Optimizing Mainframe Performance with Automation

Although tech news is dominated by AI discussions and the shift to cloud-native platforms, mainframes continue to power the world’s largest financial institutions, government agencies, and enterprises.  IBM reports that 68% of the world’s production workloads still run on mainframes and process 90% of all credit card transactions (IBM). For organizations, the challenge becomes managing and optimizing these robust systems. 

This is where automation can play a transformative role. 

Modern automation tools no longer focus only on task scheduling.  They include intelligent monitoring, proactive problem-solving, predictive analytics, improved UI/UX, and seamless integration across hybrid environments.  Software Diversified Services (SDS) and our global partners meet this need by delivering powerful, user-friendly solutions designed to optimize mainframe performance, enhance network visibility, and ensure enterprise-level security and compliance. 

Automation for Mainframe Network Performance 

Mainframe networks, often performing thousands of daily interactions across FTP, SNA, and TCP/IP connections, are complex to manage manually.  Traditional monitoring tools are cumbersome, outdated, and overly reliant on specialized knowledge, making real-time visibility and proactive management difficult. 

SDS’s VitalSigns suite addresses this gap by delivering intuitive, automated solutions that modernize the monitoring and maintenance of mainframe environments.  

• VitalSigns for Network Automation Control (VNAC) is a lightweight but powerful alternative to legacy tools like NetView®. VNAC delivers real-time automation and customizable rule sets that help reduce MIPS usage and improve operator productivity.

• VitalSigns for IP (VIP) simplifies TCP/IP performance monitoring by providing interactive dashboards and alert systems for z/OS network traffic, application ports, and IP stacks.  With VIP, administrators can detect anomalies faster and proactively avoid service disruptions. 

• VitalSigns for FTP (VFTP) enables enterprises to securely transition from unencrypted FTP to SFTP without rewriting JCL scripts, reducing risk and simplifying compliance with evolving data protection regulations. 

These tools allow teams to manage increasingly complex network architectures while reducing dependence on hard-to-find mainframe specialists. 

Predictive Performance Optimization 

As workloads scale and user expectations increase, mainframe performance bottlenecks can lead to costly outages or SLA breaches.  Traditional performance tuning is reactive, resource-intensive, and dependent on manual analysis. 

SDS offers tools that shift mainframe performance management from reactive to proactive. 

• ConicIT® is a machine learning platform that proactively identifies system anomalies and predicts performance degradation before it affects end users.  It integrates seamlessly with your z/OS environment, analyzing real-time performance data and alerting IT staff with actionable insights.  This allows teams to focus on prevention rather than putting out fires as they happen. 

Together, these tools form the foundation for a modern performance strategy that reduces system slowdowns, improves user satisfaction, and minimizes operational costs. 

Securing Mainframe Access with Zero Trust Architecture 

Security and compliance requirements are intensifying globally, particularly in regulated industries.  Mainframes hold vast amounts of sensitive data, yet many organizations still rely on static keys or outdated password protocols that increase exposure to threats. 

To address these concerns, SDS partners with SSH Communications Security, a global leader in secure access and encryption technologies. 

• PrivX Privileged Access Management moves away from static credentials and implements certificate-based authentication. It offers “zero standing privileges,” granting access only when needed and automatically revoking it after the session ends. This reduces the risk of insider threats and simplifies audit readiness. 

• Universal Key Manager (UKM) automates SSH key lifecycle management, providing centralized visibility and policy enforcement across thousands of systems. UKM helps large enterprises eliminate orphaned keys and meet stringent compliance mandates like PCI-DSS and NIST 800-53. 

These solutions provide a critical layer of automation to mainframe security strategies, aligning with modern identity and access management frameworks. 

Improving Access and Optimizing User Experience 

Many companies continue to rely on mainframe terminals to access their business-critical operations.  While these solutions are stable and secure, the traditional 3270 terminals and emulators rely on an outdated interface, which can lead to challenges for training, integrations, and a poor experience for those who need to utilize mainframe access in their daily operations.  This results in high training costs, reduced productivity, and reluctance from younger employees to adopt these systems. 

SDS offers the Virtel® Web Suite (VWS) of products to assist companies in addressing these challenges.  VWS is a comprehensive web-enabling technology that serves legacy mainframe applications over secure HTTPS connections. 

• Virtel Web Access (VWA) is a browser-based 3270 terminal emulation solution.  It securely serves 3270 screens as HTML webpages with 3270 TE ergonomics to plugin-free web browsers. 

• Virtel Screen Redesigner (VSR) leverages existing 3270 application screens and converts them into modern, user-friendly Web UIs.  VSR provides a cost-effective way to transform users’ “green screens” quickly and easily without overhauling your 3270 infrastructure. 

• Virtel Web Integration (VWI) creates interactive bi-directional web connections that integrate host and server applications through incoming and outgoing web or message services.

Automation and Compliance Monitoring

Meeting security security compliance frameworks like STIG (Security Technical Implemenation Guides) for z/OS is critical for organizations operating in regulated environments. Relying on manual processing for security scans and auditing for compliance can be a monumental task.

To address these challenges, SDS offers Ironsphere, a powerful compliance monitoring solution that brings modern oversight to the mainframe.

• Ironsphere for z/OS automatically provides z/OS STIG compliance monitoring.  This solution automatically and continuously identifies system risks and delivers easy-to-follow remediation steps. Results are maintained for compliance auditors’ review.

Automation is the Future of Mainframe Performance 

Mainframes are not going away; they are evolving. Intelligent automation is the key to long-term sustainability and success. By eliminating manual bottlenecks, reducing error-prone processes, and providing predictive insights, automation tools from SDS help enterprises transform their mainframe environments into agile, resilient platforms. 

Whether you are managing network operations, securing access, optimizing performance, or looking to improve the user experience, SDS provides the tools and support to optimize your mainframe technology and operations. 

References 

IBM. (2025, February 26). The modern mainframe: A computing powerhouse in the AI era. IBM Community. https://community.ibm.com/community/user/ibmz-and-linuxone/blogs/meredith-stowell1/2025/02/26/the-modern-mainframe-a-computing-powerhouse