Mainframe Systems: Suitability for the Commercial Sector

The face and nature of computers has changed significantly since the time they were first conceptualized and invented by Charles Babbage in the 1900s. Several types of computers are available today ranging from simple laptops and tablets to highly advanced supercomputers. Mainframe computer is one such type of computing device that has been developed for certain specific functions. It is a high-performance computer capable of storing enormous amounts of data.

Why are mainframe computers widely used in commercial applications?

There are certain conclusive arguments as to why supercomputers aren’t suitable for commercial applications. Supercomputers are the largest computers available today. The computational speed of supercomputers is around 200-1000 MIPS, while that of mainframe computers is nearly 10-90 MIPS. The speed offered by mainframe computers is sufficient for almost all types of commercial applications. Furthermore, since the size and speed of supercomputers is much larger, they are extremely expensive which makes them unviable for day-to-day applications.

Supercomputers are primarily built for performing complex and tedious mathematical operations. However, mainframe computers are built to serve as large databases which can be accessed by multiple computers. As a result, supercomputers are generally built for certain specific organizational tasks. Contrary to this, mainframe computers are designed to perform multiple tasks at the same time. Due to these factors, mainframe computers are preferred over supercomputers for different sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, IT, etc.

Factors influencing the industry’s growth

The mainframe market is one of the most flourishing industries across the world. The market is set to register a CAGR of 7.3% during the 2023-2032 period on account of various influential factors. The continuous push by mainframe developers towards technological advancements and modernization is projected to become the primary growth driver of the market. Additionally, the integration of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technology with mainframe computers is expected to create numerous growth opportunities for the market.

The mainframe market is classified on the line of type of mainframe computers and end-use industries. On the basis of type, the Z systems segment is predicted to gather an absolute revenue of $1,347.1 million from 2023 to 2032. Simultaneously, the GS series and others segments are set to amass an absolute revenue of $1,356.38 million in the same timeframe. By region, the India mainframe market is anticipated to be the fastest growing with a CAGR of 13.9% during the forecast period.

In October 2023, Rocket Software Inc., a software developer, announced the acquisition of B.O.S., another software company. The acquisition by Rocket Software Inc. is aimed at enhancing its mainframe solutions capabilities in the long run. A similar acquisition took place in April 2023 when Model9 Software, a leader in mainframe cloud technology, was acquired by BMC. Such mergers and acquisitions have played a vital role in expanding the scope of the market substantially and are expected to do so in the coming period.

To summarize, the global mainframe industry is estimated to witness a huge surge owing to a rise in demand for mainframe computer systems from different commercial sectors. Moreover, the expansion of the market in India will further strengthen the position of the industry in the near future.

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