Ushering in a new era of mainframe modernization

In an era defined by AI-driven innovation, real-time insights, and digital transformation, mainframes continue to serve as the foundation for the world’s most critical systems. They are used by 71% of Fortune 500 companies, handle 68% of global production IT workloads, and are responsible for processing 90% of all credit card transactions. Without them, the digital world simply would not function.

That’s why IT modernization doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning the mainframe. The recent launch of the IBM z17 marks a significant milestone in the journey to unlock the mainframe’s full potential. More than just an infrastructure upgrade, z17 represents a strategic leap forward in enabling hybrid cloud integration, embedded AI, advanced security, and intelligent automation thanks to its new on-chip AI acceleration capabilities. When paired with the right software solutions, organizations that lean in are positioned to fully harness these advancements in real-time inferencing at scale.

These strategic changes are reflective of the latest priorities of today’s largest enterprises and most critical industries. We’ll explore those implications next.

The rise of embedded AI in core systems

One of the most talked-about advancements with IBM z17 is its ability to perform AI directly on the hardware, thanks to the new Telum II processor and the introduction of the Spyre accelerator cards. The Telum chip provides AI inferencing, and the Spyre cards provide the capability to support generative AI and LLMs right on the hardware, closer to the data. By embedding AI at the hardware level, z17 enables real-time analysis of transactional data and unstructured data. This is a game-changer for industries like financial services, healthcare, and logistics, where decisions must be made instantly and securely. 

The broader takeaway for the enterprise is clear: the next era of innovation will be defined by how well organizations can integrate intelligence into operational workflows. Mainframe systems, traditionally viewed as static, are now capable of participating in this real-time, AI-driven ecosystem—shifting perceptions and expanding use cases in the process.

Evolving expectations for security and resiliency

The z17 also addresses an urgent reality in enterprise IT: the threat landscape is growing in complexity. Security breaches, ransomware attacks, and regulatory scrutiny are no longer hypothetical risks—they are everyday challenges for IT leaders. With enhanced encryption capabilities, built-in resiliency features, and expanded data recovery options, the z17 is designed to meet the moment.

From an industry perspective, this raises the bar for what “secure infrastructure” truly means. More securable platforms like z17 are leading the shift toward more proactive, integrated approaches to cyber resilience—setting a new standard for enterprise systems going forward. When paired with strategic software and procedures designed for proactive monitoring and rapid recovery,  these systems become both safer and more resilient than ever before. A crucial step toward mitigating the ever-evolving risk of bad actors.

Bridging the data divide in hybrid environments

One of the key challenges in modern IT environments is integrating data across siloed systems. Mainframe data, despite being some of the most valuable in the enterprise, often remains underutilized due to accessibility barriers. With a z17 foundation, software data solutions can more easily bridge critical systems, offering unprecedented data accessibility and observability.

For CIOs, this is an opportunity to break down historical silos and make real-time mainframe data available across cloud and distributed environments without compromising performance or governance. As data becomes more central to competitive advantage, the ability to bridge existing and modern platforms will be a defining capability for future-ready organizations.

Mainframes are now more accessible than ever

For many industries, mainframes continue to deliver unmatched performance, reliability, and security for mission-critical workloads—capabilities that modern enterprises rely on to drive digital transformation. Far from being outdated, mainframes are evolving through integration with emerging technologies like AI, automation, and hybrid cloud, enabling organizations to modernize without disruption. With decades of trusted data and business logic already embedded in these systems, mainframes provide a resilient foundation for innovation, ensuring that enterprises can meet today’s demands while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.

In today’s hybrid world – where workloads span cloud-native applications and core systems – mainframes like the IBM z17 offer a connective layer that brings consistency, performance, and security to complex IT landscapes.

Proudly partnered with IBM, Rocket Software is committed to helping organizations leverage these advancements and modernize without disruption. To learn more about how we’re doing that, visit here.