Since the advent of computing machines, one requirement has been the ability to record instructions and present them again to the machine to perform the same process, to either repeat the same output or act on a different set of data. However, this isn't a 20th-century problem. In fact, the first working example of this predates the first electronic computer by over 200 years.
Posted January 07, 2019
Highlights Include Keynote by Captain Mark Kelly and 500+ Technical Sessions on Industry Hot Topics. SHARE Association has just announced its opening keynote, Captain Mark Kelly, and the availability of the online technical agenda for SHARE® Phoenix, March 10-15, 2019, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
Posted December 17, 2018
The mainframe is at the core of technology strategy in many industries, but critics often question whether it is still relevant. In this "Mainframe Matters" series, we're examining some of the industries where the mainframe plays a critical role, and answering the question: Why does the IBM Z matter today?
Posted December 03, 2018
Businesses today have the opportunity to introduce a mix of digital engagement and commerce technologies to transform their organizational activities, processes, competencies and models. At the center of this, the mainframe remains a key player.
Posted November 19, 2018
The mainframe is at the core of technology strategy in many industries, but critics often question whether it is still relevant. In this "Mainframe Matters" series, we're examining some of the industries where the mainframe plays a critical role, and answering the question: Why does the IBM Z matter today?
Posted November 05, 2018
We need to talk about the possibility of your mainframe being hacked. Not talking about it won't make the problem go away. In fact, ignoring the issue has the potential to make things even worse.
Posted October 22, 2018
Earlier this year at SHARE St. Louis, representatives from the Open Mainframe Project, IBM, Rocket, and CA got on stage at the Tuesday keynote to announce the launch of Zowe, the first-ever open source project launched on z/OS. Zowe was created to make it easier to access the mainframe environment, lowering barriers for younger professionals just starting with z/OS.
Posted October 08, 2018
Database reorganization has always been about improving database performance and reclaiming free space. However, as Rocket Software software engineer Ka-Chun Ng explained in a recent SHARE presentation, the new capabilities of database management software have changed the "how" and "why" when it comes to reorganization strategy.
Posted September 24, 2018
It's hard to believe the last SHARE event of 2018, held recently in St. Louis, has come and gone. I look forward to these events twice a year, which have played a significant role in shaping my career.
Posted September 10, 2018
At SHARE Academic Student Career Days, held recently in St. Louis, students gathered for an immersive, two-day experience of all things mainframe. From hands-on learning activities, to networking opportunities, interview practice and a panel with recently hired mainframe professionals, there was no shortage of learning and exchange of information taking place.
Posted August 27, 2018
Each day, mainframes are powering the world's banks, healthcare systems, government institutions, and more, processing millions of transactions a day. It's no wonder, then, that security remains a hot topic not only for the industry, but for SHARE events, as well.
Posted August 13, 2018
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in the making for a few years. It was put together by the European Union to enhance data protection rights for EU citizens and harmonizes data protection laws across all 28 EU member states
Posted July 30, 2018
Classroom education is important for learning new technologies, but when it comes to learning a complex field like mainframe technology, there's no replacement for the value of on-the-job training. With its Mainframer in Training (MIT) program, U.K.-based service provider RSM Partners aims to add structure to this process, addressing the industry's skills gap by developing future mainframe specialists from the ground up.
Posted July 16, 2018
I was recently in Sacramento attending the SHARE mainframe conference. It's always a pleasure to see customers, colleagues and other people interested in all things mainframe. It was especially nice to see all the first-time attendees from hundreds of different companies.
Posted July 02, 2018
For many organizations, data is as much a terrifying liability as it is a valuable asset. In his new SHARE'd Intelligence article, Mark Wilson of RSM Partners asks, "My question is this: are we, as an industry, looking at data the wrong way? Are we missing a trick when it comes to understanding, managing and securing our data?"
Posted June 18, 2018
According to a recent report by research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), global spending on blockchain solutions is expected to reach $2.1 billion this year. However, there's a void of blockchain expertise in enterprises. A Gartner Research survey shows that around 60 percent of IT leaders find blockchain interesting, but aren't clear on what exactly they should do with it. Enterprises want to hire developers with blockchain experience, although candidates for those roles are few and far between.
Posted June 04, 2018
Twelve years ago a friend and mentor of mine, who also happened to be the head of infrastructure at my employer at the time, said something to me that would change my life. He said, "You think the mainframe is going away? I'm not going to try to convince you otherwise, you go do your own homework.
Posted May 21, 2018
Talk to any young mainframe professional and you will hear a familiar story: The biggest barrier preventing college graduates from pursuing a career in mainframe is simply awareness. Misty Decker would agree.
Posted May 07, 2018
The mainframe is at the core of technology strategy in many industries, but critics often question whether it is still relevant.
Posted April 23, 2018
Is your enterprise ready for the upcoming European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)? If you're not sure, you're not alone. A recent survey of mainframe users found that only 25 percent of IBM mainframe customers are confident that their security system is GDPR compliant
Posted April 09, 2018
You know that's not part of the log-on screen on any production mainframe system. The corporate lawyers made sure a long time ago that nothing could be construed as inviting unauthorized people to log on to the system of record for the world's most important corporate data and processing.
Posted March 19, 2018
Security is always a hot topic in mainframe, and that's definitely the case at SHARE Sacramento, taking place March 11-16. Beyond a keynote on securing the mainframe by experts Phil Young and Chad Rikansrud, there are more than a dozen technical sessions that touch on security in some way.
Posted March 05, 2018
How can the mainframe world attract and retain millennial talent? That, and the mainframe skills gap, are two of the most important issues facing mainframers today
Posted February 20, 2018
There are a very few hereditary mainframers out there. You know: people whose parents, grandparents or other progenitors worked on the IBM mainframe, either directly for IBM or one of the other members of our ecosystem in a mainframe role and passed the mantle on to them. But there are quite a few more of us who have found that we belong "in the family" due to the compatibility of our background with the concepts, culture and technology of the mainframe, and have found ourselves warmly welcomed when we were recognized as "one of us" after demonstrating a natural fit with the platform.
Posted February 05, 2018
Mainframe technicians are all-too familiar with the growing threats to data housed on the mainframe, but are fighting against a strong public perception to the contrary. Without a greater focus on education and transparency, the world's largest organizations will be vulnerable to significant data breaches and the mainframe community will be unable to train the next generation of employees to prevent them.
Posted January 22, 2018
An enterprise decides it needs to implement DevOps principles in its IT organization. A z/OS developer asks, "Why change? Everything works just fine now."
Posted January 08, 2018
Implementing enterprise encryption can be a daunting and complex process. Organizations often struggle with questions such as: What data should be encrypted? Where should encryption occur? In a recent SHARE event presentation, IBM Cryptographic Software Developer Eysha Shirrine Powers discussed various encryption techniques available and the pros and cons of each.
Posted December 18, 2017
Any effective data security system needs to be built as an integrated and intelligent security immune system, according to Julie Bergh, World Wide Lead Z Security Champion for IBM. According to Julie, security once mainly consisted of perimeter controls such as firewalls and web gateways.
Posted December 04, 2017
It's not easy to hack the mainframe, but it is possible. Naturally, it's easier for company insiders, who already have privileged access to key mainframe information, to wreak havoc.
Posted November 20, 2017
When new regulations are implemented, it's challenging to figure out where you stand and what you need to stay compliant. From an IT perspective, it's important for companies to show regulators how you protect corporate data, and that might mean demonstrating strong data encryption standards.
Posted November 06, 2017
At SHARE Providence this August, more than 60 students from 16 colleges and universities from around the country participated in Student Career Day and competed in the Master the Mainframe Hackathon. With fun challenges to experience the power of z Systems in Application Development, competitors earned points towards prizes and had the opportunity to connect with IBM and Rocket Software experts.
Posted October 23, 2017
Recent data breaches at major corporations have CEOs across the board on heightened alert. Now more than ever, it's essential that security becomes a main priority. At SHARE Providence 2017, Brian Marshall spoke about mainframe user authentication, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), IRSXT00 for CICS, TSO PREPROMPT, and APAR OA43999.
Posted October 09, 2017
Technology and analytics are being used to improve processes in all areas of business. Software development is no exception, and the leading driver of this revolution is DevOps.
Posted September 25, 2017
On August 6-11, more than 1,200 enterprise IT professionals gathered in Providence for six days of 500+ unique technical education sessions and plenty of networking with colleagues at festive events. What made SHARE Providence extra special; however, was the excitement around IBM's recent unveiling of the new Z mainframe and, attendees were treated to a special message from IBM Chairman, President and CEO Ginni Rometty.
Posted September 11, 2017
In the words of a longtime SHARE member, "as I look back throughout all my years being involved with SHARE I can point to numerous occasions when working side-by-side with peers resulted in very positive outcomes." To him, collaboration is the one thing that remains irreplaceable as the industry, our roles and tools that we use continue to change.
Posted August 28, 2017
At SHARE Providence, August 6-11, students from around the country gathered at Student Career Day to participate in a competitive Hackathon and attended educational sessions, met with technology partners and connected with industry professionals.
Posted August 14, 2017
IBM Z is finally here, and at SHARE Providence, you will be among the first to learn more about the newly announced IBM Z mainframe and its Pervasive Encryption capabilities. With four special sessions focused on z/OS 2.3 and IBM z14, as well as IBM Hardware Management Console (HMC) 2.14.0, SHARE Providence will feature some of the very first education on IBM's exciting new developments.
Posted July 31, 2017
On top of more than 500 technical sessions to be excited about at SHARE Providence, this summer's featured presenters are no exception. Monday's keynote will begin with a special message from IBM chairman, president and CEO, Ginni Rometty, followed by secret IBM mainframe experts (attend Monday's keynote for the reveal!) who will explore the future of IBM Z and how continuous innovation in hardware and software technology delivers differentiated value.
Posted July 17, 2017
Security and regulatory compliance impact every professional within your IT organization. How are various roles specifically impacted by security, and what areas should you be most concerned about? At SHARE® Providence, August 6-11, expert panelists will offer their perspectives in a series of TED-style Talks.
Posted July 06, 2017
There's an age-old adage that young IT professionals feel the mainframe is outdated, or that they would rather work on newer platforms. To one millennial, that's a myth. Luisa Martinez, an IBM mainframe professional, says that most young IT professionals don't have an opinion about the mainframe because they likely don't know much about it.
Posted June 19, 2017
Now more than ever, IT environments need to be incredibly fast, all while remaining reliable. DevOps has emerged as a critical component of IT by providing quick responses to business needs, and z/OS plays an important role in that model.
Posted June 05, 2017
Have you ever wondered about the open source code that powers IBM Blockchain, or wanted to increase your understanding and skills of z/OS integrity? SHARE Academy is your chance to take a deep dive into these two topics with a full day of interactive, hands-on educational sessions.
Posted June 05, 2017
SHARE is excited to announce Student Career Day, taking place at SHARE Providence on August 6-11. This action-packed day will feature the Master the Mainframe Hackathon, where participants can collaborate with other students and connect with IBM and Rocket Software experts, while competing in fun challenges designed to enhance their knowledge of z Systems in Application Development.
Posted May 22, 2017
During SHARE® San Jose, March 6-11, 2017, Reg Harbeck, chief strategist with Mainframe Analytics Ltd. and SHARE Editorial Advisory Committee member, sat down with Phil Young, co-founder of zedsec 390, to explore critical security topics, tips and tactics to help create a more secure mainframe environment.
Posted May 08, 2017
As IT leaders look to transform mainframe culture, developing open and uniform industry standards have become increasingly necessary, especially for z/OS software products.
Posted April 24, 2017
Organizations that rely on the mainframe often face a myriad of challenges when recruiting top talent. While some candidates follow the traditional pathway to a mainframe career with four-year degree programs, internships and on-the-job training, many find their way into the industry through a non-traditional path.
Posted April 10, 2017
If you were unable to attend SHARE San Jose, or just want to relive all the world-class education from the week, purchase SHARE Live! to access more than 25 hours of hand-picked video recordings of technical sessions including Tuesday's keynote,
Posted March 27, 2017
Congratulations to Holden O'Neal, the winner of the HackZone challenge at this year's SHARE® San Jose. Attendees were able to dive into z Systems in Application Development in this hands-on challenge that tested their enterprise computing skills.
Posted March 27, 2017
With SHARE San Jose behind us, we are looking forward to Providence this summer. At the Rhode Island Convention Center, SHARE Providence will feature new educational classes on IBM Blockchain and Security in addition to sessions that cover DevOps,
Posted March 13, 2017
SHARE San Jose may be over, but you can relive all the highlights from the SHARE event on the SHAREnews Daily blog. Revisit the most talked-about technical sessions and find out what you missed.
Posted March 13, 2017