A survey of 1200 executives by enterprise IT solutions provider BMC Software claims to have found that mainframes remain a critical core IT platform supporting the volume and velocity of data and transactions being created by digital business

With nearly 60 percent of companies seeing increased data and transaction volumes, and a growing number of databases, companies continue to select the mainframe as a key platform. The mainframe is a highly secure, superior data and transaction server, particularly as digital business adds unpredictability and volatility to workloads, says BMC.

"The 2016 BMC Mainframe Research Report presents compelling data about the current demand and future outlook for mainframes in digital business. With 89 percent of survey respondents projecting continued strong support for the mainframe, it is clear that companies view the mainframe as a long-term platform," said Bill Miller, president of ZSolutions Optimisation at BMC. "BMC helps customers transform their mainframes for digital business by helping them optimise their systems, data, and costs.”

Respondents surveyed fall into three groups based on their mainframe investment strategies:

• 58 percent of companies surveyed are in the increasing group and looking to grow their investment and use of the mainframe.
• 23 percent indicate they will keep a steady amount of work on the mainframe.
• Only 19 percent plan to reduce the usage of the platform.

Executives planning to grow their investment see value in the mainframe for its availability, performance, and security strengths. These respondents often have growing revenues and are focused on modernisation and taking advantage of technologies such as Java, advanced automation, and lower-cost specialty mainframes. Respondents who plan to remain steady, view mainframes as a secure and highly available engine for running their businesses, but are not looking to add new workloads.

Many companies surveyed are concentrated on addressing increasing demands, including the rapidly growing speed of application requirements, and higher levels of volatility and workload unpredictability. Mainframe organisations manage these challenges well through various strategies and innovative technologies. Eighty-eight percent of companies in the increasing group indicate they run Java applications on the mainframe, primarily to address new digital requirements from customers.

“IT departments are moving toward centralised, virtualised, and highly automated environments. This is being pursued to drive cost and processing efficiencies. Many companies realise that the Mainframe has provided these benefits for many years and is a mature and stable environment,” said Frank Cortell, director of Information Technology, Credit Suisse. “Companies are considering the Mainframe an integral part of their IT strategy and one that will help them reach their future financial and business goals.”

In the year ahead, respondents also plan to take actions that help optimise their data, systems, and costs. Cost optimisation, compliance, application availability, and application modernisation were indicated as top priorities, which can be associated with the impact of digital business.

To read the full 2016 BMC Mainframe Research Report, visit http://www.bmc.com/mainframesurvey