CA Technologies Survey Reveals Mainframe's Critical Role in Cloud-Connected Enterprise and Confirms Challenges in Sourcing Next-Generation Personnel

ISLANDIA, N.Y., Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- CA Technologies (Nasdaq: CA) today announced that a new independent study showed that the Mainframe continues to play a critical role in enterprise computing, has a key role in many companies' cloud-connected enterprise strategies, and that the availability and development of critical mainframe skills remains a concern.

The survey of 200 senior-level mainframe decision-makers found that a significant majority (80 percent) of respondents named the mainframe as an important part of their current business strategy, and as part of their cloud plans (73 percent), and cited concerns about proficiency levels of recent college graduates as cause for concern when looking at sourcing the next generation of mainframe personnel.

"With the resurgence of the mainframe underway and the recent release of IBM's zEnterprise hardware, it's clear that the mainframe is here to stay and will remain a critical component of enterprise data center as companies develop cloud strategies," said Dayton Semerjian, general manager, Mainframe, CA Technologies. "CA Technologies is committed to ensuring that our customers have the management and training programs in place to develop the next generation mainframe workforce, increase agility, and maximize the return on their IT investment."

Mainframe Skills Critical to Cloud Initiatives

The need for skilled mainframe workers becomes even more critical as companies look to leverage the mainframe as a key component of evolving plans for cloud adoption.  More than two-thirds (73 percent) of respondents confirmed that the mainframe is — or will be — part of their organization's cloud computing strategy.

Mainframe Academy

As part of its Mainframe 2.0 strategy, CA Technologies has responded to these important industry challenges with the launch of an education program to help a new generation of employees, including current IT business employees, master core mainframe skills.  The Mainframe Academy  is designed to provide an agile, project-based approach to accelerating, obtaining, and mastering core mainframe and programming skills.  

The Mainframe Academy was launched on November 1, extending CA Technologies leadership in the mainframe market and helping to ensure that the mainframe can always be an effective and integral part of an evolving IT infrastructure.

"Clearly, the mainframe is experiencing a renaissance and will continue to play a critical role in the evolving data center," said Jon Toigo, CEO and managing principal of Toigo Partners International LLC.  "CA Technologies is stepping up to the plate by analyzing and meeting customer needs by investing in products and education to help customers simplify their IT management."

Among the survey's other significant findings:

Increased Mainframe Investment

• A majority (80 percent) responded they will be maintaining or increasing spend on mainframe staff in the next 12-18 months.
• More than three-fourths (76 percent) will maintain or increase their investment in mainframe software during the next 12-18 months.
• Nearly half of respondents (46 percent) are looking for industry leadership from vendors on the evolving role of the mainframe in the enterprise.

Difficulty in Sourcing and Training Mainframe Talent

• Nearly the same percentage of respondents (61 percent) don't believe the IT industry does enough to promote mainframe career opportunities to recent graduates.  
• 35 percent believe that recent graduates are not as proficient in mainframe technology as their counterparts that entered the workforce 10-years ago.
• 61 percent said that hiring either took much longer than expected, took long enough to negatively impact their IT operation or are still looking for talent after more than six months.

Leveraging Social Media in Hiring  

As the industry seeks to bolster mainframe education and careers in technology, companies will continue to hire.  More than half (52 percent) of those surveyed cited social media networking platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn as the most effective recruiting tools.  Fifty six percent indicated that they would like IT vendors to provide insights on the next generation of mainframe personnel, as they too, are feeling the staffing squeeze.

CA Technologies recently announced results of a similar survey of IT professionals in Europe that also highlighted mainframe workforce sustainability concerns and the Mainframe's role in the cloud computing strategies.

About the Study

The survey "Mainframe as a Mainstay" was conducted by Decipher Research, a marketing research services provider based in the U.S. Decipher surveyed 200 U.S. mainframe executives during September and October 2010.

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About CA Technologies

CA Technologies (Nasdaq: CA) is an IT management software and solutions company with expertise across all IT environments – from mainframe and distributed, to virtual and cloud. CA Technologies manages and secures IT environments and enables customers to deliver more flexible IT services. CA Technologies' innovative products and services provide the insight and control essential for IT organizations to power business agility. The majority of the Global Fortune 500 relies on CA Technologies to manage evolving IT ecosystems. For additional information, visit CA Technologies at www.ca.com.

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Copyright © 2010 CA. All Rights Reserved. One CA Plaza, Islandia, N.Y. 11749. All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies.

SOURCE CA Technologies

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