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A Mainframe Renaissance: A Thriving Hub for AI and the Next Generation
The latest mainframe survey is a bold statement on the state of enterprise computing.
Key Highlights:
- Positive perception of the mainframe has reached an all-time high of 97%, fueled by a new generation of practitioners.
- Millennials and Gen Z now constitute two-thirds of the mainframe workforce, driving a modernization agenda.
- The platform is no longer seen as just stable but is viewed as a launchpad for new workloads and innovation.
- Generative AI (GenAI) and AI for IT Operations (AIOps) are no longer theoretical; they are top priorities and are already in use by a majority of organizations.
- The mainframe is seen as a secure and resilient hub for hybrid IT strategies, with a significant amount of workload growth tied to new applications.
The News
BMC released the results of its 20th annual Mainframe Survey, which highlights a historic surge in confidence in the platform. The report, based on feedback from over 1,000 global mainframe professionals, indicates a significant generational shift in the workforce and a widespread adoption of modern technologies like generative AI and hybrid cloud. The findings suggest the mainframe is not only enduring but thriving and will continue to serve as the backbone of digital transformation efforts for the world's largest companies. To find out more, click here to read the press release.
Analyst Take
The latest mainframe survey from BMC is a testament to the platform's ability to defy decades of predictions of its demise. This isn't just a survey; it’s a narrative shift. For a long time, the mainframe conversation was dominated by questions of legacy, skills gaps, and eventual obsolescence. What I am seeing now is a profound and fascinating reversal. The numbers are almost unbelievable, with 97% of respondents viewing the mainframe as a long-term part of their IT infrastructure. This level of consensus is unheard of in technology today. It signals a fundamental repositioning of the platform, from a relic to a strategic asset. This shift in sentiment can be encapsulated in the fact that in 2018, BMC noted that 10% of respondents had intentions to exit the mainframe. However, in 2025, the survey indicated that this number had dropped to 3% representing a 70% decrease.
It's clear that the generational shift is a primary driver behind this. With millennials and Gen Z now making up the majority of the mainframe workforce, the platform is no longer exclusively in the hands of older generations who grew up with it. This new cohort, which is digitally native, is not burdened by legacy thinking. They are approaching the mainframe with a different mindset, one that aims to integrate it with modern practices like DevOps and technologies like AI and the cloud. This explains the data showing that younger practitioners are more likely to see the platform as a place for growth and new workloads. They are not just maintaining the platform; they are reinventing its role. This is the single most important trend I am observing.
The survey findings also put to bed the idea that all workloads are migrating to the cloud. What we are seeing is not a wholesale shift but rather a hybrid strategy. Organizations are looking to leverage the mainframe's unparalleled security, reliability, and performance for mission-critical applications while using the cloud for flexibility and innovation. This is about building a cohesive, multi-platform ecosystem where each component plays to its strengths. The mainframe's core functions are staying put because it's simply too risky and costly to move them, and the platform continues to be the most secure place for sensitive data.
The acceleration of AI and AIOps on the mainframe is a key theme. The survey data makes it clear that this isn't a niche trend. GenAI is already being used by 65% of organizations and is considered critical by 74% over the next two years. Mainframe professionals are increasingly trusting AI to do more than just alert them to issues; they want it to recommend or even autonomously complete tasks. This shift to agentic AI is a major move. It indicates a new level of trust in automated, intelligent systems that will ultimately redefine IT operations. I would also add that this is a smart move by organizations in a market where finding mainframe skills is challenging, and using AI to help automate tasks and address the knowledge gap is a pragmatic step.
What was Announced
The report's findings detail a platform that is being modernized through the adoption of new technologies and methodologies. The survey found that a high percentage of organizations are experiencing mainframe MIPS growth, with a significant portion attributed to new applications. Java is also a key part of this modernization; survey data showed that more organizations are writing new applications and rewriting existing ones in Java to attract a broader talent pool. Additionally, the survey highlights a growing interest in cloud technologies, with hybrid cloud strategies being the most common approach.
BMC is architecting solutions to meet these trends. For example, the company’s BMC AMI Assistant is a GenAI-powered tool that is designed to help untangle complex mainframe code by translating it into natural language. This aims to bridge the knowledge gap and make mainframe applications more accessible to a new generation of developers. This tool can also be used for code reviews and test assistance. Furthermore, BMC has extended its support for Java workloads with solutions like BMC AMI Strobe for Java, which provides comprehensive performance monitoring. The BMC AMI Application Restart Control for Db2 is also mentioned, designed to help ensure compliance with regulations like the European Union's Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). These capabilities are aimed at helping customers meet security, compliance, and modernization requirements.
Looking Ahead
The narrative today is no longer about the death of the mainframe, but its renaissance as a secure and resilient core for a hybrid IT world. The key trend I am going to be looking out for is how this new, digitally native generation of mainframe practitioners continues to leverage modern technologies. They are not leaving the mainframe behind; they are bringing it forward with them. Their willingness to embrace GenAI, AIOps, and modern languages like Java on the platform is a profound indicator of where the industry is heading. I have also observed that this is not just an organizational change but also a cultural one.
This survey positions the mainframe as a strategic asset rather than a liability to be managed. Other industry players, such as Kyndryl and Accenture, are also seeing this trend. Their own research points to the importance of hybrid cloud and the central role the mainframe plays. The challenge, however, will be for vendors to deliver on the promise of seamless integration with these new technologies. The skills gap, while being addressed by tools like BMC AMI Assistant, remains a critical inhibitor. Going forward, I am going to be closely monitoring how the company performs on helping customers transform their mainframe operations, not just maintain them. The true test will be whether the promises of GenAI-powered code insights and automated operations can deliver tangible business value in real-world, complex enterprise environments.
Steven Dickens | CEO HyperFRAME Research
Regarded as a luminary at the intersection of technology and business transformation, Steven Dickens is the CEO and Principal Analyst at HyperFRAME Research.
Ranked consistently among the Top 10 Analysts by AR Insights and a contributor to Forbes, Steven's expert perspectives are sought after by tier one media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and CNBC, and he is a regular on TV networks including the Schwab Network and Bloomberg.