Mainframe

Definition

Mainframe computers are powerful, large-scale machines designed for high-volume, resource-intensive computing tasks, known for their high reliability, extensive input/output capabilities, robust security features, and ability to handle massive amounts of real-time transactions and concurrent users.

Please note, the broader topic of High Performance Computing has been separated out as a distinct capability.

Purpose

Mainframe computing provides a robust and reliable infrastructure that supports large organisations with complex operations, ensuring continuity of their critical functions. Designed for high resilience and availability, mainframes manage large, enterprise-wide workloads, ensuring safe and secure data processing and transactions, even during peak times. This minimises the risk of system failures and downtimes, maintaining efficiency and effectiveness.

Mainframes excel in environments requiring uninterrupted operation and real-time processing of very large data flows such as transaction processing in the banking industry.

The Mainframe capability is realised through:

• identification of suitable use cases requiring mainframe-level throughput and reliability
• design of solution architecture in line with organisational needs, enterprise architecture, ICT strategy and regulatory / policy constraints and guidelines
• assessment of options to realise the solution architecture design, including cloud offerings and shared access to existing Australian Government mainframe capacity 
• procurement practice in line with Australian Government regulations, including use of whole-of-government mainframe contract and procurement mechanisms operated by the DTA
• management of risks associated with mainframe use, particularly workforce skills, agility and value for money. Whilst mainframe computing is an established capability in the Australian Government, these risks need to be considered and balanced by entities wishing to continue investing in this capability.

Objective

The objectives of this content are to support the performance, resilience and currency of the Australian Government’s data and digital environment, with a particular focus on:

• providing guidance on appropriate usage scenarios for this type of computing resource
• assisting entities to maximise benefits of existing mainframe investments
• ensuring mainframe-based applications and data can be effectively utilised in a hybrid technology environment to improve agility and adoption of the most appropriate, cost-effective technology components to meet Australian Government needs
• assisting with managing risks associated with the mainframe environments, including workforce skills availability, cost effectiveness, and approach to transition to commodity computing environments where suitable.

Whole-of-government applicability

Mainframe computing facilities have been utilised for decades across the Australian Government and are still in use extensively in several key areas of the administration.

While mainframes continue to be used in some Commonwealth entities, there is a need to consider and to efficiently manage the following key risks associated with their use:

• the shortage and availability of expert mainframe workforce
• limited agility to meet changing government policy requirements
• mainframe-based applications may not represent the best value for money compared with cloud / commodity computing options as these technologies continue to mature.

Therefore, Commonwealth entities planning to acquite or to continue using mainframe computing should consider above risks carefully against their operational needs and perceived business benefits.

While mainframe computing is often justified, hybrid environments combining mainframe and lower-cost commodity or cloud computing reduce the risk of utilising mainframe for computing tasks which do not require mainframe-level capability. In some cases, moving away from mainframes may be optimal.

The Mainframe capability is aligned with the Data and Digital Government Strategy (DDGS), by contributing to the simple, secure and connected public services for all people and business, through world class data and digital capabilities, in particular:

• Simple and seamless services: The outcome to “deploy scalable and secure architecture” which guides the APS to ensure technology is scalable, secure, resilient, and interoperable, with systems and infrastructure that supports data access and discoverability.
• Government for the future: The outcome to “adopt emerging technologies” guides the APS to take advantage of opportunities, respond to emerging priorities and promote new funding models to deliver secure, ethical, and modern data and digital technologies.
• Data and digital foundations: to acknowledge the risk of skill loss due to the aging of the workforce skilled in current mainframe deployments and need to retain key skills in parallel with uplifting APS capability to ensure staff can effectively engage with data and digital.