Mainframe Modernization: A Guide for Applications

Mainframe modernization is a vital part of digital transformation for enterprises that want to stay on the cutting edge of technology and maintain their competitive advantage.

On-premise enterprise mainframe applications are often the driving force behind essential business processes. This means that any legacy mainframe modernization needs to be done right.

Sticking with legacy systems until they lose all functionality and support puts essential business operations and crucial data at risk. Conducting modernization of mainframe applications, systems, or data may be tricky, but it’s essential to ensuring that your system operates well and is stable and secure for future growth. 

In this article, we’ll demystify mainframe modernization by exploring its advantages, strategies for successful implementation, and future trends. 

What is the definition of a mainframe?

A mainframe is a high-performance server with exceptional processing power. They’re ideal for large-scale data processing and normally compute-intensive workloads and other complex workflows. Some examples of mainframe tasks include:

• Batch processing
• High-volume transaction processing
• Data analytics
• High-bandwidth communication
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Due to their reliability, agility, and security, many businesses depend on mainframes, and they can be found being used in a wide range of industries, including government, finance, healthcare, and retail.

Contemporary mainframes can run multiple operating systems and thousands of web applications concurrently. When combined with certain modernization strategies, they can also integrate with cloud computing services.  

What is a mainframe application?

Essentially, it’s any application that’s hosted on a mainframe system. Critical processes are typically performed by mainframe applications. These can include finances, payroll, inventory, and customer orders. Hosting these applications on a mainframe allows them to benefit from its security, reliability, and data processing capabilities.

Businesses may also choose to use a mainframe application for processes that require significant scalability, for example, CRM (customer relationship management) software. This allows businesses to add more customer data as they expand without the risk of running out of storage.

However, as technology advances, legacy mainframes can make critical applications inflexible. Legacy application migration allows businesses to unlock fresh capabilities and stay competitive, but it also presents challenges.

Why is mainframe application modernization important?

According to IBM, 71% of business leaders say mainframe applications are vital. However, these legacy apps can stifle company-wide progress if you don’t take steps to modernize them.

Legacy mainframe modernization is vital for a variety of reasons. By integrating mainframe applications with the cloud, you can make the most of your data and improve access to critical insights, driving innovation and improving agility.

Mainframe transformation can also give businesses access to cloud technologies, such as AI and machine learning. By removing the cost and risk of completely scrapping a mainframe, modernization can help reduce time-to-market and help businesses stay ahead of their competition. Let’s explore these benefits in more detail.

Advantages of legacy mainframe modernization

Some organizations worry that the costs and risks of transformation won’t be worth it. To help overcome these concerns, it can be beneficial to consider the advantageous results that legacy mainframe modernizing can bring. 

1. System modernization 

Legacy systems are often built using older primary programming languages, for example, COBOL, PL/I, or Assembler. However, these programming languages are starting to show their age, and they may be limited when it comes to modern workloads. 

With newer APIs, your DevOps team can integrate existing applications into more modern (and distributed) ones. This means you can continue using legacy applications, while also benefiting from fresh solutions. 

2. Integrate with the cloud 

You’re probably generating and using more data now than ever. In fact, the world and the IoT (Internet of Things) produce around 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day. The sheer volume of this data can cause older legacy mainframes to struggle. 

By modernizing your mainframe, you can combine current mainframe architecture with the cloud, expanding your data storage capabilities and increasing your workload virtualization. 

3. Reduced costs 

A major issue with legacy mainframes is the maintenance costs, which will only continue to grow as your systems grow older. You may also experience increased outlay when it comes to licensing or SaaS costs for specific solutions. 

With a modernized mainframe, however, you’ll see a dramatic decrease in expenses with better-distributed data. You can also optimize your integrations with smart caching and more.  

An introduction to mainframe modernization strategies

If your legacy mainframe has had a long lifecycle and is outdated, you must make a decision as to which modernization strategy will best suit your organization. 

There are numerous reasons why you should modernize your mainframe, from reducing costs to improving workflows and performance. It will also provide your business with the opportunity to become cloud-native, meaning you can adapt more quickly to future changes in the market as well as technology. 

With most legacy systems powered by COBOL programming, you need to look at how to make them work with newer applications and languages, such as Java. You must also consider the increasing use of AI and machine learning. It’s important to understand how mainframe modernization services can help these technologies to enhance your business model. 

Modernize in place

Your first option is to modernize your mainframe in place. This can be a cost-effective way to link your existing mainframe applications with new systems and capabilities. 

OpenLegacy can help you implement this approach by seamlessly bridging your existing legacy system and new cloud services. With efficient integrations, you can realize your operational goals quickly with no risk attached. 

Rehost/re-platform

Another option that OpenLegacy can help with is to rehost your services via a phased approach. This would involve you operating a hybrid model, which would see some business functions carried out by your legacy system and others completed in the cloud. 

With this strategy, you can migrate some or all of your data and functionality centers to the cloud, as well as the applications you use most often, all while having them work harmoniously via out-of-the-box automatic integration points between old and new systems.

Replace/rewrite

The third and most expensive option is to completely replace your current legacy mainframe and migrate all data and applications to the cloud. 

This is the most time-consuming of these strategies, but it means that you will be well-prepared for future technological developments and progress with a 100% cloud-native operational approach. 

How to successfully implement mainframe modernization solutions

Of course, there are many things to consider when it comes to a successful mainframe modernization strategy. Knowing what factors will affect your modernization and being prepared for them can make the process simpler and more streamlined. 

1. Stakeholder alignment 

You need to understand and ensure that stakeholder alignment happens in relation to technical and business goals to meet organizational outcomes. It shouldn’t be about adopting new tech for the sake of it but instead focusing on how it can transform your business and help you meet your goals. Ensure you align varying needs and wants from different areas of your organization. 

2. Changing culture 

Change can be hard to accept at times, but it’s part and parcel of any mainframe modernization project. Your company culture needs to be ready to adapt to using cloud-native tech throughout the modernization and into the future. However, you need to ensure that you don’t sacrifice basic functionalities during the process. 

3. Identify goals and methods

You’d plan any physical trip carefully, and the same should be true for the journey of mainframe modernization. Identify your goals and what you want to achieve, then look at the best way to get there. Will you migrate all your apps and data to the cloud or adopt a hybrid model? 

4. Choose your team

Mainframe application modernization can be a complicated process, and there’s a good chance you won’t have all the necessary skills within your team. For many companies, it’s a case of outsourcing some or all of the work to a partner with the required skillset and experience. 

Ensure this team uses well-structured, well-documented methodologies and a technology-based approach as this will decrease risks, as well as simplify and accelerate the process. 

5. Listen 

Modernization of mainframes can be a daunting process, so it’s helpful to listen to organizations who’ve successfully realized a digital transformation plan, especially if they have similar structures to you. Try to find out what problems and pain points they encountered as well as how they overcame them. 

Future mainframe modernization trends to look out for

So, what does the future hold for mainframes? Two significant trends to look out for are cloud computing and DevOps.

Cloud computing is now widespread, with organizations drawn to its flexibility, scalability, and availability. However, mainframes often hold data and applications that can still be valuable, which has led to an increasing focus on cloud modernization and its benefits.

Cloud modernization involves migrating mainframe applications and data to a single- or multi-cloud environment. This allows businesses to combine the upsides of a mainframe with the power of the cloud. Because of this, there’s likely to be greater adoption of cloud mainframe modernization techniques in the future, as well as more HIP (hybrid integration platform) solutions.

For example, OpenLegacy offers a complete modernization solution for your mainframe systems. OpenLegacy Hub is the only tool of its type that provides an “Integration factory” approach for creating digital services from your legacy systems.

OpenLegacy also comes with pre-built connectors and a simple onboarding process, so, no specialized platform knowledge is required.

Another trend that’s likely to become more prevalent is DevOps for mainframes. DevOps brings a greater degree of responsiveness and agility to software development. Therefore, investing in DevOps for your mainframe systems will soon be key to staying competitive.

However, mainframe applications need to be integrated with other environments to achieve DevOps. For example, OpenLegacy allows businesses to unlock legacy assets as APIs, which can then be used to build DevOps pipelines in any environment.

OpenLegacy lets you automate the process of API creation too, significantly reducing time to market. Plus, you can build a language-agnostic repository of all your legacy assets. Create once, then simply reuse.

OpenLegacy: The best choice for mainframe application modernization

Mainframe modernization is a difficult process and there’s no one-size-fits all path to suit all organizations. Mistakes can be costly, both in terms of having to repeat the process and the risk of data or business logic loss, so it’s important to get it right the first time. 

OpenLegacy has the background and expertise to help any size organization achieve its aims, whatever your chosen modernization strategy. It can build, automate, and manage the legacy assets and integrations you need, with everything in one place, cloud-native, and ready for deployment in your chosen cloud environment.

As a market leader, OpenLegacy can help you decide on the best modernization process and identify whether a full or hybrid cloud migration model is best for your business. From automating access to your legacy systems to ongoing development to keep critical systems stable, OpenLegacy is the best choice for your business. 

Increase agility and ensure business continuity with safe and gradual mainframe modernization with OpenLegacy.

FAQs about mainframe modernization

What is mainframe modernization?

Mainframe modernization is the process of updating your old legacy mainframe system to meet the challenges posed by new technology and digital transformation. It can involve migrating essential applications and data to the cloud or may mean adopting a hybrid model (where processes are shared between legacy systems and the cloud).  It often involves both application development and the use of microservices.

What is mainframe migration?

Mainframe migration is the process of migrating business assets, such as applications and data, from an on-premises mainframe to the cloud. With increasingly high generation and use of data, cloud-based computing can offer organizations better functionality, as well as the ability to access data and systems from anywhere in the world.