The News: BMC’s recent announcement on integrating generative AI into its Automated Mainframe Intelligence (AMI) platform signifies a strategic move to enhance mainframe development and operations through advanced AI capabilities. This initiative aims to simplify complex code analysis, automate documentation, and optimize system management, positioning BMC as a leader in leveraging AI for mainframe efficiency and innovation. Check out the announcement blog here.
BMC and AI: Enhancing Mainframe Productivity and Innovation
Analyst Take: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing into every sector, and mainframe systems are no exception. Traditionally seen as the robust backbone of critical enterprise operations, mainframes were seen in the early 2000s to be slower to adopt new technology, although this has changed recently with z16 being the first commercially available 7nm processor system, and also being first with quantum safe encryption. AI is making its way into the mainframe environment, not just for enhancing code development but also through AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations). IBM has led the way up until recently with its watsonx code assist for Z. This shift for the mainframe to adopt AI beyond code assistance is set to transform how mainframes are managed, optimized, and secured, addressing long-standing challenges and paving the way for more resilient and efficient operations.
AIOps, the application of AI to automate and enhance IT operations, is becoming crucial as the volume of data and demand for real-time processing grow. Mainframes, responsible for handling mission-critical workloads, are ripe for this transformation. Integrating AI into these systems promises to automate routine tasks, enhance security through real-time threat detection, and optimize resource allocation dynamically. As organizations continue to rely on mainframes for their most critical operations, the incorporation of AI is not just a technological upgrade but a necessity for maintaining competitiveness and operational efficiency.
What Was Announced?
Recently, John McKenny, a key figure at BMC who leads the mainframe business, which represents about 40% of BMC’s revenue, announced a significant development in the company’s strategy: the introduction of generative AI into their mainframe solutions. This announcement marks a pivotal moment for BMC, as it is the first time the company has issued a Statement of Direction ahead of a full general availability (GA) release, which is anticipated later in the year. This proactive approach underscores the importance of this initiative and its potential impact on the industry.
McKenny’s blog detailed the integration of generative AI into the BMC Automated Mainframe Intelligence (AMI) platform. This platform aims to revolutionize mainframe operations by providing contextual code analysis, automated explanations, and the seamless integration of comments and documentation. These capabilities are designed to simplify the complexity of mainframe environments, making them more accessible and manageable, particularly for onboarding new developers.
Generative AI in the BMC AMI platform represents a broader strategy from BMC to infuse AI into all aspects of its offerings. This move is part of a larger trend where AI is being used to enhance not only the development process but also operations, security, and overall system management. I was pre-briefed before the announcement and the team used a quote from me in the announcement blog “Organizations that can successfully integrate AI and cloud-native capabilities into their mainframe environments will lead the next wave of digital transformation, driving unparalleled efficiency and innovation.”
The introduction of AI-driven features such as Code Explain, currently in beta, is a testament to BMC’s commitment to transforming the mainframe development process. This feature, which provides real-time, contextual insights and explanations of complex code, is set to reduce the learning curve for new developers and enhance productivity across development teams. By automating routine tasks and providing instant feedback, these AI capabilities aim to free up developers’ time, allowing them to focus on more strategic and innovative work.
Looking Ahead
BMC’s foray into AI integration is not limited to development tools. The company’s vision extends to bringing AI capabilities across its entire suite of solutions, both in the DevX and AIOps spaces. This comprehensive approach ensures that AI-driven automation and optimization are embedded throughout the mainframe lifecycle, from development to operations and security.
In the realm of AIOps, AI is set to revolutionize how mainframes are monitored and managed. By leveraging AI for anomaly detection, real-time capacity planning, and intelligent process automation, BMC aims to enhance the operational resilience of mainframe systems. These capabilities are crucial as organizations face increasing pressures to ensure high availability, maintain robust security, and efficiently manage resources.
For instance, AI-based tools can dynamically adjust resource allocation based on real-time and predicted workloads, ensuring that critical applications receive the necessary resources without manual intervention. This not only optimizes performance but also reduces the risk of downtime. Furthermore, AI’s ability to detect anomalies in real time enhances security by identifying potential threats before they can cause significant damage.
BMC’s strategic direction indicates a future where AI is deeply integrated into mainframe operations, making these systems more adaptive and responsive to changing business needs. This aligns with the broader industry trend of leveraging AI to drive digital transformation and operational excellence. By embracing AI, BMC is attempting to position itself as a leader in the mainframe space, ready to meet the demands of modern enterprise environments.
However, BMC’s platform is about more than just generative AI. It is also about delivering this capability in a cloud-native environment, acting as a co-pilot for the mainframe. BMC offers clients the opportunity to integrate generative AI in a way that suits their specific needs. The in-product experience approach allows the use of generative AI where needed without requiring any context switching. Deployment is simple on the platform clients trust most, whether hyper-scale or on-premises. The platform’s flexibility enables users to add their data, including their favorite large language models (LLMs), and augment with their own tribal knowledge.
The integration of AI into mainframe systems is a much-needed step forward for the mainframe space as a whole. BMC’s recent announcements highlight the potential of generative AI to transform mainframe development and operations. By providing advanced tools for code analysis, documentation, and operational management, AI is set to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by mainframe operators and developers. As BMC continues to innovate and integrate AI into its solutions, the future of mainframe operations looks promising, with enhanced efficiency, security, and adaptability at its core.
I will hold judgment, beyond my initial enthusiasm, until these solutions are generally available, but kudos to BMC on the announcement and being bold with a Statement of Direction.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
Other Insights from The Futurum Group:
BMC Scoops Up Netreo for Big Buy in IT Monitoring and Management
Observability in Steady-State Ops
DORA Compliance and Resiliency for the Mainframe: Proactive Strategies for Operational Continuity
Transforming the Mainframe Developer Experience With Generative AI: A Day in the Life of a Developer
Author Information
Regarded as a luminary at the intersection of technology and business transformation, Steven Dickens is the Vice President and Practice Leader for Hybrid Cloud, Infrastructure, and Operations at The Futurum Group. With a distinguished track record as a Forbes contributor and a ranking among the Top 10 Analysts by ARInsights, Steven's unique vantage point enables him to chart the nexus between emergent technologies and disruptive innovation, offering unparalleled insights for global enterprises.
Steven's expertise spans a broad spectrum of technologies that drive modern enterprises. Notable among these are open source, hybrid cloud, mission-critical infrastructure, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and FinTech innovation. His work is foundational in aligning the strategic imperatives of C-suite executives with the practical needs of end users and technology practitioners, serving as a catalyst for optimizing the return on technology investments.
Over the years, Steven has been an integral part of industry behemoths including Broadcom, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), and IBM. His exceptional ability to pioneer multi-hundred-million-dollar products and to lead global sales teams with revenues in the same echelon has consistently demonstrated his capability for high-impact leadership.
Steven serves as a thought leader in various technology consortiums. He was a founding board member and former Chairperson of the Open Mainframe Project, under the aegis of the Linux Foundation. His role as a Board Advisor continues to shape the advocacy for open source implementations of mainframe technologies.
