Mainframe Modernization: Debunking the Myths

Featured article by Subodh Singh, VP Marketing, GT Software

In today’s agile enterprise environment, IT finds itself at a crossroad: either modernize its solutions or fall behind the technology curve.

For established corporations that are relying on mainframe technologies, this reality can quickly become a nightmare. With changing enterprise demands, a growing skills gap between modern and legacy developers and decades-long investments into “big iron” technology foundations, the idea of altering technology may seem like a distant, and costly, dream.

Working in the modernization field, I speak with industry professionals about the proper steps to modernize their technology platforms and there is always one apparent reality: the industry is filled with myths about what is involved in modernizing your existing mainframe applications. From costs to skills and even technology functions, many fear taking the steps to modernize their technology investment because of the misinformation that floods the market. Let’s review some of the more common myths that I’ve seen to ensure that you have the information you need to make a proper decision on whether modernization is right for you.

Modernization is too costly and disruptive

It should come as no surprise that for most businesses, everything comes down to cost versus gain. But as you begin thinking about the millions of lines of code that need to be updated, new software that needs to be installed and possibly even new hardware to host a solution, modernizing your technology can be perceived as a costly endeavor. In many cases though, it’s quite the opposite.

Many of today’s leading modernization solutions bring ease to transitioning legacy applications to modern interfaces without touching the old code. There is no need to re-write or retire old applications, allowing organizations to undertake full mainframe modernization projects in a matter of weeks, not months or years.

Many of today’s leading modernization solutions utilize a simple drag and drop process, removing the need for tedious manual coding or expensive hardware upgrades. In fact, these tools allow you to externalize new business logic to improve time to market and speed innovation, again, without touching the old code.

I know of multiple companies that have been able to complete their modernization projects ahead of schedule and under budget thanks to these functionalities. In fact, in several instances the API development has outpaced the rest of the project. I have seen a single API created in less than five minutes. That can become the foundation of a more sophisticated service that includes error or exception handling logic. Or, composite services can be created that combine multiple services together.

By positioning your mainframe as a foundation for new integrated applications, rather than something that needs to be retired, disruption is a non-factor.

Teams don’t have the skill set

One of the biggest challenges facing companies that rely on legacy systems is the rapidly retiring pool of veterans versed in older programing languages. While interest in learning program languages like PL/I and COBOL peaked during the ‘70s and ‘80s, today’s programmers are focused on more modern languages.

Mainframe modernization solutions can help you solve this problem by bridging the gap between your legacy systems and modern skillsets. In doing so, you eliminate the skills gap by enabling your mainframe for mobile and web by developing APIs to access legacy applications and data. This allows you to compartmentalize the required skillsets by allowing the legacy skillsets to focus on creating APIs, while those with mobile and web development skills only need utilize existing skills. Not only is it much easier to find talent with each of these narrower skillsets, but it also reduces the need for new skills training. Most of our customers have completed their initiatives with existing staff.

Mainframes are obsolete, inflexible and not cloud compatible

There is a common belief that mainframes and cloud cannot coexist, but nothing could be further from the truth. Not only are mainframes cloud compatible, in many ways they are in the cloud! It’s easy to discount mainframes as a has-been solution because it has been around for so long.

The latest modernization techniques allow you to host and integrate new platform functions, transforming a legacy platform into a foundation for other cloud applications. Mainframes also offer up reliability and security benefits that new technology struggles to compete against.

What’s more, by using tools that allow you to easily create and modify APIs based on evolving user requirements, your mainframe becomes an enabler of rapid innovation.

Don’t be influenced by the myths

If your company is in the process of making a major decision about what to do with your mainframe system, don’t be distracted by the hearsay. Mainframe modernization can save you money, eliminate the skills gap in your workforce and offer modern platform functionality and performance all while keeping your data safe.

Take the time to understand the benefits that a modernized mainframe can bring to your enterprise and what it takes to maximize your mainframe investment.

You may be surprised to find that it’s cheaper and easier than you think.

Subodh Singh – Vice President, Marketing and Business Development

Subodh leads the GT Software Marketing and Business Development team, responsible for driving all marketing activities from strategy to execution, including operations, corporate communications, field marketing, branding and demand generation. He has significant B2B marketing experience working for both small and large enterprises.

Prior to GT Software, Subodh held leadership roles at many well-known technology companies, such as SAP, Ariba, Sage Software, ASG Technologies, and The Weather Channel. Subodh earned his MBA from Georgia State University and Bachelor of Science from Barry University. He has also completed executive education at the Harvard Business School.