Since its creation, the mainframe has continuously evolved to meet user needs. With recent advancements in technology and the adoption of new processes and approaches, the platform has proven itself to be a hub of innovation while maintaining the reliability and security that have been its hallmarks for over 60 years. At BMC, we’re committed to providing you with the tools and innovations that you need to establish competitive advantage and satisfy your customers while keeping your core systems secure and efficient.
From a new approach to secondary data storage to inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) that enhances productivity and efficiency, the January 2025 release of enhancements to the BMC AMI portfolio breaks new ground in enabling what is possible on the mainframe.
Scalable cloud backup and storage for every mainframe utility, faster and cheaper than tape
BMC AMI Cloud introduces an industry first with Cloud Data Sets (CDS), a patented innovation enabling direct access to object storage on-prem or in a hyperscaler without modifying existing processes.
Today, secondary backup storage and retrieval of mainframe data on tape and virtual tape libraries (VTLs) is costly and time-consuming. The CDS feature in BMC AMI Cloud Data provides a seamless transition to object storage, which streamlines backup and recovery and offers cost savings over traditional solutions.
Additionally, with cloud data sets current users of BMC AMI FDR can now redirect their tape backups to object storage without direct access storage device (DASD) or VTL staging, or any changes to code. This results in faster backups, improved disaster recovery, and the ability to eliminate the cost and infrastructure requirements of physical tape and VTL storage.
Faster software development and delivery
In 2024, we introduced a new COBOL code explanation feature in BMC AMI DevX Code Insights, powered by BMC AMI Assistant. Driven by generative AI (GenAI), code explanation empowers developers by providing a short summary of a section of code’s business logic and details of the code’s logic flow.
In 2025, we are adding to BMC AMI Assistant for BMC AMI DevX Code Insights to include the widest language support in the industry – including explanations of code written in PL/I, JCL, and Assembler. This expands developers’ capability to understand and maintain mainframe code in all relevant languages, enabling them to review, extend, and test mainframe code with unmatched efficiency.
Java application performance analysis
Results of the 2024 BMC Mainframe Survey show that the use of Java on the platform is increasing, and with it, the demand for improved application performance. The new BMC AMI Stobe for Java® enables comprehensive application performance management and analysis in a single tool with a user-friendly web interface. BMC AMI Strobe for Java® allows developers to easily pinpoint sources of excessive resource demand and shift left to conduct performance tests earlier in the software delivery lifecycle.
Hybrid AI-powered root cause analysis
Powered by BMC AMI Assistant, new hybrid AI capabilities which combine AI/ML with GenAI in BMC AMI Ops Insight simplify root cause analysis, helping to reduce mean time to detection (MTTD) and mean time to resolution (MTTR). New interactive dashboards also empower users to create and personalize focused views based on their observability needs. By giving systems programmers greater control over the information they see, these customized insights enable faster and smarter decision-making.
Increased database efficiency and synchronization
New features in BMC AMI Data help maximize efficiency and accelerate database updates. Parallel reorg processing in BMC AMI Change Manager for Db2® reduces the downtime associated with sequential processing of reorgs while enhancing resource utilization. BMC AMI SQL Assurance for Db2® integrates with GitLab to deliver an automated shift-left approach that enables organizations to catch SQL performance and compliance issues early in the DevOps pipeline.
BMC AMI Change Manager for IMS™ helps streamline creation of SQL queries for managed application control blocks (ACBs) with a new autocomplete feature for SQL Processing Using File Input (SPUFI). By suggesting relevant keywords and snippets in real time, it boosts query speed, reduces errors, and improves user productivity.
Simplified installation of BMC AMI products
Based on customer feedback, we’re introducing a new, streamlined IBM® z/OS® Management Facility (z/OSMF) install process for BMC AMI solutions, beginning with BMC AMI Security. This new installation experience covers every step of installation, including ordering, downloading, and installing the product. Enhancements include embedded installation documentation, fewer questions asked during install, saving answers to speed up future installs, reordering and grouping of similar install steps by role, and more.
The new install process aims to decrease the time required to gain value from your BMC AMI solutions while making the process easier and more convenient for you.
New education courses
New additions to the BMC Education library this quarter include courses on BMC AMI Storage, BMC AMI Security, and BMC AMI Data.
Dedicated to mainframe optimization and transformation
BMC resolves to continue providing new tools and features that advance mainframe transformation each quarter. For more information on all of the industry-leading enhancements included in the January 2025 BMC AMI release, visit our What’s New in Mainframe Solutions page.
