The vast majority of IT departments in the UK believe the mainframe is the bedrock of their cloud computing strategy but over two-thirds worry about retaining relevant legacy skills. These findings were revealed in Mainframe―The Ultimate Cloud Platform?, a survey of over 300 IT decision makers in ten countries, commissioned by CA Technologies. By Helen Beckett [Published 13/10/2010]
The 66% of UK organisations running on mainframes that reported concerns about keeping mission-critical systems staffed was 22% above the cross-country survey average. This anticipated shortfall in skills puts the spotlight on IT professionals with such legacy experience, given that 75% of respondents believe the mainframe will have a role in any cloud computing initiative. A further 54% agreed that cloud computing will sustain or extend the mainframe environment.
CA Technologies cites the survey as providing indisputable evidence of the mainframe’s ability to support new IT models such as cloud computing, and ongoing durability as a critical data centre platform. "Ongoing, practical innovation will be required to ensure that the mainframe can always be an effective and integral part of an evolving IT infrastructure among U.K. organisations," said Dayton Semerjian, general manager, mainframe, CA Technologies.
As the mainframe takes centre stage in cloud computing environments, organisations will increasingly rely on mainframe management solutions―such as CA Technologies Mainframe 2.0―to dramatically simplify the management of their public and private clouds, control costs, and increase agility.
Mainframe survey facts
1. Some 81% of U.K. organisations believe mainframe is an essential component of their cloud computing strategy, reveals a new independent study “Mainframe―The Ultimate Cloud Platform?”
2. An overwhelming 94% of UK firms agree that mainframe is an important concept to their company’s IT strategy.
3. 75% believe that the mainframe will have a role in any cloud computing initiative.
4. 66% state that staffing issues (greying workforce, difficulty in hiring new staff) are of concern.
5. Download a copy of the report.
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