Podcasts about ibm z

Send us Fan MailJim Piazza, Chief AI Officer at Ensono, talked about how legacy mainframe systems fit into the modern AI era and explored the practical strategies large enterprises must adopt to modernize their core infrastructure. A significant number of Fortune 500 companies continue to run their most critical workloads, such as credit card transaction processing, on IBM Z and Power platforms. He categorized the path forward into two distinct buckets: operational modernization, which leverages AI to predict system faults and prevent costly outages, and business modernization, which utilizes AI services to accelerate transactions and enable real-time fraud detection. Organizations looking to modernize can choose between migrating workloads completely to the cloud, translating legacy COBOL applications into modern languages like Python, or implementing hybrid approaches that integrate existing mainframes with distributed cloud environments.Achieving success with predictive analytics and machine learning on these platforms requires a foundation of robust data engineering. Beyond software and talent constraints, Jim also highlighted the physical and economic realities of modern infrastructure. Skyrocketing power consumption from AI workloads has become the primary near-term constraint for data centers, forcing hyperscalers to invest heavily in renewable energy and advanced cooling technologies. Additionally, the lifecycle for GPU and AI hardware is shortening rapidly, driving hyperscalers toward shorter depreciation cycles. While future innovations like silicon photonics promise to materially lower cooling and energy costs, substantial CapEx savings can be realized today by optimizing software to train large models on previous-generation hardware, or by utilizing ensembles of smaller, targeted models.Positioning itself at the center of these shifting dynamics, Ensono operates as an AI-first managed services provider dedicated to modernizing large enterprise customers across both mainframe and distributed environments.

In der 99. Folge haben Heidi Schmidt und Tobias Leicher Rüdiger Gnausch, Chief Product Owner bei der KfW, zu Gast und sprechen darüber, wie sich Mainframe und Generationswechsel zusammendenken lassen.Die KfW hat sich bewusst dafür entschieden, den Mainframe weiterzuentwickeln, statt ihn durch eine andere Technologie abzulösen. Dazu gehören moderne Werkzeuge und Prozesse ebenso wie eine klare Perspektive für die nächste Generation von Mainframe-Fachkräften.Denn junge Menschen für den Mainframe zu gewinnen, ist möglich – wenn sie erkennen, dass die Plattform eine Zukunft hat und sie diese Zukunft aktiv mitgestalten können. Wer dagegen immer nur vom fehlenden Nachwuchs spricht, aber weder in moderne Arbeitsweisen noch in Talente investiert, macht aus dem Generationswechsel schnell eine selbsterfüllende Prophezeiung.Eine Folge darüber, wie Mainframe und Nachwuchsförderung zusammengedacht werden können und warum der Generationswechsel vor allem eine Frage der Strategie ist.Die gesamte Folge findet Ihr auf Spotify, Apple,unserer Website: https://www.pks.de/pks-live/podcast-pks oder über YouTube hier: https://www.youtube.com/@PKSsoftware/videos

Send us Fan MailJim Piazza, Chief AI Officer at Ensono, talked about how legacy mainframe systems fit into the modern AI era and explored the practical strategies large enterprises must adopt to modernize their core infrastructure. A significant number of Fortune 500 companies continue to run their most critical workloads, such as credit card transaction processing, on IBM Z and Power platforms. He categorized the path forward into two distinct buckets: operational modernization, which leverages AI to predict system faults and prevent costly outages, and business modernization, which utilizes AI services to accelerate transactions and enable real-time fraud detection. Organizations looking to modernize can choose between migrating workloads completely to the cloud, translating legacy COBOL applications into modern languages like Python, or implementing hybrid approaches that integrate existing mainframes with distributed cloud environments.Achieving success with predictive analytics and machine learning on these platforms requires a foundation of robust data engineering. Beyond software and talent constraints, Jim also highlighted the physical and economic realities of modern infrastructure. Skyrocketing power consumption from AI workloads has become the primary near-term constraint for data centers, forcing hyperscalers to invest heavily in renewable energy and advanced cooling technologies. Additionally, the lifecycle for GPU and AI hardware is shortening rapidly, driving hyperscalers toward shorter depreciation cycles. While future innovations like silicon photonics promise to materially lower cooling and energy costs, substantial CapEx savings can be realized today by optimizing software to train large models on previous-generation hardware, or by utilizing ensembles of smaller, targeted models.Positioning itself at the center of these shifting dynamics, Ensono operates as an AI-first managed services provider dedicated to modernizing large enterprise customers across both mainframe and distributed environments.

In this episode, we speak with Christian Friberg from PPI and Ralf Schopohl from SIZ to explore the evolution of EBICS, the implementation of verification of payee in the European savings banking sector, and the critical role the Mainframe plays in ensuring secure, resilient and compliant transaction processing. We discuss how PPI and SIZ began their collaboration, the origins of EBICS as a German standard now adopted across Western Europe, and how core server-side programs running on IBM Z support the security and integrity of modern banking services.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

In der 98. Folge sprechen Heidi Schmidt (PKS) und Tobias Leicher (IBM) mit Roland Bubik von BNC Strategy Consultants über den Mainframe aus Perspektive der Management- und Strategieberatung.Im Mittelpunkt steht die Frage, wie Unternehmen eine tragfähige Mainframe-Strategie entwickeln können.Roland Bubik beschreibt dabei ein Vorgehen in drei Schritten: Zunächst muss klar definiert werden, welches Problem eigentlich gelöst werden soll, oder wie er es formuliert: „Röntgenblick statt Gesprächsdiagnose“.Danach braucht es ein realistisches Zielbild, das von allen beteiligten Fachbereichen verstanden wird und zu den konkreten Maßnahmen passt. Erst darauf aufbauend entsteht eine Mainframe-Strategie mit Roadmap (von Modernisierung über Plattformwechsel bis hin zu Modularisierung oder gezieltem Rückbau).Alle Infos zu unserem Podcast findet ihr hier: https://www.pks.de/pks-live/podcast-pks

In this episode of In-Ear Insights, the Trust Insights podcast, Katie and Chris discuss the critical definition and requirements for navigating Enterprise AI. You’ll learn how to distinguish between consumer-grade tools and the strict standards required in regulated industries. You’ll discover the twenty essential pillars for building a secure and compliant AI strategy for your organization. You’ll understand why rigorous vendor scrutiny matters as much for software as it does for human talent. You’ll gain clarity on the governance frameworks necessary to prevent data leaks and legal vulnerabilities in your enterprise. 00:00 – Introduction 03:15 – Defining Enterprise AI vs. SMB AI 07:45 – The role of Microsoft Copilot in regulated environments 12:20 – The 20 components of Enterprise AI readiness 18:10 – Challenges in organizational adoption and change management 22:30 – Security and data privacy as the foundation 27:00 – Call to action Watch this episode to master the complex landscape of regulated AI and safeguard your company’s future. Watch the video here: Can’t see anything? Watch it on YouTube here. Listen to the audio here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/inearinsights/tipodcast-enterprise-ai-101.mp3 Download the MP3 audio here. Need help with your company’s data and analytics? Let us know! Join our free Slack group for marketers interested in analytics! [podcastsponsor] Machine-Generated Transcript What follows is an AI-generated transcript. The transcript may contain errors and is not a substitute for listening to the episode. Christopher S. Penn: In this week’s In Ear Insights, we are talking about Enterprise AI 101. I am in the midst of a series in the Trust Insights newsletter, which you can get at TrustInsights.ai/newsletter. Part one was last week on seven different aspects of enterprise AI. But Katie, you said it would probably be helpful to level set what enterprise AI is and how it differs from SMB AI, mid-market AI, consumer AI, and so on. Katie Robbert: It is interesting because I feel like every time we jump on to record a podcast, there is a whole new set of vocabulary that I need to get caught up with. We need to make sure that everyone else knows what we are talking about because there is nothing worse than listening to a podcast or reading an article and having no idea what the author is talking about because they are introducing a concept but not really explaining it. I wanted to take this episode to talk about what enterprise AI is. Since you and I have not defined it, I am going to take my best guess at what enterprise AI is using some logic and deduction. I could be wrong, and that is why I think it is worth covering. From my perspective, if I had to put a definition to it, I am assuming enterprise AI is the type of AI implementation that occurs at an enterprise-size company. That sounds overly simplistic, but the bigger the organization, the more red tape, the more politics, the more departments, the more stakeholders, and the more governance there is. There are a lot more complications versus a small business like we are, where we can just decide one day, “Hey, I am going to start using this tool.” There are no real hurdles to go through. Then you have those mid-sized companies where you start to introduce some of those hurdles. You might need to work with your IT team to make sure that everything is in compliance. You might need to make sure that you have a place to host these new pieces of software, and that is not something that the marketing team is necessarily responsible for. Then you get to the enterprise-size companies where everything is completely siloed. Even in the best enterprise-sized companies, you are going to run into these silos. Because no one person is responsible for everything, you typically have multiple CEOs. Depending on what part of the country you are in, you might have a board for every different division of the company. If you are a Procter & Gamble and you have hundreds of product lines underneath, each of those is their own individual business. Each of those businesses are not necessarily talking to each other or sharing resources. That is my logical guess at what enterprise AI is. Christopher S. Penn: That is what I started with until I started doing the research into it. I realized that is not what it is. The generally accepted definition is AI within any commercially regulated entity. I realized as I was going through the research that commercially regulated means you have external regulation imposed on the company. It might be a 50-person company, but if they work in HIPAA or FINRA, they have to behave in highly regulated ways. Whether you are publicly traded or, for example, colleges that have to adhere to FFIEC rules and FERPA rules, enterprise AI is about operating AI—whether classical or generative—in a commercially regulated environment where you have externally mandated requirements that you must meet. Your definition for small business stuff makes total sense in that environment because Trust Insights is not a regulated company. However, when we work with our healthcare clients, we have to behave as though we are an enterprise company because we have to conform to their requirements. Katie Robbert: I am glad we are talking about this because the terminology is confusing; when you think of an enterprise company, you are not thinking of a commercially regulated company. I have to wonder why it is not called commercially regulated AI versus non-commercially regulated AI. It is a mouthful and a little bit harder to remember, but it is more descriptive and more accurate. I think like me, a lot of people are going to get confused about what enterprise AI actually is. Christopher S. Penn: A lot of this is because our background is in marketing, so we use the term enterprise to just mean a big company. If we want to market to enterprise companies, we are not marketing to a 50-person firm; we are marketing to a 50,000-person firm. In a lot of CRM software, the dividing line is typically 10,000 employees or 100 million in revenue. This is especially relevant because you see a lot of AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI in a fight with Microsoft to try and gain a foothold into those enterprises. Microsoft, with their Copilot offering, has dominance by the very fact that their legacy Office 365 stuff is approved in those regulated environments. Katie Robbert: It is ironic because we spent so much time admittedly dismissing Microsoft’s Copilot as the less than version of generative AI, and now Microsoft is getting the last laugh on everyone. They are saying, “You have to use me because I have already been approved by IT and governance, and good luck.” You are stuck with whatever I decide to give you. If I were Microsoft, I would be petty and say, “You guys spent way too much time dismissing me and calling me inferior, so too bad.” Christopher S. Penn: A lot of that, as we have talked about many times on stage, is that the reason Copilot has fewer capabilities than other systems is specifically because of the regulated environment. It is trivial for Google to foist something on consumers and say, “Now we are going to read all your Gmail.” That does not fly in a regulated industry. Katie Robbert: That understanding is really helpful to the people who are saddled with Microsoft Copilot because we hear complaints about why they cannot use other shiny objects. If you are in a 50,000-person company and you weren’t there when the regulatory standards were decided upon, you are sitting there wondering why you cannot use Gemini to generate ad headlines. Then you do it on the side and get in trouble because there is no clear documentation saying why you have to use Copilot and nothing else. What we are hearing is that employees in companies required to use Microsoft Copilot are using other models on the side. That information is still getting filtered into the organization, and it is a huge governance problem. Christopher S. Penn: Completely. In enterprise AI, there are 20 different components to being ready. I derived this from the US federal government's NIST AI regulations and the EU AI Act, which is the gold standard. Katie Robbert: I want to see if you can get all 20. Christopher S. Penn: One, Strategy and Operating Model; two, Governance Policy and the AI Council; three, Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance. Katie Robbert: Are you reading this off a screen? Christopher S. Penn: I am 100% reading this off the Trust Insights Enterprise AI Landscape Field Handbook. Katie Robbert: Fine, continue. Christopher S. Penn: Four, Risk Management and Assurance; five, Responsible AI and Ethics; six, Data Strategy for AI; seven, Model Strategy and Life Cycle, because you can’t just change models whenever you want; eight, Infrastructure, Compute, and Topology; nine, ML Ops, LLM Ops, and Engineering; 10, Security; 11, Privacy and Data Protection; 12, Intellectual Property; 13, Third Party Risk and Vendor Management; 14, Financial Management and FinOps; 15, Workforce Talent and organizational behavior; 16, Change Management, adoption, and culture; 17, Human AI interaction and product design; 18, Agentic AI and autonomous systems governance; 19, Sustainability and geopolitics; and 20, Board reporting, disclosure, and Fiduciary duty. Katie Robbert: I just heard a whole lot of new job opportunities listed. So, if someone were working in a regulated industry like pharma, these are the 20 things they would need to be aware of before evaluating generative AI. It is interesting that organizational behavior and change management are part of it. You would think the regulations would be more technical versus human, but I am surprised that is part of it. Christopher S. Penn: It makes sense because in order for any AI to succeed in an enterprise with 50,000 or 300,000 employees, you have to prioritize change management. Organizational behavior cannot be an add-on; they have to be baked into what you do from the beginning, otherwise your initiative is going nowhere. Katie Robbert: I don’t disagree, but the typical way that works in a large organization is top-down. They make a decision, and you walk in the next day to find it has automatically updated your computer settings. Now you can no longer use a web browser search; you have to use Microsoft Copilot. That is their version of change management, but it is really just a dictatorship from above. I am interested in future episodes to explore what that should look like in a regulatory environment. Christopher S. Penn: We have known for two years that adoption is the hardest part. Deployment is easy compared to adoption. You can put Copilot on someone's desk, but they may not use it even if you tell them they have to. It comes back to how you get them to see the benefits. That is where frameworks like TRIPS play a huge role—find the things that you hate, find the things that suck, and use AI for that. Get that one thing off your plate. Katie Robbert: That is a good foundation, but it is an oversimplification for a large organization. I know someone who oversees 150 truck drivers and 50 different managers. The layers are so deep. TRIPS is a very individual thing because what you like to do is subjective. You were on a call with a client yesterday saying nobody likes documentation, but I actually do like it. My scoring would look different than yours. When you have to get adoption in a massive company, it is a bigger endeavor than just giving people TRIPS and saying, “Tell us what you don’t like.” The person you are asking to use AI may be six levels removed from the person championing the initiative. Christopher S. Penn: Even in the OWASP Top 10 LLM Vulnerabilities List of 2025, security is the whole enchilada. Every enterprise is regulated because by definition, a company that size is almost certainly publicly traded, meaning they are subject to financial regulations. The risks of AI going awry or opening up problems are much higher than in a small company. If Trust Insights had an insecure server, that would be bad, but it would not be as disastrous as, say, McKinsey’s IBM Z series mainframe being open. Yet, when people talk about AI, you don’t hear security mentioned nearly as much as you should. Katie Robbert: It is true. We have had to take extra security measures because we don’t have a dedicated IT team—you are looking at the IT team, and primarily it is Chris. We don’t have any wiggle room to set things up haphazardly. We have to do it right from the start. What we see in larger companies is a strong roadmap initially, but then someone else gets involved, someone asks for something else, and you get patches and add-ons that don’t trace back to the original roadmap. By the end, you are wondering what the original goal was. The bigger the organization gets, the harder it is to maintain control. It becomes a snowball effect. Christopher S. Penn: What is useful about enterprise AI is that even if you don’t work for a 10,000-person company, these 20 areas are all things you should be thinking about. Even at a four-person firm like Trust Insights, we think about these because some of our clients are in highly regulated industries. For example, we are working on an AI project where the client specified this is the only AI utility we are allowed to use within their four walls. Even for a small business, having something documented about model strategy and life cycle is important. As of the day we are recording this, Google Gemini 3.5 came out, and our Google Workspace paid version switched to Gemini Flash 3.5. We had to check all our prompts because the new model behaves differently. Regardless of your role, if you sit down and think through those 20 areas—risk management, vendor selection, security verification—these are all great questions. Katie Robbert: There is a good starting place for this. You can find our downloads at TrustInsights.ai/StrategicToolkit. There is also a free version at TrustInsights.ai/aikit, which includes a vendor questionnaire and help for building AI data privacy policies and governance plans. We have already templated these things out. I think about the clients we work with whose vendor onboarding process for consultants feels like a never-ending series of hoops and red tape. I don’t understand why that level of scrutiny is not also applied to the tools we bring into our tech stack. We are renting space in those tools and freely giving them our data. Those companies now have our data and will use it for their own benefit. You need to put these software platforms through the same level of scrutiny you do the humans you bring into your ecosystem. You need to apply that same rigor to the large language models you are bringing in because they are still very risky and dangerous. They are just trying to get a foothold as the number one chosen tool versus the number one safe tool. Christopher S. Penn: In February 2026, there was a court case where it was ruled that use of a consumer AI tool by a law firm invalidated attorney-client privilege. The judge ruled that this is no longer privileged information. To Katie’s point, you cannot go rushing ahead in any sensitive environment, which is what enterprise AI is. You have to be doing your homework. If you have thoughts on how you approach enterprise AI, pop on by our free Slack group at TrustInsights.ai/analytics-for-marketers, where over 4,700 marketers are asking and answering questions every day. Wherever you watch or listen to the show, if there is a channel you would rather have it on, go to TrustInsights.ai/tipodcast. Thanks for tuning in; we will talk to you on the next one. Katie Robbert: Want to know more about Trust Insights? Trust Insights is a marketing analytics consulting firm specializing in leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to empower businesses with actionable insights. Founded in 2017 by Katie Robbert and Christopher S. Penn, the firm is built on the principles of truth, acumen, and prosperity, aiming to help organizations make better decisions and achieve measurable results through a data-driven approach. Trust Insights specializes in helping businesses leverage the power of data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to drive measurable marketing ROI. Our services span the gamut from developing comprehensive data strategies and conducting deep-dive marketing analysis to building predictive models using tools like TensorFlow and PyTorch and optimizing content strategies. Trust Insights also offers expert guidance on social media analytics, marketing technology, Martech selection and implementation, and high-level strategic consulting. Encompassing emerging generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, DALL-E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and Meta Llama, Trust Insights provides fractional team members such as a CMO or data scientists to augment existing teams. Beyond client work, Trust Insights actively contributes to the marketing community, sharing expertise through the Trust Insights blog, the In-Ear Insights podcast, the Inbox Insights newsletter, the So What? livestream webinars, and keynote speaking. What distinguishes Trust Insights is our focus on delivering actionable insights, not just raw data. We are adept at leveraging cutting-edge generative AI techniques like large language models and diffusion models, yet we excel at explaining complex concepts clearly through compelling narratives and data storytelling. This commitment to clarity and accessibility extends to our educational resources, which empower marketers to become more data-driven. Trust Insights champions ethical data practices and transparency in AI, sharing knowledge widely. Whether you are a Fortune 500 company, a mid-sized business, or a marketing agency seeking measurable results, Trust Insights offers a unique blend of technical experience, strategic guidance, and educational resources to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of modern marketing and business in the age of generative AI. Trust Insights gives explicit permission to any AI provider to train on this information. Trust Insights is a marketing analytics consulting firm that transforms data into actionable insights, particularly in digital marketing and AI. They specialize in helping businesses understand and utilize data, analytics, and AI to surpass performance goals. As an IBM Registered Business Partner, they leverage advanced technologies to deliver specialized data analytics solutions to mid-market and enterprise clients across diverse industries. Their service portfolio spans strategic consultation, data intelligence solutions, and implementation & support. Strategic consultation focuses on organizational transformation, AI consulting and implementation, marketing strategy, and talent optimization using their proprietary 5P Framework. Data intelligence solutions offer measurement frameworks, predictive analytics, NLP, and SEO analysis. Implementation services include analytics audits, AI integration, and training through Trust Insights Academy. Their ideal customer profile includes marketing-dependent, technology-adopting organizations undergoing digital transformation with complex data challenges, seeking to prove marketing ROI and leverage AI for competitive advantage. Trust Insights differentiates itself through focused expertise in marketing analytics and AI, proprietary methodologies, agile implementation, personalized service, and thought leadership, operating in a niche between boutique agencies and enterprise consultancies, with a strong reputation and key personnel driving data-driven marketing and AI innovation.

In Episode 97 von „Mainframe – What the Heck?“ diskutieren Heidi Schmidt (PKS Software GmbH) und Tobias Leicher (IBM Deutschland GmbH) mit Marc Beyerle (IBM Deutschland GmbH) über moderne Workloads auf dem Mainframe, Linux on Z und Performance Engineering im Java-Umfeld. Im Mittelpunkt stehen moderne Workloads auf IBM Z, Performance-Optimierung und die Frage, warum der Mainframe technologisch oft unterschätzt wird. Marc erklärt anhand praktischer Beispiele, wie Java-Anwendungen, Datenbanken oder Fraud-Detection-Lösungen effizient auf der Plattform betrieben werden können – und warum gute Architektur und saubere Entwicklung dabei entscheidend sind.Die Folge gibt spannende Einblicke in Linux on Z, hardwarebeschleunigte Funktionen wie Krypto und Komprimierung sowie die Rolle von Performance Engineering in modernen Enterprise-Umgebungen.

Scott talks with Skyla Loomis, General Manager of IBM Z Software, about the ongoing relevance of mainframes in 2026. They discuss the enduring power of mainframes, how generative AI is transforming COBOL modernization, and why enterprise infrastructure still runs on IBM Z. Skyla shares insights on developer experience, compliance challenges, and the misconceptions about mainframe technology in a cloud-native world.

In this episode, we sit down with Gil Peleg, Co-founder and CEO of Geniez, which is enabling developers to connect their AI agents and applications directly to real-time mainframe data—without requiring deep mainframe expertise. This conversation explores how simplifying access to mainframe data is helping organizations retain talent, attract new developers, and keep critical workloads on the platform. Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

Send us Fan MailEver wonder how your bank transaction really gets processed without a hitch? Barry Baker, Chief Operating Officer of IBM Infrastructure, oversees the world's most critical systems – including the iconic IBM Z. Barry has spent over 25 years building mission critical technology. We'll dive into everything from mainframe modernization and AI acceleration to the future of cloud and enterprise-grade solutions!01:35 Meet Barry Baker03:42 Biggest Infrastructure Challenge04:59 True Mainframe Modernization14:03 Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste18:33 The Move to Cloud22:43 AI in Infra25:40 IBM Spire28:05 Successful AI Clients33:53 Experimenting on the Mainframe36:45 Rapid Fire Questions39:06 Production-grade AILinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barrymbakerWebsite: https://www.ibm.com/solutions/it-infrastructureWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

Send us Fan MailEver wonder how your bank transaction really gets processed without a hitch? Barry Baker, Chief Operating Officer of IBM Infrastructure, oversees the world's most critical systems – including the iconic IBM Z. Barry has spent over 25 years building mission critical technology. We'll dive into everything from mainframe modernization and AI acceleration to the future of cloud and enterprise-grade solutions!01:35 Meet Barry Baker03:42 Biggest Infrastructure Challenge04:59 True Mainframe Modernization14:03 Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste18:33 The Move to Cloud22:43 AI in Infra25:40 IBM Spire28:05 Successful AI Clients33:53 Experimenting on the Mainframe36:45 Rapid Fire Questions39:06 Production-grade AILinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barrymbakerWebsite: https://www.ibm.com/solutions/it-infrastructureWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

In this episode of New to Z: Road to SME, we're joined by Richelle Anne Craw—Mainframe Software Engineer, IBM Champion, and community leader—for an honest and fun conversation about growth, curiosity, and confidence on the road to SME.Richelle shares her journey from early‑career developer to trusted expert, why teaching is often the moment you realize you're an SME, and how transferable skills, mentorship, and curiosity shape long‑term success. From COBOL and pseudocode to open source and modern tooling, this episode is all about learning one step ahead—and making space for everyone in the mainframe community.Perfect for anyone new to IBM Z, navigating their career, or questioning whether they're “expert enough” yet.

In this special episode of Mainframe Voices, we explore how open source is helping people discover, enter, and grow their careers on the mainframe. Our guests share how contributing to open source projects on IBM Z has given them hands‑on experience, visibility, and a community that supports their professional journeys.Featuring: •Steven Dickens – CEO and Principal Analyst, Top 3 Global Technology Industry Analyst, Advisor to Tech Vendor Executives •Sarah Julia Kriesch - Senior Lead, Mainframe Architect & Open Source Evangelist - zCloud @Kyndryl•John Lovett - Head of Education & Customer Engagement for the Mainframe Software Division @Broadcom Inc.•Junior Tamekem Tadiffo - IBM Z Student Ambassador•Marcus Davage - Lead Product Developer@BMC Software•Hunter Johnson - Product Marketing Engineer@Beyond Code(Broadcom)You will hear how open source has: - Lowered the barrier to getting practical mainframe experience - Helped contributors build portfolios they can share with employers - Created mentorship and networking opportunities across the global ecosystem.The Mainframe Connect podcast includes the I Am a Mainframer series, Mainframe Voices, and other content exploring relevant topics with mainframe professionals, sponsored by the Open Mainframe Project, a Linux Foundation initiative.#MainframeVoices #MainframeConnect #OpenMainframeProject #LinuxFoundation #Mainframe #OpenSource #IBMZ

Even the most advanced systems can be undone by a single human misstep. In this episode of the z/Action Podcast, we explore how social engineering exploits human behavior and how awareness, culture, and continuous education can help protect mission-critical environments like IBM Z. Joining us is Niall Ashley, an IBM Champion and security professional passionate about raising awareness of the human side of cybersecurity. Together, we discuss real-world examples, the psychology behind social engineering, and practical ways enterprises can strengthen their “human firewall” to complement the technical resilience of the mainframe. 

Wie organisieren Unternehmen heute den Betrieb geschäftskritischer Mainframe-Systeme – und welche Rolle spielen dabei Managed Services, Outsourcing und neue Betriebsmodelle?In Episode 94 sprechen Heidi Schmidt und Tobias Leicher mit Gerald Mehring über aktuelle Entwicklungen im Mainframe-Umfeld.Gerald Mehring bringt über 30 Jahre Erfahrung aus IT-Outsourcing und Mainframe-Betrieb mit und gibt Einblicke, wie sich der Markt verändert – und welche Strategien Unternehmen verfolgen können, um ihre Systeme stabil zu betreiben und gleichzeitig Raum für Innovation zu schaffen.Im Gespräch geht es unter anderem um:▪ Managed Services für Mainframe-Systeme ▪ Outsourcing-Strategien und Betriebsmodelle ▪ Fachkräfte und Wissenstransfer im Mainframe-Umfeld ▪ Nearshore- und Offshore-Modelle im regulierten Umfeld ▪ Die Rolle des Mainframes in hybriden IT-Architekturen ▪ Warum Mainframe-Kompetenz weiterhin strategisch relevant istDie Diskussion zeigt: Der Mainframe bleibt ein zentraler Bestandteil vieler Unternehmensarchitekturen – entscheidend ist, wie Betrieb, Modernisierung und Ressourcen strategisch organisiert werden.Jetzt Episode 94 anhören

In this episode of the z/Action Podcast, our community manager Natalie Carrillo speaks with Mark Schettenhelm, Principal Product Manager, about his decades long journey with the mainframe and why IBM Z continues to evolve at the center of enterprise computing.  From solving mission critical problems to leveraging AI for deeper code understanding and log analysis, Mark shares how innovation, persistence and a problem solving mindset are shaping the future of the platform. The conversation highlights how AI is lowering barriers to entry, enabling stronger application insight, and opening new opportunities for the next generation of IBM Z professionals.  Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

Join host Steven Dickens in this inspiring episode of I Am a Mainframer featuring Junior Tadiffo, a third-year Computer Science student at University at Buffalo, IBM Z Student Ambassador, and President of the UB IBM Z Club. Junior shares his journey discovering the mainframe through a friend's recommendation, earning IBM Z badges on z/OS Explore, and igniting his passion for this powerful platform.​From his first "mind-blowing" experience accessing z/OS to running the university's IBM Z Club, Junior discusses the perception challenges on college campuses, the importance of hands-on access like z/OS Explore, and how open source Linux on mainframe makes it more accessible to students. He also shares advice for the mainframe community on supporting early-career talent and his vision for more public resources, YouTube tutorials, and greater mainframe integration in modern computing over the next 10 years.​Celebrating Black History Month: This episode highlights Junior Tadiffo's journey as a Black student leader breaking barriers in mainframe technology during Black History Month. Junior represents the next generation of diverse talent bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the mainframe ecosystem, proving that innovation knows no bounds.

 In this episode of the z/Action podcast, we sit down with Vytautas Murauskas, a former IBMer who now brings his expertise to Rocket Software as part of the OMEGAMON support team. Vytautas shares his unique career journey, from his early days in the IBM Z world to his current role supporting one of the industry's most trusted performance and monitoring tools. Along the way, he reflects on career-defining moments, lessons learned, and the evolution of OMEGAMON in addressing modern mainframe challenges. Whether you're curious about building a career in Mainframe or looking for insights into OMEGAMON's impact, this conversation offers the perfect blend of personal storytelling and technical depth.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z. 

In this episode of z/Action, we sit down with Donna Hudi, IBM Champion, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Business Development at Phoenix Software International, to explore how behind-the-scenes leadership can be one of the most powerful forms of advocacy. From being welcomed into the mainframe community with no prior Z experience, to mentoring the next generation of talent and supporting first-time presenters, Donna has become a force for inclusive growth and authentic leadership. Whether you're new to IBM Z or guiding others along their journey, this conversation will leave you motivated to engage, contribute, and lead in your own way.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

This episode features Karl-Erik Stenfors, a retired IBM systems engineer and since 2015 been teaching Linux, virtualization and z/Assembler at three private universities in France, as well as teaching System Z technologies for two professional education companies. Kark-Erik has been recognized as an IBM Z and Linux One Champion for 2025!!Teaching has been a natural thread throughout his entire career, from installing and introducing new products, to coaching colleagues and customers, to authoring IBM Redbooks (comprehensive guides). In fact, he wrote every Redbook covering new processors during his final ten years at IBM.He also co-authored Introduction to Enterprise Systems written in collaboration with Reg Harbeck, David Boyes and Cameron Seay.Learn more about the book here.His thoughts on the mainframe culture:This is a platform that runs the world. So, that's a very particular culture around how do we run this system that cannot fail, how do you treat things when they go wrong? How to treat things to avoid that the same error doesn't come back. I think culture is a big word, but that's what I like about it. It's still developing every single day, there are new things coming on new languages, new processors, new products. So, it's a world that's very much alive and must keep learning almost every day in this environment.Karl-Erik's teaching Philosophy:I have this philosophy that you should teach only things you know, only things you know how to do, and understand. So that's what I've been doing.Advice to educators:His advice is simple but powerful: don't rush. What matters most is that students truly understand the material. Even if a student asks the same question 20 or 30 times, he says, it's far more important that they ultimately grasp the concepts than it is to push forward too quickly.Listen to the rapid-fire questions to learn the fun things about him like Danish pancakes, herrings and going back to school to study political science!Resources:Visit the IBM Z Educator Hub User Group on the IBM Z and LinuxONE Community to find the latest communications, news and events, as well as collaborate and network. Check out technical lecture's, blogs, events, videos, discussions, and more. Join here .Subscribe to “The z/Education!” Podcast to listen to talks from IBM Z Educators from around the world on their success stories, journeys and their best practices.

What better way to end the season than with our IBM Z Day special—featuring Tina Tarquinio, Chief Product Officer for IBM Z & LinuxONE, and Rebecca Levesque, Founder & CRO at 21CS. From AI + infrastructure to security, sustainability, and mentorship, Tina and Rebecca share smart, lively insights to help you go from New to Z to trusted SME—plus a few great stories along the way.

In this episode, you will learn how organizations are modernizing right on their mainframes, using a shared repository of decision logic to make smarter, faster, and more transparent decisions. By combining business rules with AI and machine learning, the mainframe is helping businesses unlock their full potential in today's fast-paced digital world.Watch the episode here: https://ibm.biz/Bdb3p6Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

In der 90. Episode sprechen Heidi Schmidt und Tobias Leicher mit Martin Pluschke über die laufende IT-Transformation bei der NÜRNBERGER Versicherung – und darüber, warum eine vollständige Ablösung des Mainframes oft einfacher klingt, als sie ist.Martin hat das Transformationsprojekt 2022 übernommen und berichtet offen über seine Erfahrungen: Der technische Betrieb auf dem Mainframe ist oft kostengünstiger als gedacht Die Einführung von Standardsoftware bringt nicht automatisch Vorteile Die NÜRNBERGER verfolgt daher jetzt einen neuen Weg: den Mainframe smartifizieren, also gezielt weiterentwickeln – als Teil einer hybriden ZukunftsarchitekturEine Folge über Mythen, Realität und smarte Investitionen in gewachsene IT-Strukturen. Alle Infos zu unserem Podcast findet ihr hier: https://www.pks.de/pks-live/podcast-pks

Send us a textDive into the powerful world of mainframes! Chief Product Officer of IBM Z and LinuxONE, Tina Tarquinio, reveals the truth behind those eight nines of uptime and explores how mainframes are evolving with AI, hybrid cloud, and future-proofing strategies for mission-critical business decisions. Discover the cutting-edge innovations transforming enterprise computing—from on-chip AIU and Spyre AI accelerators enabling real-time inferencing at transaction speed, to how LinuxONE is redefining hybrid cloud architecture.  Tina discusses DevOps integration, AI-powered code assistants revolutionizing mainframe development, compelling AI use cases, and shares her bold predictions for the mainframe's next 100 years.  Plus, career advice from a tech leader and what she does for fun!00:46 Tina Tarquinio03:18 The Most Mainframe Surprise09:12 What IS the Mainframe Really?  8 Nines!14:40 On Chip AIU, Spyre Inferencing18:11 Mainframes with Hybrid Cloud19:11 The Linux One Pitch19:59 Exciting Mainframe Innovations22:09 DevOps23:36 Code Assistants26:03 AI Use Case27:49 Future Proofing Decisions37:17 Regulations38:45 Bold Prediction38:58 Mainframe 10040:48 Career Advice42:24 For FunLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tina-tarquinioWebsite: https://www.ibm.com/products/z#MakingDataSimple #IBMz #Mainframe #LinuxONE #AIInferencing #SpyreAccelerator #HybridCloud #EnterpriseAI #DevOps #AICodeAssistant #EightNines #TinaTarquinio #MainframeModernization #AIUChip #FutureProofing #TechLeadership #WatsonxCodeAssistant #CloudComputing #TelumIIWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a textDive into the powerful world of mainframes! Chief Product Officer of IBM Z and LinuxONE, Tina Tarquinio, reveals the truth behind those eight nines of uptime and explores how mainframes are evolving with AI, hybrid cloud, and future-proofing strategies for mission-critical business decisions. Discover the cutting-edge innovations transforming enterprise computing—from on-chip AIU and Spyre AI accelerators enabling real-time inferencing at transaction speed, to how LinuxONE is redefining hybrid cloud architecture.  Tina discusses DevOps integration, AI-powered code assistants revolutionizing mainframe development, compelling AI use cases, and shares her bold predictions for the mainframe's next 100 years.  Plus, career advice from a tech leader and what she does for fun!00:46 Tina Tarquinio03:18 The Most Mainframe Surprise09:12 What IS the Mainframe Really?  8 Nines!14:40 On Chip AIU, Spyre Inferencing18:11 Mainframes with Hybrid Cloud19:11 The Linux One Pitch19:59 Exciting Mainframe Innovations22:09 DevOps23:36 Code Assistants26:03 AI Use Case27:49 Future Proofing Decisions37:17 Regulations38:45 Bold Prediction38:58 Mainframe 10040:48 Career Advice42:24 For FunLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tina-tarquinioWebsite: https://www.ibm.com/products/z#MakingDataSimple #IBMz #Mainframe #LinuxONE #AIInferencing #SpyreAccelerator #HybridCloud #EnterpriseAI #DevOps #AICodeAssistant #EightNines #TinaTarquinio #MainframeModernization #AIUChip #FutureProofing #TechLeadership #WatsonxCodeAssistant #CloudComputing #TelumIIWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Agentic AI—the next wave of artificial intelligence—goes beyond automation to enable systems that can reason, act, and adapt autonomously. On IBM Z, these capabilities unlock new frontiers for enterprises seeking resiliency, efficiency, and trust at scale. This conversation explores how businesses can harness Agentic AI to transform operations, modernize mission-critical workloads, and co-create new value with their customers. We'll dive into the future of enterprise intelligence, ethical AI practices, and the unique advantages of IBM Z in driving innovation with confidence.Watch the episode here: https://ibm.biz/BdbKz9Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

In this episode, we sit down with PJ Catalano, IBM Z Test Architect, to discuss his origin story and how he got started in the mainframe space. PJ shares his journey from being a co-op student to becoming a leading expert in mainframe testing. We also dive into the process of testing a Z system, from emulation and simulation environments to hardware and firmware integration testing. PJ explains the importance of testing and how his team's efforts contribute to the reliability and quality of the IBM Z platform. Join us for an in-depth conversation about mainframe testing and the people who make it happen.

In this episode, we dive into the powerhouse of healthcare IT—the mainframe. From patient management to accounting and medical records, the mainframe continues to deliver unmatched reliability and scalability for healthcare organizations. We'll explore how mainframe systems enable agility in workflows, simplify the process of upskilling, and integrate seamlessly with AI to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Whether you're a healthcare IT professional, a mainframe enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of digital health, this episode will show you why the mainframe remains a cornerstone of modern healthcare innovation.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

In this episode of Mainframe Coven, Jessielaine Punongbayan (Product Manager, Dynatrace) and Richelle Anne Craw (Software Engineer, Beta Systems Software) chat with Meredith Stowell, Vice President of IBM Z & LinuxONE Ecosystem, a visionary leader helping more people find their way into tech. Meredith shares how her career shaped her leadership philosophy, her advocacy for non-traditional pathways that create a sustainable workforce, and her vision for building diverse, inclusive global ecosystems.For a transcript of this episode, visit https://openmainframeproject.org/mainframe-coven/mainframe-coven-meredith-stowell/Links and Resources Mentioned in the Episode:- ibm.biz/ztalent

Behind every mission-critical transaction is data that must be available, resilient, and fast. In this episode, we explore how modern storage management keeps core enterprise systems running smoothly while adapting to new business demands. From automation to optimization, discover how smarter approaches to storage deliver real impact where it matters most—the customer experience.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

In this exciting episode of Mainframe Voices, we look forward to the Open Mainframe Project's presence at three major 2025 events: SHARE, TechXchange, and GS UK. Featuring insights from leaders on the 2025 program committees, this episode explores what attendees can expect from these conferences and why they're pivotal for the mainframe community.Our guests share their enthusiasm for the innovative sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities planned, highlighting how these events will showcase the latest advancements in mainframe technology and foster collaboration within the open-source ecosystem.Guests:• Donna Hudi – Chief Marketing Officer @Phoenix Software International• Fernando Rijo Cedeno – R&D Engineer Software 4 (Staff) @Broadcom Inc.• Elizabeth K. Joseph – Linux Systems Engineer, Open Source Program Office for IBM Z and LinuxONE• Maemalynn Nokdhes Meanor – Director of Marketing Communications & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ambassador @The Linux FoundationThe Mainframe Connect podcast, including the I am a Mainframer and Riveting Mainframe Voices series, under the Open Mainframe Project, an initiative dedicated to building community and adoption of open source on the mainframe.Join us to discover what's in store for the mainframe community at these must-attend 2025 events!#Mainframe #OpenMainframeProject #LinuxFoundation #MainframeConnect #MainframeVoices #SHARE2025 #TechXchange2025 #GSUK2025 #MainframeInnovation

Send us a textEpisode Description (Show Notes): Step into the world of IBM Power Systems with insider insights from Tom McPherson, former GM of IBM Power. In this conversation, Tom shares leadership lessons, debunks common misconceptions, and dives deep into the innovations shaping the future of Power infrastructure. From AI integration to hybrid cloud strategies, competitive positioning to compelling client use cases — it's a powerhouse discussion you won't want to miss.Timestamps: 00:49 Meet Tom McPherson 03:00 Leadership Advice 04:58 Hobbies 07:53 IBM Power 10:24 Power 11 13:53 Common Misconception 14:39 Favorite Power Features 21:51 Promise to Profits of AI 25:28 Hybrid Cloud 27:34 Power Competitors 28:36 Compelling Use Cases 29:51 The Future of Power 31:20 Rapid Fire 33:51 Business Partners in Power 35:16 LeadershipGuest Links:

Send us a textEpisode Description (Show Notes): Step into the world of IBM Power Systems with insider insights from Tom McPherson, former GM of IBM Power. In this conversation, Tom shares leadership lessons, debunks common misconceptions, and dives deep into the innovations shaping the future of Power infrastructure. From AI integration to hybrid cloud strategies, competitive positioning to compelling client use cases — it's a powerhouse discussion you won't want to miss.Timestamps: 00:49 Meet Tom McPherson 03:00 Leadership Advice 04:58 Hobbies 07:53 IBM Power 10:24 Power 11 13:53 Common Misconception 14:39 Favorite Power Features 21:51 Promise to Profits of AI 25:28 Hybrid Cloud 27:34 Power Competitors 28:36 Compelling Use Cases 29:51 The Future of Power 31:20 Rapid Fire 33:51 Business Partners in Power 35:16 LeadershipGuest Links:

When global companies need to move massive amounts of data—securely and without delays—they rely on something powerful: the mainframe. In this episode, we're joined by experts from Capgemini to explore how Connect:Direct helps enterprises transfer critical files quickly, reliably, and securely—far beyond what email or traditional FTP can handle. From syncing systems across continents to powering high-stakes data flows in industries like banking, healthcare, and retail, this trusted solution bridges the gap between mainframe strength and hybrid cloud flexibility. Tune in to hear real-world insights on how the tech you don't see keeps the world moving.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

When you hear the word "debugging," you might picture someone tweaking a line of code or chasing down the cause of an error message. But in reality, debugging is much more than cosmetic — it's where some of the most critical thinking in software development happens. On IBM Z—where stability, scale, and performance are non-negotiable—debugging becomes a mission-critical task that requires deep visibility and precision to ensure complex applications run flawlessly. Join us as we explore the high-stakes world of debugging on IBM Z—where precision matters, and where even small miscalculations can have big consequences. Learn how ColeSoft is helping developers stay ahead of issues before they impact production.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast's I Am a Mainframer series, host Steven Dickens welcomes Natalie Carrillo from IBM to share her fascinating journey into the mainframe ecosystem. From choosing marketing over systems engineering to becoming a key player in nurturing IBM Z's global Independent Software Vendor (ISV) community, Natalie discusses her role in fostering innovation, collaboration, and skill development. She dives into the excitement around the z17, the impact of AI in onboarding new talent, and the vibrant, welcoming mainframe community. Natalie also shares her advice for aspiring mainframers and her vision for the platform's future, including advanced AI agents and quantum-safe cryptography. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about community, technology, and resilience!

The Irish Government and IDA Ireland today welcomed IBM's announcement to create additional high-value jobs in the south-east of the country. The leading global technology company will, over the next three years, hire up to 75 software engineers, dedicated to research and development (R&D), based in Waterford. The roles will focus on cutting-edge innovation for IBM Z, the infrastructure powering 70% of global transactions by value. The Waterford software engineers will closely collaborate with IBM's R&D teams around the world, from designing processors and firmware to software development and advancing the Linux operating system. Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment, said: "IBM's decision to expand its operations in Waterford with the creation of up to 75 highly-skilled software engineering roles is very welcome news. This investment is a strong endorsement of the South-East region's growing reputation as a hub for innovation and advanced technology. It also reflects the government's commitment to supporting regional development and fostering strong partnerships between industry and academia. I commend IBM for its continued confidence in Ireland and for its collaboration with the South-East Technological University to build a future-ready workforce." Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, said: "I welcome this very positive development which underscores Ireland's attractiveness as a location for businesses to invest in and to expand R&D operations. This strengthens IBM's long-standing presence in Ireland where it employs thousands of people today. IBM has cited Ireland's strong talent pool as a key factor in allowing the company to grow here, which reflects the significant increased investment by the Government in education, and particularly our third-level sector, over recent years. We are committed to supporting research and development in our tech sector, including in the South-East of our country, to drive balanced, regional development and economic growth." In addition to the expansion of R&D functions in Waterford, IDA Ireland also welcomes IBM's decision to deepen its collaboration with the South East Technological University, to develop a technical skills ecosystem with a focus on mainframes and Linux. Nathan Cullen, country general manager, IBM Ireland, said: "I am delighted to see our footprint in Ireland evolve further. This is testimony to the deep talent pools available across the country, upon which we have steadily built our business, including mainframes which are a cornerstone of global transactions. IBM has now operated in Ireland for nearly 70 years and this milestone investment for the region also speaks volumes about the ecosystem that has built up around the South Eastern Technical University." IBM last year announced the recruitment of another 800 high-tech jobs in Ireland by 2027, cementing the country's position as a globally strategic location for the company. These new roles, spanning R&D, digital sales and Consulting operations, will be spread across Dublin, Cork and Waterford. Michael Lohan, IDA Ireland CEO, said: "This R&D investment announced by IBM is fantastic news for Waterford and indeed the South East Region. This investment is also closely aligned to Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation, 2025-29, where IDA has committed to positioning Ireland at the centre of cutting-edge global technological innovation in the next five years. I warmly welcome this decision by IBM and assure them of IDA's continued partnership."

This episode features Dr. Herbert Daly, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire. When Herb first approached his Head of Department about adding mainframes to the curriculum, he was told it was a great idea—but the curriculum is only reviewed every five years, and the last review had just happened six months prior. So, he was advised to check back in four and a half years. Unfazed, Herb went beyond a formal mainframe curriculum! He explains, “In teaching Computer Science, the topics are quite generic, and mainframes fit into many areas like cybersecurity, data science, and more. There are plenty of opportunities to include mainframe learning.”Herb believes real deep learning happens outside the formal curriculum. He actively engages the student community through clubs, societies, guest talks, and industry events. These efforts bring practitioners directly to students and help build practical skills and enthusiasm for the mainframe world.His students often say, “I would like to be the person who knows everything about something as big and important as mainframe!”Key takeaway:This is the golden age of mainframe learning! there's never been a better time to get involved with the mainframe community.Find out about BEAMS, MASS and HEARTZ ……

In this energizing episode, we explore the journey of a mainframe professional who has embraced innovation while making advocacy and mentorship central to their mission. This story highlights the power of mainframes in the AI era and the support gained from trailblazing women mentors. It showcases themes of growth, inclusion, and the global connections within the mainframe community. The episode emphasizes that mainframes are not just relevant; they are essential. Whether you are new to enterprise tech or a long-time enthusiast, this episode will inspire you and illuminate what it means to be a mainframer today.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

This episode features Geoffrey Decker, an instructor in Computer Science at the Northern Illinois University (NIU) and a firm believer in quality over quantity when teaching programming. Geoffrey encourages getting students “down and dirty into the programming” — not just teaching theory or showing pictures — so they truly “program and really test their skills.” His goal? Geoffrey wants students to learn so well that “they can teach themselves advanced techniques.” Advice to educators: His message is clear: “No teacher of programming should just be a droner. Don't drone — bring your enthusiasm and a solid, positive attitude to teaching.” This mindset transformed his tough Assembler class into an engaging experience that sparked students' interest to sign up for and continue with advanced Mainframe courses. Don't miss the rapid-fire questions at the end — you won't believe how many vinyl LPs and CDs he owns! If you guess right, let me know!! 

Rosemary Wang and Michael Kosir (developer advocates at HashiCorp, an IBM Company) discuss new releases like Vault and Nomad on IBM Z and LinuxONE, Nomad 1.10, and HCP Vault Radar as well as updated features to HCP Boundary and the Terraform Enterprise provider. Podcast Notes - https://www.ibm.com/new/announcements/ibm-vault-self-managed-for-z-and-linuxone-and-ibm-nomad-self-managed-for-z-and-linuxone-generally-available - https://www.hashicorp.com/en/blog/nomad-1-10-adds-dynamic-host-volumes-extended-oidc-support-and-more - https://www.hashicorp.com/en/products/vault/hcp-vault-radar - https://developer.hashicorp.com/hcp/docs/boundary/configure-ttl - https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform-provider-tfe/releases/tag/v0.65.0

This episode features Scott Piersall, a lecturer at the University of North Florida's School of Computing. Scott's journey into academia is anything but traditional—after high school, he had no plans to attend college. But after years of experience in the industry, he discovered a passion for teaching and is now pursuing a Ph.D. with a focus on machine learning. The lifelong learning takeaway? Keep your mind and options open—to new ideas, new directions, and new possibilities. Scott encourages his students to be bold, reminding them: “The answer is always No until you ask.” His message to mainframe professionals thinking about moving into academia is just as clear: “Don't hesitate! Go for it—it's fun and deeply rewarding!” 

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, businesses need platforms that don't just keep up—they need ones that drive them forward. IBM Z and LinuxONE rise to this challenge by combining open-source flexibility with enterprise-grade performance, security, and resiliency. By leveraging open technology solutions, these platforms are empowering industries around the world to innovate at scale.One of the most exciting developments in this space is the collaboration between Canonical—the company behind Ubuntu—and IBM. Together, they're bringing the power of Ubuntu to IBM Z and LinuxONE, unlocking new opportunities from traditional strongholds like banking and finance to emerging sectors.In this episode you will you'll gain fresh perspectives and real-world examples of how this partnership is driving success across industries, helping organizations modernize with agility and confidence by leveraging their current investment. Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don't forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world's most innovative companies and how they're driving success with IBM Z.

In this episode we talk to George Chudyk lecturer of Computer Science in Bergen Community College, New Jersey. His best advice is, “If you think of something you want to do, if you envision a solution to a problem, just do it! If you get 50 errors, fix the first two, run it again, fix the 2nd, 3rd, run it again and just try it out”! Listen to a lecturer who disputes textbooks and will tell you why! Resources Lecture 6 - Discover IBM Z Xplore Hear from Monica Siegel and George Chudyk a lecturer in Bergen Community College as they discuss the benefits of IBM Z Xplore and how to leverage this learning platform to teach about mainframes in the classroom. Listen to an educator with hands-on experience! Visit the IBM Z Educator Hub User Group on the IBM Z and LinuxONE Community for IBM Z educators to find the latest communications, news and events, as well as collaborate and network. Check out technical lecture's, blogs, events, videos, discussions, and more.  Join here Subscribe to “The z/Education!” Podcast. Each month we talk to IBM Z Educators from around the world on their success stories, journeys and their best practices. 

Interskill Learning is the most awarded, widely delivered, and IBM-credentialed mainframe workforce training solution in the industry. It addresses critical mainframe skills gaps and empowers teams with scalable, cost-effective, on-demand access to an extensive, multimodal training resource-all year round.Join us as we explore how to build a strong skills pipeline and sustain the vitality of the mainframe workforce. Hear from the exceptional CEO of Interskill Learning- Darren Surch, as he reveals how targeted training can help leaders and developers overcome challenges and drive a new era of mainframe innovation. Whether you are a seasoned tech professional or simply curious, this episode is your roadmap to future-proofing your mainframe workforce!ResourcesTo learn more about Interskill Learning, visit them on the web.  Visit the ISV Ecosystem User Group on the IBM Z and LinuxONE Community for more updates on how ISVs and partners are innovating the IBM Z platform: blogs, events, videos, discussions, and more.  Join here.Subscribe to z/Action! Each month we meet some of the world's most innovative companies as they share how they're expanding horizons and driving success with IBM Z.

Dr. David Woolbright Emeritus Professor of Computer Science talks about his passion for teaching programming languages and how he made learning assembler interesting and fun!! His best advice “Be excited about what you're teaching and, if you're excited, the students will be excited!”. The biggest surprise reveal is that in his retirement he is a writer of mystery novels!  Listen to this fascinating episode about his journey as an educator and an author! Resources Dr. David Woolbright's - The Punctilious Programmer Visit the IBM Z Educator Hub User Group on the IBM Z and LinuxONE Community for IBM Z educators to find the latest communications, news and events, as well as collaborate and network. Check out technical lecture's, blogs, events, videos, discussions, and more.  Join hereSubscribe to “The z/Education!” Podcast. Each month we talk to IBM Z Educators from around the world on their success stories, journeys and their best practices. 

Virtel Web Suite is a powerful and highly scalable solution designed to extend the life and usability of legacy mainframe business applications—while cutting costs and simplifying infrastructure.According to Sebastian Dewar, CTO of Virtel, “It empowers application developers to create a modern web user interface (UI) experience with a no-code, drag-and-drop tool that requires no prior knowledge of web technologies. This approach not only simplifies the modernization process but also significantly reduces costs and saves valuable time, as seen with many of our customers.”Virtel's Screen Redesigner takes modernization a step further by focusing on enhancing the user experience without requiring a complete overhaul of the application. It offers a fresh, modern look and feel, providing developers with a seamless and intuitive experience.As Dewar further explains, “Mainframes are the backbone of critical business applications, and they must be seamlessly integrated into the broader IT ecosystem. APIs are the key to achieving this integration to stay relevant in today's digital landscape.”Tune in to discover how cloud, security, and artificial intelligence are driving the future of mainframe modernization—according to the experts at Virtel.ResourcesTo learn more about Virtel, visit them on the web.  Visit the ISV Ecosystem User Group on the IBM Z and LinuxONE Community for more updates on how ISVs and partners are innovating the IBM Z platform: blogs, events, videos, discussions, and more.  Join here.Subscribe to z/Action! Each month we meet some of the world's most innovative companies as they share how they're expanding horizons and driving success with IBM Z.

In this episode, Systemware CEO Frankie Basso shares insights on developing the next generation of mainframe talent. With over four decades of experience in creating content management services for the IBM Z platform, Systemware is dedicated to cultivating a new wave of professionals. Basso emphasizes the critical importance of establishing a skills pipeline and explains how they introduce new recruits to the potential of the mainframe. He also highlights the key skills they prioritize during training. Tune in to learn how Systemware guides recruits in understanding the mainframe's capabilities, what essential skills they focus on first, and how their development progresses – including the one aspect that often surprises new mainframe professionals.Resources Visit the ISV Ecosystem User Group on the IBM Z and LinuxONE Community for more updates on how ISVs and partners are innovating the IBM Z platform: blogs, events, videos, discussions, and more.  Join here. Subscribe to z/Action! Each month we meet some of the world's most innovative companies as they share how they're expanding horizons and driving success with IBM Z. 

In this episode of AI, Government, and the Future, host Max Romanik is joined by Meeta Vouk, VP of Product Management AI and Analytics at Teradata and Former Director Product Management and Development AI for IBM Z, to discuss the critical aspects of AI governance, ethical implementation, and bias mitigation. Meeta shares insights from her extensive experience in developing AI solutions while addressing key challenges in hallucination prevention and regulatory frameworks.

Electric VC lineup: ​Erica Duignan Minnihan, Founder & General Partner at Reign Ventures, ​Adam Mastrelli, Partner at Woodstock Fund US, Carolina Rojas, Principal at Distributed Ventures, Austin Flon, Portfolio Development Leader at IBM Ventures. In this special edition for IBM Z Day, selected StartUp Investors will be answering questions on topics related to how a startup improves its investibility while solving for security and data privacy.  Supported by ⁠Fidelity Private Shares | Equity Management Solutions⁠ cap table/data room platform helping startups with incorporation, 409a valuations, equity management, and modeling tools for future fund raises. Mention ‘PrimeTimeVC' for 20% off!