IBM Japan said it would continue providing mainframes while advancing modernization and would use existing systems in areas where they are appropriate. NEC advocates continued use, and both companies are seeking the right roles for mainframes amid modernization.
IBM Japan's Murata Masaki (村田 将輝) said the company would use mainframes while promoting the move away from legacy systems, and indicated that it intends to continue providing them during the modernization process. Suzuki Yoshinao (鈴木 良尚) of NEC's Infrastructure and Technology Services business division has also expressed support for continued use of mainframes.
Both companies share the view that there are areas where continuing to use mainframes is the best option, and are exploring their appropriate use during the design phase of modernization. This article explores IBM Japan and NEC's approaches to using mainframes.