IBM Launches Faster, More Cost-Efficient Mainframe

IBM has unveiled a new mainframe computer called ‘zEnterprise,’ which it said was the most powerful mainframe ever and is more cost-efficient than previous generation products. The move comes as International Business Machines Corp seeks to secure its market leadership in mainframes, which are powerful computers used by large corporations to process high volumes of data and financial transactions.

IBM said its zEnterprise is 40 percent to 60 percent faster than its predecessor, System z10, but uses about the same amount of electricity.

Tom Rosamilia, Head of IBM’s System ‘z’ mainframe business, said, “over 40 percent of Chief Information Officers, who make technology purchasing decisions, expect their data centres to hit space or power constraints within a year and a half.”

More from Biztech

Future Group - Reliance Retail Deal approved by CCI RBI ban on cryptocurrencies takes effect; prohibition could force investors to tap the black market

“The moment when you hit the capacity when you have to build another data center, or the power company says you can’t have any more, then capacity at the margin becomes very, very expensive,” Rosamilia said.

While IBM has been shifting its focus to services and software and away from commoditised hardware, high-end servers are still crucial as it tries to sell a wide portfolio of technology services and products.

The upgrade was well-flagged. Sales of the System z series, including the z10 and earlier products, fell 24 percent year-on-year in the second quarter as customers awaited the launch. The core server in the zEnterprise system contains the world’s fastest, most powerful microprocessors.

They run at 5.2Ghz, making them capable of executing more than 50 billion instructions per second. The microprocessor technology also includes new software to help handle data-heavy workloads, by utilising predictive analytics technology, it said.

The company also said the new mainframes could be integrated with other IBM servers, using IBM’s blade products and software. It will also come with a water cooling option, which could help reduce energy consumption by up to 12 percent by removing air heat, IBM said.