If you’re in the know, you know.
Mainframes are stout! For businesses, and in all sectors of the economy, they are a global powerhouse of transactional might. The platform is laden with technology suited to process massive volumes of transactions with security and protection that is the envy of all others. They are the backbone of the modern technology stack that businesses and governments depend on.
My career has largely centered in and around the mainframe, and many other platforms, too. For me, that broader perspective and experience has been an eye-opener. I have witnessed firsthand the mainframe’s adaptability as it has effortlessly met the challenges of growing competitive pressures and evolving customer needs. The platform continues to stand the test of time.
What some are surprised to know is how their everyday life intersects with the mainframe. Mainframes are ubiquitous. They handle critical applications for top airlines, retailers, banks, and government agencies. Those peer-to-peer payments you make from your phone? Mainframe. All those lines you avoided by shopping online this holiday? Mainframe. Those flights you booked for spring break? Mainframe. Even your government services are likely to have mainframes behind the scenes doing the heavy lifting. It's all mainframe.
The mainframe continues to evolve as market dynamics change and new technologies emerge. But much more than the tech, the mainframe story is all about the people. I’m honored to work alongside many of the remarkable folk who’ve engineered the platform and the tools that make these systems hum today. Mainframers “in the know” know how vibrant, open, and indispensable the platform is for today’s hybrid IT environments. I’ve seen many a skeptic become a believer once they’ve experienced the unbridled value of the mainframe. Here’s why:
5 Reasons the Mainframe Is Relevant Today
1. The mainframe is where the world stores its data. Consumers and businesses are expected to generate twice as much data in the next five years as they did over the last 10 years****. AI alone is expected to increase data center storage from 10 zettabytes (ZB) in 2023 to over 21 ZB by 2027, for a compounded annual growth rate of 18.5%. Organizations the world over are preparing by increasing their mainframe data storage capacity, for good reason. No other computing platform processes, houses, and secures more digital data than the mainframe. None even comes close. The mainframe is the silent beast in the background: unseen, yet formidable. With 67% of Fortune 500* companies and 90% of banks* relying on it., the mainframe is critical to our daily lives. Its importance will only grow as AI continues to transform our world.
2. The mainframe is a state-of-the-art platform. I’m a car guy. I can’t help but compare mainframes to sports cars. Both are engineering marvels, designed to push boundaries and deliver exceptional performance. Mainframes exploded on the scene at the same time as high-powered sports cars like the Mustang and Corvette. Like these sports cars, they continue to evolve to deliver an incredible user experience. It’s the combination of state-of-the-art hardware and advanced software that sets the mainframe apart from other platforms, driving successful businesses on a global scale. Modern mainframe hardware is regularly updated with the fastest commercial processors, storage capabilities, and security enhancements. Mainframes excel in software innovation too, utilizing the latest technologies, including virtualization, containers, and open source software, which makes the platform accessible to a broader talent pool. Most recently, mainframes embrace Generative AI.
3. The mainframe is a perfect partner for cloud and modern development tools. Today's mainframe is open. It integrates seamlessly with the cloud. It supports the latest IDEs, languages, and DevOps workflows. That is why we use the term “hybrid IT” to describe how the mainframe works in concert with other platforms and technologies, such as Gen AI. The mainframe’s toolset is as impressive, adaptable, and interface-friendly as any other platform. It’s not just compatible with the cloud- it thrives within it. It’s a collaboration built for better business outcomes.
4. The mainframe is the best defense against cybercrime. As cyberattacks grow more advanced and relentless, the mainframe stands as an unrivaled fortress in the fight against global security threats. Why? Because mainframes are engineered with the right security capabilities and tools at their core. They’re built like a digital Fort Knox. They safeguard data, maintain transaction integrity, and withstand even the most sophisticated breaches. But it’s not just about protection. With the rapid evolution of technology and ever-tightening regulations, compliance is no longer a checkbox—it’s a cornerstone of business sustainability in complex hybrid IT environments. Mainframes are essential for securing your operations, ensuring compliance, and staying ahead in a high-stakes digital world. **Only about 1/10 of 1 percent of mainframes experience data breaches and more than 65% of business executives declare that data security is a key source of mainframe value. Trust the mainframe. Because when it comes to cybersecurity, compromise is not an option.
5. The mainframe provides the most value for your IT buck. No other platform offers greater power, faster processing, stronger security, superior storage capabilities, AND a lower cost of operation per unit of work. Dr. Howard Rubin lays out the mainframe’s value in his most recent report, “Technology Investment Analysis.” In the report, he reveals that mainframe powers 74% of the world’s transactional workloads while accounting for just 8% of total IT costs.* Yes, mainframes process the vast majority of life’s digital transactions while costing less than a tenth of all other platforms combined. The mainframe is also remarkably efficient, using 75% less floor space and consuming 40% less power than distributed servers trying to run the same workloads.
The Silent Force
The truth is, the mainframe isn’t just a piece of technology – it’s a force to be reckoned with. Although it stands quietly in the background, it powers "world headquarters," and the critical operations we rely on every day – from how we bank and shop to how governments serve their people. Its impact is everywhere, inexorably redefining what’s possible in our increasingly digital world.
For those in the know, the mainframe’s value is undeniable. It’s not just surviving, it’s thriving. It continues to tackle the world’s biggest challenges with unmatched speed, resilience, and capability. And for those who haven’t yet discovered its potential? The mainframe stands ready. Doing what it does best - whether noticed or not. That’s what makes it not just relevant – but incredibly remarkable.
If you're curious to know more, please email me at Greg.Lotko@broadcom.com.
*What is a Mainframe, IBM, March 1, 2024 , https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/mainframe
**Mainframes as a Mainstay of Digital Transformation, IBM, 2024 https://www.ibm.com/downloads/documents/us-en/10c31775c85402a2
***Rubin Worldwide, Technology Investment Analysis, 2024; https://engage.broadcom.com/Mainframe-Tech-Economics-Hybrid-Cloud-Models_of_Best-in-Class-Business-Performers
****Growth of AI Creates Unprecedented Demand in Data Centers, JLL Technologies
https://www.us.jll.com/en/newsroom/growth-of-ai-creates-unprecedented-demand-for-global-data-centers