The mainframe is a powerhouse of computing that has been around for decades. This is solid proof that the technology can still be relevant today, but it also means that you might be using an older version of the system. If this is your case, you need to know how to upgrade your system so that it remains competitive and up-to-date. Here you are provided with five tips on how to modernize your mainframe technology.
Rehosting
Rehosting is a way to modernize your mainframe system and bring it into the 21st century. It’s an approach that can be done in a phased approach, allowing you to do so over time and with minimal disruption.
Rehosting can be done by your IT team or by a third-party. If you choose to go with a third-party re-hoster, they will take over all aspects of the process—from planning to migration—so that all you have to do is sit back and watch as they work their magic.
Open environment
An open environment is a key part of modernization. Open source tools, languages and frameworks allow you to use the latest technology. This can be a major benefit as new innovations roll out quickly in the software industry.
For example, if you are using a mainframe system that was designed in the 60s or 70s then it may not be able to run powerful modern applications like a web application or mobile application. An open environment allows you to use open source tools and frameworks from third party vendors which would have been impossible on those older systems.
Improved tooling
As you begin your modernization project, you’ll need tools to help you along the way. These can include newer versions of the performance tools or new types of performance tools altogether. Newer versions will be able to help with optimizations that were not possible before, and newer types of performance tools may allow for easier testing and measurement.
Rearchitecting and reengineering
While mainframe systems are still relevant, they must be updated to keep up with the times. This can be done through rearchitecting and reengineering. Reengineering refers to the process of adjusting old software systems so that they meet current business needs. Rearchitecting occurs when you completely redesign an existing application for a new purpose or platform.
Both of these methods allow for modernization without having to replace your entire mainframe system at once—which would take too long and cost too much money.
Optimizing
Optimizing is the process of reducing the amount of time it takes to perform a task on a system. For example, if your application requires five seconds to execute and you want to reduce this time by half, you would optimize it.
Optimization is important because it allows for more efficient processing of data. This means your system can process more work in less time and enable additional functionality that wasn’t possible before.
As Micro Focus experts suggests, “Despite advances in technology, mainframe-hosted systems remain business-critical, and at the heart of enterprise computing. Nothing else matches their levels of performance, consistency, and reliability.”
Mainframe modernization is a great way to take advantage of the latest technology without sacrificing what you already have in place. It’s a big deal and it can be done quickly if you choose the right approach for your business needs.
