RFG finds that many future environments—especially those that involve prepackaged applications, growing business demands, and flexible integration requirements—yield the lowest TCO when implemented on a combination of HP hardware and Microsoft software. As this paper shows, this can be the case even when adding in the migration costs associated with moving applications off of mainframe systems to Windows Server. Download as XPS (476 KB) | Download as PDF (216 KB)

In this white paper, we discuss mainframe-based virtualization and Windows Server-based virtualization solutions, from both a historical and a current perspective. Although there are many benefits overall to virtualization, we focus specifically on the implications and "wins" that occur when used primarily within a consolidation effort. Download as XPS (976 KB) | Download as PDF (553 KB)

This paper helps demonstrate that those features of mainframe systems that have uniquely positioned the mainframe in the enterprise have now been successfully incorporated into distributed systems. Indeed, the architectural components that delivered the reliability, availability, and scalability of the mainframe are being delivered to open system platforms. Download as XPS (723 KB) | Download as PDF (571 KB)

With the increasing focus on making data centers as green as possible, this paper shows how a well-managed group of PC servers running the Windows Server operating system provides much better power consumption than z9 mainframes and provides a viable alternative to the newest z10 systems mainframes running the same workload. Read the PDF (615 KB; September 2008) | Read the XPS (692 KB; September 2008)

Read about software solutions used to achieve greater flexibility when deploying mainframe-style transactional applications on Windows Server, and find resources to delve more deeply into the subject. Read the PDF (351 KB; July 2007)

This white paper compares mainframe-based and distributed-based job scheduling products and provides the basis for analyzing job-scheduling capabilities on each platform. Read the Word doc (221 KB; January 2007)

Robert Frances Group (RFG) believes that disaster recovery is a critical consideration in comparisons of mainframe and Windows-based systems. Read the Word doc (113 KB; August 2006)

This paper examines migrating batch jobs to the Windows operating system and the .NET Framework as well as reviews solutions from vendors such as Microsoft and Fujitsu. Read the PDF (882 KB; June 2006)

Learn more about Enterprise Systems Management, an enabling technology with significant benefits for IT executives considering mainframe migration. Read the Word doc (285 KB; October 2006)

Find out how the security of Microsoft Windows Server System compares with the security of IBM Resource Access Control Facility (RACF) and its third-party alternatives. Read the Word doc (184 KB; July 2005)

This migration guide outlines the procedures, issues, and solutions for migrating from IBM DB2 version 9.x for Linux, UNIX, or Windows to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or SQL Server 2008 database software. The solutions provided here can also be applied to DB2 UDB for z/OS (version 8) and DB2 UDB for iSeries (version 5). Download as XPS (1.52 MB) | Download as PDF (929 KB)

Strong evidence suggests that the Windows Server operating system, employing Microsoft .NET technology, is the destination platform of choice for U.S. businesses that are migrating or modernizing mainframe workloads. Of the businesses surveyed that have shut down the mainframe and migrated all legacy workloads to a new platform, three out of every four (78 percent) selected Windows Server as the primary platform to run the majority of their applications. And for the businesses surveyed that have substantially modernized their mainframe workloads, two out of every three (66 percent) have also chosen the Windows Server platform. Read the XPS (414 KB; November 2008) | Read the PDF (248 KB; November 2008)

Many organizations are seeking ways to escape from their legacy technology and platform. Learn about three options for addressing this challenge—preserving, translating, or rewriting—and find resources for further investigation. Read the XPS (586 KB; February 2008) | Read the PDF (392 KB; February 2008)*

Read this business-oriented, introductory guide to mainframe assessment and discovery (A & D) for the senior IT executives responsible for modernizing their enterprise environments. Download the Word doc (September 2007)

This paper outlines the reasons, and provides guidance, for developing a legacy modernization strategy. Read about the key choices and steps involved in creating a modernization strategy. Read the PDF (298 KB; July 2007)

Read these recommendations to learn how to maximize staff and make the most of existing staff skills during a mainframe migration project. Read the PDF (224 KB; July 2007)

Find out more about the feasibility of migrating an IBM mainframe Transaction Processing Facility application to Windows Server 2003 R2 running on a Unisys ES7000/one Enterprise Server. Read the Word doc (1.40 MB; October 2006)

Get insight and clarity into the process of legacy modernization, with a focus on application migration. Read the Word doc (714 KB; September 2006)

Windows Server 2008 implements a significant number of new features and capabilities that provide an increased ability to operate in critical environments. Learn how these enhancements affect the reliability, availability and serviceability of Windows-based IT services. Read the DOCX (192 KB; 2008)

Core banking system migration strategies are gaining momentum worldwide as banks adopt SOA-based strategies to ensure they have put in place an agile banking platform. Learn more about the evolving market, migration strategies, and why Windows Server is becoming the platform of choice. Read the PDF (1.68 MB; February 2008)

Learn about the readiness of the Windows Server platform to run IBM z/OS mainframe workloads. Read the XPS (1.69 MB; August 2008) | Read the PDF (1.71 MB; August 2008)

This document provides a bridge between established best practices in the mainframe environment and those in an environment based on the Windows operating system. Read the Word doc (3.19 MB; November 2006)

NeoSort's world record proves that companies now have a choice outside of expensive mainframe upgrades. Read the Word doc (484 KB; July 2006)

This paper analyzes performance of mainframe-style workloads on large multiprocessor Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Data Center Edition environments. Read the Word doc (143 KB; August 2006; April 2005)

Imagine you were a bank CEO back in the 1970s. Your customer base was growing rapidly, and keeping paper records was proving to be an expensive and a risky business. Where could you go to automate record-keeping? What were your options for more efficient storage? Read the article

This guide uses a specific scenario to explain how to integrate legacy applications with BizTalk Server by using the BizTalk Adapters for Host Systems. Download the Word doc (April 2007)

Following a real world SOA example, this document provides details on how to leverage legacy systems by using Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 and the BizTalk Adapters for Host Systems. Read the Word doc (1.1 MB; April 2007)

Download and read this white paper to learn about tasks associated with exposing functionality on IBM mainframe (z/OS) and AS/400 (iSeries) platforms. Read the Word doc (1.7 MB; April 2007)