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

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 11/2/22 20:12, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> 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.
> 

Personally, I would really like to see VMS catch up in the security
sphere and go after the government market (specifically DOD who have
a very strong need for secure systems).  A conversation with DISA
would go a long way in accomplishing that.  But I have no expectation
that it would ever happen.

bill