IBM Unveils z16 Mainframe

Can it eclipse the success of its predecessor?

On 5 April, IBM unveiled the latest mainframe for its z/OS mainframe platform. The z16 builds on the processing and security capabilities of the long-standing IBM Z product line, but with added smarts of an integrated on-chip artificial intelligence accelerator for latency-optimized inference.

The new model replaces the IBM z15, which certainly delivered impressive adoption and returns for the company since its launch in 2019, marking it out as one of the most successful editions of IBM’s flagship systems platform.

Mainframe computers remain popular in highly regulated industries such as financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive and the public sector. But beyond these areas, the operational capabilities of mainframes don’t immediately strike a chord with many organizations, particularly those that don’t have the transactional processing demands.

However, there’s plenty in IBM z16’s slew of features to suggest strong prospects for this latest edition. It promises to make real-time analysis more attainable for many more processing operations, even as “real time” can mean different things to different businesses. It also strengthens digital security and privacy beyond the established capacity for pervasive encryption and confidential computing with quantum-safe data protection.

Cyber resiliency plays an increasing role in the new platform, reflecting the demands of globally connected markets and business operations — a timely emphasis given the geopolitical climate and the breadth of cyber threats. The z16 also offers powerful analytical processing and machine learning capable of delivering intelligence at scale for predictive insights, virtual and augmented reality, and immediate fraud detection.

My research over the past week has focussed on edge processing and data centres, where reduced latency for fast decision-control facilities is one of the commonly cited benefits. The computational edge is the point of action where you want to direct as much powerful capability to achieve the most-effective returns. If you can do this without breaking the bank and as part of an integral capacity, then you’re onto a winner — and let’s be honest: there are so many areas where business operations are going to need wins. Look no further than the need for resilience in the face of tough macroeconomics, growing push for more automation, and ecological impact.

There are good reasons why many mainframe customers will stay invested with IBM’s Z platform. One is that it continues to adapt as a central asset in modern IT infrastructure. Another is its ability to support demanding hybrid cloud and artificial intelligent workloads.

The ageing skills problem — one of the pressing challenges in the mainframe market — is a moot point thanks to support for an array of modern tools from an active ecosystem of partners. IBM has invested significantly in renewing mainframe skills with a broad range of educational services, development competitions and innovation programmes. It has been rewarded for these efforts in seeing a new generation of developers target opportunities for innovation, open development services, and in establishing a wide presence in a wide range of industry sectors with its mainframe platform.

Another challenge is the perceived cost of acquiring and implementing mainframe-based operations. IBM is working hard to counteract this perception, offering a variety of options that cater to new and existing customers.

All in all, the new z16 mainframe expands IBM’s ability to enable participation from the broadest developer skill sets. I expect that the company’s strength in serving modern hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence workloads will make it harder for competitors to encourage moves away from Big Blue’s mainframe platform.

I’ll be writing about IBM z16 in more detail in the coming weeks, discussing its role in addressing the leading demands for modern IT operations in the growing digital economy. Stay tuned.