Hitachi exits mainframe hardware but will collab with IBM on z Systems

Hitachi has stopped building its own mainframes but will supply IBM z Systems loaded with Hitachi VOS3 operating system software. Hitachi has been in the mainframe business for 50 years and currently its AP series of systems are sold to major organisations across Japan. Hitachi Data Systems used to sell Hitachi-made IBM plug- …

[John Smith 19]

HDS were the only other makers of IBM plug compatible mainframes outside Amdahl.

But no longer.

Looks like in the IBM compatible M/F space IBM has won.

Good news for IBM. Not so good for its (and HDS's) customers.

[xosevp]

Re: HDS were the only other makers of IBM plug compatible mainframes outside Amdahl.

Fujitsu GS21(Amdahl) and BS2000(Siemens) are still alive.

[Dusk]

Re: HDS were the only other makers of IBM plug compatible mainframes outside Amdahl.

Good point, although BS2000 isn't particularly IBM-compatible - it's on 390-based hardware (the same CPUs as GS21 actually) but the software environment is totally different, unlike GS21 where MSP looks like alternate-universe MVS and is kinda-sorta compatible.

Outside of IBM and Fujitsu, there's also NEC's domestic mainframe business, although it's not IBM-compatible (it's forked from Bull's GCOS 7 mainframe line.) Still hard to believe there's only three mainframe hardware vendors still standing...

[xosevp]

Re: HDS were the only other makers of IBM plug compatible mainframes outside Amdahl.

And also Unisys, with ClearPath Libra/Dorado:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainframe_computer#Current_market

[Dusk]

Re: HDS were the only other makers of IBM plug compatible mainframes outside Amdahl.

Unisys moved to 100% emulation in 2015. Libra 880 and Dorado 880 were the last true Unisys mainframe hardware, and have been removed from marketing.

Bull GCOS is also available as an emulated product (Novascale Gcos family of x86 servers, running V7000 for emulation.) So is ICL VME, courtesy of the Fujitsu "Supernova" emulator.

[Doctor Syntax]

"Back in 2016 there were rumours Hitachi was going to buy Big Blue's mainframe division"

Given time I'm sure Lenovo'll buy it.

[Anonymous Coward]

"Back in 2016 there were rumours Hitachi was going to buy Big Blue's mainframe division"

More likely that IBM would sell everything except mainframe, than mainframe. It's still the most lucrative and, fairly, stable line of business. The software licenses more than the hardware. It is not like new companies are buying mainframe and some are trying to migrate off, but it is not easy to migrate away from mainframe if you are running some mission critical workload on it. Many times it is not really possible to migrate, it is a rewrite of the applications.

[xosevp]

hitachi.co.jp note

http://www.hitachi.co.jp/products/it/server/ap8800/news_201705.html

*From Google translate* :

New mainframe environment to support customer's inheritance and utilization of software assets from FY 2018

Enhance collaboration with IBM on mainframe hardware

Hitachi, Ltd. has inherited important software assets that have been responsible for the core businesses of corporations and organizations for many years and has offered a new mainframe environment in fiscal 2018 that also supports digitization using IoT start.

For the purpose of providing a new mainframe environment, in order to improve the efficiency of hardware development, we have agreed to collaborate with IBM Japan, Ltd. on hardware of IBM's mainframe products with high competitiveness, high We will provide mainframe of Hitachi specification based on high performance IBM hardware.

Going forward, Hitachi will continue to support customers' systems by strengthening functions and services that lead to TCO reduction.

Furthermore, by effectively combining core data on the mainframe and data on the cloud and open systems, one-stop and cooperate with digital technology provided by Lumada, customer's assets, advanced technology and open innovation achievement To support creation of digital solutions that realize business growth and process optimization.

The product specification of the new mainframe and the timing of the start of sales will be released at the time of product announcement (after FY 2018).

[returnofthemus]

Re: hitachi.co.jp note

More simply both companies are part of the Open Mainframe Project https://www.openmainframeproject.org/about/members

[xosevp]

IBM Press release

https://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/52454.wss