IBM needs to find new uses for mainframes, fast, in order to compete with Sun Microsystems, which is positioning its $1 million-plus Unix- based Starfire server as a cost-effective alternative to the mainframe.
The use of mainframe gas turbines for power generation has increased in recent years and is likely to continue to increase.
IBM's OS/2 was the operating system of choice for mainframe and minicomputers that used Lancore's technology.
Krause hopes this service will convince other departments to use the mainframe for their intranet sites.
"Our message was this is a skill you can acquire and still use all the modern tools," said Jeremy Lamb, vice president for mainframe services at Schwab.
Nowadays, with the widespread use of personal computers with powerful capabilities once reserved for mainframe or mini-computers, it is far easier to conduct reservoir-modeling studies.
Computer Associates, based in Islandia, N.Y., dominates the market for mainframe utility software, programs that help the computers used by big companies run more efficiently.
Based in Islandia, N.Y., Computer Associates dominates the market for mainframe utility software, programs that help the computers used by big companies run more efficiently.
Remote terminals for mainframe computers was one of the earliest methods of connecting and using network applications, but users soon demanded access to the PCs connected to the network.
The other investigation will look at whether it used anti-competitive tactics, such as restricting availability of spare parts, to keep potential competitors out of the market for mainframe maintenance services.The stakes are high for the computer-maker, which recently unveiled a new version of its mainframe offering.
