second in a multi-part series on the key skills needed for success in enterprise computing. This brief series is based on information that I gathered and analyzed from job postings from companies looking to hire programmers, programmer/analysts and developers for jobs in mainframe computing. Last week, I wrote about a collection of […]
ArticlesVirtualization’s Past Helps Explain Its Current Importance
February 6, 2017
With VM celebrating 45 years as an IBM product, it’s a good time to look at the history of virtualization technology. Everyone seems to want to take credit for something IBM invented and brought to maturity about 50 years ago. In this two part article, we will chronical the key milestones in the development of […]
ArticlesPillars to Developing A New Generation of Smarter Cities
February 6, 2017
Smart Cities Phase 1 The first phase of smart cities initiatives, aka Smart Cities 1.0, focused on cities working with their technology partners to develop pilot programs to test solutions that address specific problems and understand a solution’s benefits. The purpose was to develop a deeper understanding of technology trends and the concept of an […]
ArticlesTokenized Encryption: Connecting Docs
February 1, 2017
This third and final article on documentation examines the information necessary to support a cryptographic interface oriented to CICS Transaction Server and MVS. While the focus is on mainframe environments, the principles and concepts apply to all IT systems. Likewise, except for specific programming languages and software, this information applies to all platforms. Function […]