[Info-vax] What does VMS get used for, these days?

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 11/2/2022 4:06 PM, IanD wrote:
> The IBM Mainframes are seeing expansion where I work

IBM mainframe sales has been falling for decades. Not dramatically but
consistently. Or to be more correct: a consistent downwards trend
with lots of cycles correlating to model releases.

But different companies chose different strategies. Some companies
move off their mainframe(s). Some reduce usage of their mainframe(s).
Some keep usage of their mainframe(s). It does not surprise me that
some increase usage of their mainframe(s).

> Security is seen as paramount and being able to wrap up whole
> applications under a single framework in terms of security is seen as
> a huge advantage
> 
> We are seeing certain applications being moved off other platforms
> and back onto the Mainframes, especially anything pertaining to data
> transfers and external interface exposure
> 
> I can't see VMS competing in this space, IBM really has done a good
> sales job on the security side even down to enabling security aspects
> on their CPU's that will offload certain operations to hardware for
> increased protections in flight (good sales pitch no doubt)

IBM has done a way better job with z/OS than HP/HPE did with VMS.

> I would have thought VMS could leverage it's historical reputation in
> security to give it an advantage against Linux at least, but I'm not
> convinced it has done enough to ensure it's up to date in the modern
> security landscape and it really needs to make sure it has it's ducks
> all in a row and then some because any failure in the security arena
> could/would end VMS chances of making a comeback

VMS definitely has some catching up to do.

Arne