IBM beefs up mainframe software offerings

By Robert Jaques on Feb 15, 2007 9:50 AM
Filed under Software

Enhanced code aims to make it easier to program, manage and administer
mainframes.

IBM has introduced software designed to make it easier to program, manage and administer a mainframe systems.

The move forms part of recent attempts by Big Blue to enhance its mainframe graphical user interface by integrating point-and-click controls that can manage system performance and resource availability.

The System z mainframe software upgrades and enhancements follow the October 2006 announcement of an approximately US$100m, cross-company effort to make the IBM System z mainframe easier to use by 2011.

"These new software upgrades and enhancements to the System z software stack not only incorporate the latest technologies, but represent real progress towards the goal of making the mainframe easier to use and administer," said Jim Stallings, general manager for IBM System z.

As part of the software enhancement IBM unveiled its DB2 9 database for z/OS. The new version enables high-volume transaction processing for the next wave of Web applications and SOA environments.

It also improves data warehousing and OLTP reporting. DB2 9 for z/OS and DB2 Tools will be available in the first half of 2007.

In addition improvements were unveiled for the IBM Tivoli Monitoring range of availability and performance management tools including a new release of the IBM OMEGAMON z/OS Management Console.