October 4, 2006
As a whole, mainframe computers are rather large and relatively complex machines that for more than four decades
have handled many sophisticated and mission-critical functions such as bank and credit card transactions.
Many mainframe computers cost easily more than $1 million each. However, they still have a strong presence in many
companies that require extremely dependable and fast computing, along with the high security mainframes are known
for.
But over the years, some of the mainframes' traditional chores have been moved to less expensive computers in
corporate networks, leading rivals to downplay the mainframe as an outdated platform.
According to IDC research director Steve Josselyn, the global market for mainframes and other very high-end
servers decreased significantly, from $19 billion six years ago to less then $12 billion in 2005. IBM still retains
the leading share of the industry and generates significant revenue from the various mainframe software and
full-time maintenance associated with mainframe platforms.
However, sales of mainframes themselves dropped more than 7.5 percent last year and it was only recently that
they managed to increase slightly by about 1.47 percent in the first half of 2006.
Lately, IBM has tried to keep mainframes attractive by encouraging computing administrators to run open-source software and other lightweight programs on mainframes. And in April, Big Blue rolled out a starter-level mainframe that starts at $100,000 and is targeted at smaller companies.
Now IBM is announcing an effort to simplify the operating system and programming language that run mainframes, which often take years for specialists to master.
The company plans to spend $100 million over the next five years on the project, which will aim to make running a mainframe much like controlling any other kind of computer.
That means mainframes will finally get more of the graphical interfaces and drag-and-drop controls that are standard on personal computers and servers today. The absence of such features is thought to hinder the recruitment of new mainframe engineers, who are in dire need. Because of the long history of the platform, many mainframe experts are nearing retirement.
The programming effort, along with IBM's continuing work to encourage mainframe training in university computer science programs, is designed to accelerate the growth of the mainframe, said Jim Stallings, general manager of IBM's mainframe line.
"It's not so much about protecting, it's about going after new customers and markets," he said.
Source: Yahoo News
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