IBM Z for secure cloud computing and digital transformation
The platform is a key element to ensure the continuous secure operation of large critical IT systems. IBM Z users benefit from a high availability of their applications with over 99.99%. Compliance with service levels is simplified by a very fast recovery of the operations thanks to a special instant system restore function. Moreover, up to 500 unalterable data copies can be stored for analyzing and restoring production systems. And IBM continues to develop IBM Z further to always offer its users a state-of-the-art solution.
Application areas of the IBM® Z platform
IBM Z is primarily used by msg customers in high-regulated industries such as the financial sector to ensure the continuous operation of large, sensitive and critical IT systems. However, IBM Z can of course be used for all (critical) IT solutions, regardless of the industry. The platform also enables the development of applications based on artificial intelligence.
msg customer references from the insurance sector
In the insurance industry in particular, systems must be secure and continuously available. This is why insurance companies choose IBM Z.
An international insurance group with around 12,500 employees and headquartered in Switzerland, uses the PAKT system for the efficient administration of contracts, services and offers as part of company pension schemes. This system successfully runs on the IBM z platform under z/OS operating system and was developed by the msg subsidiary Prevo-System AG. The impressive stability and fast processing times achieved thanks to zOS are particularly noteworthy.
An international insurance group with around 8,000 employees and headquartered in Switzerland administers its individual life insurance contracts with the AFIS system from msg. The Swiss occupational benefit scheme also benefits from the PAKT system developed by the msg subsidiary Prevo-System AG. Both systems are successfully operated in an zOS environment. The IBM z platform is characterized by high availability and fast processing times.
IBM Z stands for:
Encryption
High level of data protection and efficient data protection management
Flexibility
Simple and flexible adaptation to the requirements of your company and your existing IT infrastructure
Availability
Simple configuration and efficient access to all resources and services
Cyber resilience
Protection against cyber attacks and ensuring business continuity
IBM Z can also be of use in hybrid cloud environments
By integrating IBM Z in hybrid cloud environments, you can also minimize downtime risks and drive the modernization of your IT at low cost. This way, you can roll out digital services faster and offer your customers a consistent user experience. A consistent cloud experience despite a hybrid infrastructure is the result.
msg customer references from the Banking Sector
In the mainframe-based system environment, MARZIPAN's “M” (mainframe) product line covers all requirements for the pre- and post-calculation of the interest-bearing business of major banks, data centers and other financial institutions. To meet these requirements, the IBM Z platform offers a stable foundation with maximum agility, data security and scalability as well as high-performance mass data processing.
Four of the ten largest banks in Germany have been using the standard MARZIPAN software on the IBM Z mainframe for more than 30 years. Several hundred users in each of the banks, their subsidiaries and foreign branches use the system daily in dialog mode for business initiation, pre-calculation or funds transfer pricing of individual transactions, including internal reporting and approval processes. The MARZIPAN software stands for the highest calculation quality in the calculated bank products, while the IBM Z platform delivers the reliable foundation for stable, agile and secure operation. “Z=zero downtime” and a competitive very low Total Cost of Ownership are (TCO) are the decisive factors hereby. As a complementary service, IBM offers IT teams a wide range of free training courses to easily build up mainframe know-how. This also reduces internal training costs.
In a large German data center with more than 350 connected banks and over 12 million accounts, MARZIPAN forms the core of the post calculation of completed banking transactions. The data basis for subsequent processes in overall bank management, e.g. accounting in accordance with IAS/IFRS standards, is derived from the valuation and cash flow generation. For the approximately 4 million monthly individual transaction calculations, narrow time windows of only a few hours are available within the framework of the planned processing procedures in the data center. The agility, parallel processing capabilities, scalability, and outstanding performance of the IBM Z mainframe ensure that we can meet these time requirements, even with increasingly complex calculation procedures. All while maintaining a highly competitive total cost of ownership (TCO). In addition, IBM offers IT teams several ways to build IBM Z platform expertise at no cost.
Overview of the IBM z platform offer
System
Transformation of applications and data with maximum protection, service and availability
Operating Systems
Access to the operating systems (z/OS®, Linux®, z/VM®, z/VSE® und z/TPF) running on IBM mainframe servers
Software
Essential security, resilience, artificial intelligence mechanisms and modernized applications