5 things you should know about mainframe computers

  1. Mainframes
    host most of the world’s data
    : Mainframes are used to process about
    95% of the transactions in the banking, insurance, airline and retail
    industries and host about 70% of the world’s data.  They often run mission critical workloads that
    have specific performance and security requirements best served by a mainframe
    computer.
  2. Mainframe
    security is unmatched
    : The IBM zSeries is the current generation of the world’s most powerful
    transaction processing system, capable of running more than 12 billion
    encrypted transactions per day, with a footprint as small as a standard
    rack.  It addresses online security by
    enabling the ability to encrypt data at light speed.  Currently, only about 4% of online
    transactions are encrypted.  This is a
    game changer in terms of cyber security. 
    Even if hackers can access data, the encryption makes it unusable.  The new platform can also identify potential
    tampering and quickly encrypt the programming interfaces that tie applications
    and services together.  Storing sensitive
    data-at-rest on an IBM zSeries provides encryption protection against potential
    exposure, as long as its encryption key is secured.  This level of encryption is an attractive
    option for a company as part of their data loss prevention plan.
  3. The
    cost of ownership is lower than ever:
    The total cost of
    ownership (TCO) of the new generation of mainframe has improved from previous
    generations.  Businesses will also see
    their software costs go down as they invest in newer mainframe technology.  When analyzing cost savings, many businesses
    fail to anticipate the additional cost for IT staff to maintain a server farm
    which is often more expensive than the cost of mainframe hardware and software
    maintenance.  In some cases the
    additional cost of manpower eliminates savings, making the mainframe a more
    attractive option.  Mainframes still
    require an extensive infrastructure to host and maintain them, and increasingly,
    businesses are turning to Managed Services Providers (MSPs) to host their
    mainframe in a purpose-built data centre, further reducing their capital and operating
    costs.
  4. Scarce support resources are a big concern with
    mainframe computer operations:

    Those entering computing careers today are more attracted to developing apps
    than running mainframe computers, and post-secondary schools are no longer
    teaching mainframe skills like COBOL.  As
    a result, there is a serious shortage in mainframe skills in the
    marketplace.  Cover-All Managed IT Services
    hires and trains mainframe personnel to manage and support the mainframes for
    their largest clients.  This shared
    resource pool has become a valuable asset for Cover-All clients.
  5. Mainframe computers are cloud friendly: Today’s version of the mainframe computer is
    equipped to handle the speed and security of high demand processing but also
    has the ability to integrate with cloud applications giving companies
    unprecedented flexibility as they make decisions about their companies’ future
    IT direction.

To find out more about how Cover-All can help you with all of your mainframe needs, give us a call today at 1-833-268-3788 or visit our website at https://www.cover-all.ca/managed-it-services/mainframe-managed-services/

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