New IBM zEnterprise mainframe server advances smarter computing for companies and governments

IBM today announced a new server -- a powerful, version of the IBM zEnterprise System that's the most scalable mainframe ever – to extend the mainframe's innovation and unique qualities to more organizations, especially companies and governments in emerging markets in Asia, Africa and elsewhere.

The new IBM zEnterprise 114 mainframe server follows the introduction of the zEnterprise System for the world's largest banks, insurance companies and governments in July 2010.  The new server, which allows mid-sized organizations to enjoy the benefits of a mainframe as the foundation for their data centers, costs 25%1 less and offers up to 25%2 percent more performance than its predecessor, the System z10 BC.  Clients can consolidate workloads from 40 Oracle server cores on to a new z114 with just three processors running Linux3. Compared to the Oracle servers the new z114 costs 80% less with similar dramatic savings on floor space and energy3.

At a starting price of under $75,000 -- IBM's lowest ever price for a mainframe server -- the zEnterprise 114  is an especially attractive option for emerging markets experiencing rapid growth in new services for banking, retail, mobile devices, government services and other areas.  These organizations are faced with ever-increasing torrents of data and want smarter computing systems that help them operate efficiently, better understand customer behavior and needs, optimize decisions in real time and reduce risk.

IBM also introduced new features that allow the zEnterprise System to integrate and manage workloads on additional platforms.  New today is support for select System x blades within the zEnterprise System. These System x blades can run Linux x86 applications unchanged, and in the future will be able to run Windows applications.   With these capabilities, the zEnterprise System including the new z114 can help simplify data centers with its ability to manage workloads across mainframe, POWER7 and System x servers as a single system.  Using the zEnterprise Blade Center Extension (zBX), customers can also extend mainframe qualities, such as governance and manageability, to workloads running across multiple platforms.

Smaller firms like PSP --a provider of credit card processing services--turned to a mainframe for the first time to consolidate multiple racks of HP servers on to a single IBM Business Class mainframe with just 2 processors. Additional available capacity already built into their entry level mainframe server is designed to meet their rapid growth projection needs without increasing their IT footprint.

IBM System z servers are also making inroads in emerging markets like Africa. Governments and businesses in Cameroon, Senegal and Namibia have all recently purchased new IBM mainframe servers.

zEnterprise 114

With the z114 clients can start with smaller configurations and access additional capacity built into the server as needed without increasing the data center footprint or systems management complexity and cost.  The new z114 can also consolidate morean th300 HP Proliant servers running Oracle workloads.4

The z114 is powered by up to 14 of the industry's most sophisticated microprocessors of which up to 10 can be configured as specialty engines. These specialty engines, the System z Application Assist Processor (zAAP), the System z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP), and the Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL), are designed  to integrate new Java, XML, and Linux applications and technologies with existing workloads, as well to optimize system resources and reduce costs on the mainframe.  For example, using a fully configured machine running Linux for System z, clients can create and maintain a Linux virtual server in the z114 for as little as $500 per year.

The z114 offers up to an 18%6 improvement on processing traditional z/OS workloads and a 25%7 improvement on microprocessor intensive workloads compared to the z10 BC.

The z114 runs all the latest zEnterprise operating systems including the new z/OS V 1.13 announced today.   This new version adds new software deployment and disk management capabilities.  It also offers enhanced autonomics and early error detection features as well as the latest encryption and compliance features extending the mainframe's industry leading security capabilities.

Hybrid Computing

In a move that will further simplify data center management and reduce costs, IBM is also announcing the ability to integrate and manage workload on select IBM System x servers running Linux as part of the zEnterprise System8.  Support for Microsoft Windows on select System x servers will follow.

This capability is delivered through the IBM zEnterprise Unified Resource Manager and the IBM zEnterprise BladeCenter Extension (zBX), which allows customers to integrate the management of zEnterprise System resources as a single system and extend mainframe qualities, such as governance and manageability, to workloads running on other select servers.

The zEnterprise System can now integrate and manage workloads running on tens of thousands of off-the-shelf applications on select general purpose IBM POWER7-based and System x blades as well as the IBM Smart Analytics Optimizer to analyze data faster at a lower cost per transaction and the IBM WebSphere DataPower XI50 for integrating web based workloads.

Up to 112 blades can be integrated and managed as part of zBX.  Different types of blades and optimizers can be mixed and matched with in the same BladeCenter chassis.

New Financing Options

IBM Global Financing offers attractive financing options for existing IBM clients looking to upgrade to a z114 as well as clients currently using select HP and Oracle servers.

For current System z clients, IBM Global Financing (IGF) can buyback older systems for cash and upgrade customers to the z114 on a Fair Market Value (FMV) lease, which offers a predictable monthly payment. IGFalso will “Sweep the Floor” of existing HP Itanium or Oracle Sun Servers with the purchase of a z114. IGF will remove and recycle these older systems in compliance with environmental laws and regulations and pay clients the fair market value of HP and Oracle-Sun servers. IGF is also offering a 6 month deferral of any hardware, software, services or any combination for clients who wish to upgrade now, but pay later.

IGF is also offering a 0% financing for 12 months on any IBM Software, including IBM middleware for the z114 such as Tivoli, WebSphere, Rational, Lotus and Analytics products.