This year’s IBM’s TechXchange Conference takes place on October 21-24 at the Mandalay Bay – Las Vegas. More than 5,000 technical attendees will be on-site to engage, network and attend the more than 1,000 sessions, demos, instructor-led labs and roadmap discussions.
The Open Mainframe Project will be featured as part of the Community Day being held on Monday, October 21. Whether it is Zowe, Galasa, Mentorship, Mainframe Open Education, COBOL Programming Course, Feilong, Software Discovery Tool, or others…there will be something for everyone.
Register using Open Mainframe Project’s link and receive a 30% discount. Click here: https://ibm.co/3KbeObO
Schedule:
| Time | Room 1 (South), Jasmine E, Level 3 | Room 2 (South), Jasmine F, Level 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Link Open Mainframe Project’s Room 1 schedule to your IBM TechXchange agendaClick here Open Mainframe Project - Room 1 (South), Jasmine E, Level 3 | Link Open Mainframe Project’s Room 2 schedule to your IBM TechXchange agendaClick here Open Mainframe Project - Room 2 (South), Jasmine F, Level 3 |
| 11:30 am | Redefining developer experience on the Mainframe with AI and CommunityAbstract:
Mainframes, while historically known for their security and reliability, are evolving rapidly with the integration of modern tools, DevOps practices, AI technologies, and advanced security frameworks. By leveraging tools like Zowe, Galasa and COBOL Check, along with AI-powered solutions, enterprises can future-proof their mainframe environments while maintaining the security and performance they’ve come to rely on.
In this keynote, Meredith Stowell, Vice President of Ecosystems at IBM and member of the Open Mainframe Project Governing Board, will unveil a few new projects under the Open Mainframe Project umbrella that advance developer experience on the mainframe.
John Mertic, Open Mainframe Project | |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch time | |
| 1:00 pm | The Future of the Mainframe is here with Zowe LTS V3Open Mainframe Project's Zowe recently launched its LongTerm Support V3 release. It offers vendors and customers the ability to execute on modernization initiatives with stability, security, interoperability as well as easy installation and a continuous delivery model for receiving upgraded features. The latest V3 release introduces new components that expand capabilities to client SDKs and additional IDEs, reflecting Zowe’s ongoing evolution to meet the needs of the mainframe ecosystem. Notably, this update enhances the Zowe API Mediation Layer, a key component our customers view as essential in transforming the role of the mainframe in their multi-platform environments. Learn more in this session presented by several Zowe ZAC and TSC leaders. Michelle Eggers, NetSPI | Architecting and Implementing DevOpsAbstract: DevOps practices, along with technologies like Git, have revolutionized the way software development is done, especially in terms of collaboration, automation, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD). Legacy SCM systems often lack the flexibility, scalability, and collaborative features required in modern software development environments. Migrating from legacy SCM systems to Git-based DevOps environments may involve challenges such as data migration, tool integration, and cultural shifts within the organization. However, the benefits far outweigh the challenges, as it empowers teams to innovate faster, improve productivity, and deliver software with greater reliability and quality. Vicom Infinity, A Converge Company, will present and discuss their client experiences. Len Santalucia, Vincent Terrone, and Greg Powiedziuk, Vicom Infinity, A Converge Company |
| 1:30 pm | Customer Success Stories with Zowe – Joe Winchester, IBMAbstract: A number of mainframe customers are using Zowe for scenarios from education, DevOps, automated testing, Db2 administration, through to ad-hoc scripting to create custom dashboards. This talk will cover a number of these, and include customer quotes (with recorded videos from customers) and is built around successful use cases and stories to show why 85% of mainframe shops report they are using Zowe and the scenarios that resonate and find success in the field. Joe Winchester, IBM | Reflections on Open Source LeadershipAbstract: This talk discusses the challenges and successes of leading an open source project such as the Open Mainframe Project. What would we like our leadership to do? How would we like them to see the world differently? Donna Hudi - Phoenix Software; Holly Cummins - Red Hat; J.J. Lovett - Broadcom; and Sudharsana Srinivasan - IBM |
| 2:00 pm | Streamline your Zowe Experience: From Installation to Implementation with new install optionsAbstract: The Zowe community has been hard at work incorporating user feedback to make installation a perfect fit for your organization.
We’re excited to introduce several new installation options, such as the Zowe Server Install Wizard, designed to simplify and streamline the installation process. It transforms what was once a daunting task into a straightforward, user-friendly experience, ensuring that even those new to open systems can get Zowe operational with ease. This installer is empowered by a renewed commitment to simplified documentation and sample jobs that can be reviewed at any step of installation with new dry-run capabilities.
This session discusses different personas and their preferred methods for Zowe installation. We will also review of performance improvements and recommended configuration features. By the end of this session, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to confidently install, configure, and utilize Zowe, empowering your organization to begin or accelerate your mainframe modernization journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to simplify your Zowe journey and stay ahead in the evolving landscape of mainframe technology. Sean Grady, Rocket Software | Call to Action: Join the SIG OpenTelemetry on MainframeAbstract: OpenTelemetry is a key component of the new observability stack. With effective observability, companies gain a better insight into their often-complex distributed applications and can react more quickly to revenue impacting problems. Research among mainframe customers shows that mainframe integration is a mandatory requirement for the new observability stack. OpenTelemetry provides the technical requirements for extracting and converting signals from any source and distributing them flexibly to any backend. The OpenTelemetry project and the Open Mainframe Project jointly founded the new Special Interest Group (SIG) "OpenTelemetry on Mainframe" at the beginning of the year. The goal of this group is to enable OpenTelemetry for the mainframe to standardize and simplify the export of mainframe telemetry. Join this session to learn more about OpenTelemetry, the SIG's activities and the areas where we invite you to contribute to improving the OpenTelemetry support on the mainframe. Rudiger Schulze, IBM |
| 2:30 pm | Is that Available on the Mainframe? An Open Source Software JourneyAbstract: The modern rise of open source software on the mainframe has increased innovation and collaboration on the platform in a way we’ve never seen before. But as a user or developer on the platform, how do you keep track of all these new projects? And how do you see whether an interesting new open source tool you found works on mainframes? And does it work on IBM z/OS, or just Linux? In this talk I’ll explore some of the consolidation efforts to make it easier to search for open source projects like the Open Mainframe Project Software Discovery Tool and the Open Mainframe Project Interactive Landscape. From there I’ll highlight some of the vendor-driven open source repositories that are available, and where to find those. I’ll conclude by sharing some best practices for figuring out how to find out for yourself whether something works on the platform, from keywords to search for to simply giving it a try yourself. Elizabeth Joseph, IBM | Making a Case for COBOL – Time to Shout about it!Abstract: COBOL's quiet efficiency and fitness for purpose has kept it running great chunks of the economy, without fuss, for 65 years. But is its humble brilliance the cause of a near existential crisis? In its 65th anniversary year, and using fresh input from those who use every day, we ask - is it time to shout about COBOL all over again? Reg Harbeck, Mainframe Analytics ltd. and Tom Ross, IBM |
| 3:00 pm | From 3270 Interfaces to IDEs and GUIsAbstract: We want and need to inspire young talent for the mainframe. This will be difficult if we first have to teach them how to use 3270 interfaces and TSO/ISPF. It will be much easier if we can use graphical interfaces that the young talents have already mastered. We try to convince our customers that getting started quickly is easier and more efficient if you use the new technologies that are available on the mainframe! Wolfram Greis, European Mainframe Academy | Crowdsourcing Mainframe EducationAbstract: Open Mainframe Project has education opportunities that has helped more than 200 students, new developers and engineers looking for a refresher. Whether it is the hands-on COBOL Programming Course, Mainframe Open Education focusing on ‘open sourcing’ mainframe learning roadmaps and community knowledge transfer, or the Mentorship program, there is something for everyone. Join us to learn (pun intended!) about the educational opportunities offered through the Open Mainframe Project and how you can get involved either as a student or a teacher/mentor. J.J. Lovett - Broadcom; Michael Bauer - Broadcom; Elizabeth Joseph - IBM |
| 3:30 pm | zopen community – Modernizing z/OS through Open SourceAbstract: In this session, we will discuss the benefits of using open-source tooling on z/OS and how it can help organizations to improve their efficiency, security, and innovation. We will cover the latest updates, including newly released tools, git, githubcli, gitlab, jq, gpg and more! We will also discuss the new zopen package manager, which allows developers and system administrators to efficiently manage their zopen community installations. Finally, we will discuss the newly released IBM product, IBM Open Enterprise Foundation for z/OS, which provides support for 8 core tools (Git, Bash, Curl, Vim, Less, Perl, Ncurses) zopen community documentation: https://zosopentools.github.io/meta Igor Todorovski, IBM Canada | Mainframes for the New GenerationAbstract: Mainframe systems serve as the backbone of critical financial processes around the world, yet there's a shortage of skilled mainframe professionals and a waning interest among the new generation of software engineers. Is there a fix to this dilemma? How can we implement mainframe modernization for the new generation? Jessielaine Punongbyan, Dynatrace |
| 4:00 pm | Build Your Zowe Skills!Abstract: Your modern mainframe career needs Zowe Skills, so BUILD THEM UP! Join Open Mainframe Project Ambassador Darren Surch for a walk through the OMP's massive array of at-your-fingertips Zowe training resources including Zowe Docs, YouTube Channel, Zowe code, Free Trials, Blogs and a Slack Channel! There are even structured online Zowe courses which earn you a bragworthy Open Mainframe Project digital badge to show the world your Zowe skills! Darren Surch, Interskill | How is Integration Testing in Hybrid Cloud Possible?Abstract: This talk explores the challenges and solutions associated with conducting integration testing in hybrid cloud environments, where applications span both on-premises (z/OS) and cloud infrastructures. Focused on the innovative Galasa open-source project, the discussion delves into how Galasa addresses the complexities of hybrid cloud testing, offering a comprehensive framework for validating the interoperability of diverse components. Attendees will gain insights into practical strategies, best practices, and real-world examples, empowering them to effectively navigate the intricacies of integration testing in the evolving landscape of hybrid cloud computing. Gerald Mitchell, IBM |
| 4:30 pm | Empowering Mainframe Modernization: Leveraging SRE Expertise with Zowe or AnsibleAbstract: In this session, we will delve into the essential role of Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) in modernizing Mainframe systems, highlighting key tools such as Zowe, Ansible, Python, and VSCode. Join us to discover how SRE principles and open source tools can be applied to improve Mainframe reliability, efficiency, and scalability. Jan Prihoda, Broadcom | Today’s COBOL – What you should know!Abstract: In this session Sudharsana Srinivasan, the co-chair for the COBOL Programming Course and Michael Bauer (Broadcom) will discuss how this Open Mainframe Project has been shifting perception about COBOL in the community over the past 4 years by bringing in test automation, CI/CD pipeline, etc to the course. You don't want to miss this session, if you want to learn how this course is enabling our application developers, our next generation of technologists with the latest tools. You don't have to take my word for it, you can hear firsthand from our summer mentorship program mentee Rituraj Mahato! Sudharsana Srinivasan- IBM; Michael Bauer - Broadcom |
| 5:00 pm | Turbocharging the Mainframe Developer Experience with Zowe and Code4zAbstract: Visual Studio Code is a top choice for today’s developers and cloud development environments (CDEs) are gaining traction but these tools have been inaccessible to developers of z/OS-based applications, until now. With Zowe and Code4z, mainframe developers are free to use these powerful tools wherever their source code resides (e.g., Git, mainframe SCM, datasets). Streamlined code navigation alone provides a compelling reason to adopt VS Code, or a compatible CDE, and with AI assistance and platform engineering rapidly emerging, teams should prepare themselves by adopting contemporary AppDev tools like these. The Code4z extension pack includes the Zowe Explorer that streamlines interaction with mainframe data sets, USS files, and jobs while Zowe CLI-enabled automations are easily accessed and run. Join this session to see the Zowe- and Code4z-enabled workflows, from discover to deploy, in action. Vaughn Marshall, Broadcom | zopen community V8 Port Needs your Help!Abstract: The IBM open source organization, "zopen community", hosts a collection of Linux tools that are ported to z/OS Unix System Services. A recent addition to the collection is Google’s Chromium V8 JavaScript engine and supporting tools. Successfully porting the engine and tools required a collaborative effort between Broadcom and IBM. Ongoing efforts to upstream the work to Google are in progress. Additional work needs to be done to complete the port - not all features work to the same degree as on other platforms. This joint talk with Igor Todorovski of IBM is to publicize the effort and seek contributions from other developers. This is an opportunity to contribute to open source projects that benefit the whole zopen community and USS community. John Davis, Broadcom |
| Time | Open Mainframe Project Track |
|---|---|
| 1:00 pm | Getting the most out of the Latest Features in Linux and KVM on IBM Z and LinuxONEThis session will start with a brief overview of all available Linux distributions on the IBM Z and LinuxONE platforms, before existing and upcoming features that are currently under development by IBM and the open source community are covered. The presentation will address both, IBM Z-specific features, as well as platform-independent developments which are relevant to Linux on IBM Z, and will end with the latest news on KVM on the platform. Stefan Raspl, IBM Europe |
| 2:00 pm | SSO is Packaged with the Modern Mainframe; Are You Ready to Leverage It?There is an increasing need for tools, processes and architecture that allow modern mainframers to move fast without sacrificing quality. APIs are key to providing quick and secure access to data on any platform. Come and learn how the Zowe API Mediation Layer is powering modern workflows with a secure single sign on experience from the network to the mainframe, across sysplexes and security domains. Elliot Jalley at Broadcom Mainframe Software, Jakub Balhar at Broadcom Mainframe Software |
| 3:00 pm | The Best of Both Worlds – Co-Locating z/OS and Linux on IBM ZWe will discuss how co-locating Linux can help z/OS users to get more value out of their existing deployments in particular, and the IBM Z platform in general. Guidance on how to get started is provided, covering (if applicable) choice of the right Linux distribution, the right environment to deploy to, and we will address common misperceptions regarding the new neighbors. We will then take a look at some technologies that can help to lift the efficiency of the overall architecture to the next level, and point out some highlights in the Linux on Z space that users might be interested in or at least should be aware of. Stefan Raspl at IBM Europe |
| 4:15 pm | Adoption, Innovation, and the Galasa Open Source JourneyExplore the unique trajectory of the Galasa Project, initially an internal IBM project created by the ideas of users and customers that found a home in the Open Mainframe Project. This talk shares personal experiences and lessons learnt of adoption and the practical lessons learned while establishing and developing a new project in the open source community. Join us as we unravel the challenges and triumphs encountered on the path of openness, collaboration, and innovation with Galasa. Louisa Seers at IBM UK LTD. |
| Time | Open Mainframe Project Track |
|---|---|
| 10:00 am | Diving into z/OS Open Source Development: An OverviewEver wondered how the z/OS Open Tools project ported over 200 open-source tools in just two years? This session will unveil the details behind our success and show you how you can get involved!
We'll delve into the world of z/OS open-source development and explore the tools and techniques that make it possible. Here's what you'll learn:
Modern Practices: Discover how we leverage Git and Github for efficient version control and how we utilize the new IBM Open XL C/C++ compilers to enable efficient porting
Building for z/OS: See how the zopen build frameworks and libraries like zoslib simplify the process of porting open-source tools to the z/OS platform.
Open Source DevOps in Action: Learn how we use Github Actions to automate testing on code submissions, as well as other tasks. Igor Todorovski, IBM |
| 11:15 am | Secure open source tooling for z/OSz/OS provides a wealth of secure tools from the open-source community to enable advanced development. In this talk we explore integrating open-source into all aspects of application development. First we look at using Python for Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, application development, and system automation. We also look at the Go programming language and the ease with which it permits rapid development of applications with the best security profile. Then we will look at z/OS Open Tools, which makes available critical open source software to the z/OS community. With z/OS Open Tools, z/OS users benefit from enhanced functionality and security, achieved through currency with community sources. Security is also enhanced on an ongoing basis through available vulnerability audits. Notably, z/OS Open Tools provides critical dev-ops tools such as Git, Vim, Bash, GNU Make, etc, supporting modern z/OS workloads, plus over 200 other popular tools and libraries. Chandni Dinani at IBM USA, Bill O'Farrell at IBM, Steven Pitman at IBM |
| 12:15 pm | Making The Mainframe Simple Again with the Zowe Explorer and Command Line InterfaceThe Zowe Explorer and Zowe CLI were created by a group of new to Z folks who wanted to have a cloud like command driven experience with z/OS without needing to work with a 3270 emulator or learn ISPF panels and TSO commands. Over time it became one of the cornerstones of The Open Mainframe Project’s Zowe technology components, and is currently used by 85% of mainframe shops to do everything from file transfers and querying job status, to being embedded in Devops automation scripts and automating workloads.
This session will cover the Zowe Explorer and CLI from basics and introductory, to more complex use cases with REXX and JCL symbol substitution, subsystem interaction with CICS, MQ and Db2, as well as the different ways to authenticate from basic passwords through to client certificates and multi factor authentication one time passwords alongside SSO tokens. This sessions will have demos throughout and be a great way to ask the presenter for “Can it do this” as well as give input to future content for both key components of mainframe modernization. Joe Winchester, IBM UK LTD. |
| 2:15 pm | Demystified: Put Your Web App on the Zowe Desktop in a FlashAre you a web developer with a great web app? Do you want to deploy it to the Zowe Desktop? Are you new to open source, or to Zowe? The Zowe Application Framework provides a quick solution: Plug your web app into a modified sample iframe app. It’s that simple. It’s possible to stand up your app on the desktop within an hour, then take advantage of features like persistence and app to app communications. The presenter will discuss what he learned, providing you the minimum necessary steps to insert your web app into the sample iframe app, and deploy the result. Included will be tips and tricks demystifying how to communicate with the iframe sandbox where your app lives, how to install and debug, and how to use the iframe zoweZlux API to provide enhanced Zowe interoperability. Donna Hudi at Phoenix Software International |
| 3:15 pm | Build Your Zowe Skills!Zowe Skills are mainframe skills, so do your mainframe career a favor and build them up! Join Open Mainframe Project Ambassador Darren Surch for a walk through the OMP's massive array of Zowe training resources including Zowe Docs, YouTube Channel, Zowe code, Free Trials, Blogs and a Slack Channel! There are even free, online, structured Zowe courses which earn you a bragworthy Open Mainframe Project digital badge to show the world your valuable Zowe skills! Darren Surch at Interskill Learning |
| 4:30 pm | Redefining developer experience on the Mainframe with AI and CommunityMainframes, while historically known for their security and reliability, are evolving rapidly with the integration of modern tools, DevOps practices, AI technologies, and advanced security frameworks. By leveraging tools like Zowe, Galasa and COBOL Check, along with AI-powered solutions, enterprises can future-proof their mainframe environments while maintaining the security and performance they’ve come to rely on.
In this session, Donna Hudi, CMO at Phoenix Software International and Chair of the Open Mainframe Project Marketing Committee, will unveil a few new projects under the Open Mainframe Project umbrella that advance developer experience on the mainframe. Donna Hudi, Phoenix Software International |
| Time | Open Mainframe Project Track |
|---|---|
| 10:00 am | Can AI learn COBOL? Introducing Zorse: an initiative to train AI for the mainframeLarge Language Models need to be trained on high-quality source code to be useful to programmers. This is in short supply for mainframe languages. Enter Zorse: a new Open Mainframe Project initiative that’s collecting a dataset of mainframe source code and a toolbox to train and evaluate LLMs on mainframe languages. Gabriel Gordon-Hall from bloop AI Limited |
| 11:15 am | Building Collaborative and Vibrant Financial Services Engineering CommunitiesDive into the dynamic world of financial services and open source community building with James McLeod, NatWest Group Open Source Program Lead. Drawing from his experience building engineering communities at React London - Bring Your Own Project, London.JS, Lloyds Banking Group and FINOS, James has sculpted thriving ecosystems that drive innovation and collaboration.
Join us to unravel the secrets behind James' success in fostering vibrant communities that redefine the intersection of finance and technology. Explore the power of community-driven development and the future collaboration will play in building Open Source and InnerSource at NatWest Group. James McLeod at National Westminster Bank (NatWest) |
| 12:15 pm | Reflections on Open Source LeadershipThis talk discusses the challenges and successes of leading an open source project such as the Open Mainframe Project. What would we like our leadership to do? How would we like them to see the world differently? Donna Hudi at Phoenix Software International, Louisa Seers at IBM UK Ltd., Elliot Jalley at Broadcom Mainframe Software, James McLeod at National Westminster Bank (NatWest) and JJ Lovett at Broadcom Mainframe Software |
| 2:15 pm | Talk 1: The Future of the Mainframe is here with Zowe LTS V3 & Talk 2: Get Fully Wired – Connect, Learn, Grow, and AdvocateThere will be two presentations happening at this time slot.
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| 3:15 pm | Customer success stories with ZoweSince Zowe was announced 6 years ago it has grown in popularity at mainframe shops where 85% report they have deployed it in their shops. This session will cover the landscape of the most common and popular deployment use cases, from education to new to Z folks, to underpinning Db2 tooling, DevOps and scripting, custom dashboards built around the SDK, as well as fronting enterprise APIs for line of business workload. Joe Winchester at IBM UK LTD and Murali Panchalingam at IBM UK LTD |
| 4:30 pm | zopen community – Modernizing z/OS through Open Sourcezopen community - Modernizing z/OS through Open Source William O'Farrell, IBM |
| Time | Open Mainframe Project Track |
|---|---|
| 10:00 am | Zowe, Azure Pipelines, and the Cloud-ZOS Nexus: A DevOps OdysseyIn this session, we embark on an exciting journey where Zowe and Azure Pipelines converge to revolutionize DevOps practices. Explore how Zowe acts enabling seamless communication between cloud-native tools and the venerable z/OS environment. Witness the power of bridging these worlds. Learn how to construct reusable Azure Pipeline templates that transcend project boundaries. Discover best practices for sharing templates across different pipelines, promoting consistency and efficiency. Dive into securing your connections. We’ll demystify the process of setting up certificates for secure communication between Azure Pipelines and z/OS. Safeguard your data with confidence.
Join us as we unravel the mysteries of mainframe-cloud harmony, empowering DevOps teams to thrive in this interconnected landscape. William Pereira at Cognizant |
| 11:15 am | Zowe Server Install Wizard (ZEN) – The “Easy Button” for Zowe InstallationDiscover how Zowe Server Install Wizard (ZEN) simplifies the deployment of Zowe with its intuitive, wizard-driven configuration guide. Effortlessly leverage powerful features like variable value validation, real-time security checks, certificate management support, and configuration file validation—all with just a few clicks. Join us to experience firsthand how Zowe Server Install Wizard (ZEN) can enhance your workflow right from your desktop! Jan Prihoda at Broadcom Mainframe Software |
| 12:15 pm | Demonstrating Zowe containers with IBM z/OS Container PlatformLearn more about the benefits and challenges of the IBM z/OS Container Platform using Zowe as an example. Run Zowe in Kubernetes natively deployed on z/OS as shown in the demonstration at the end of the session. Zowe, Kubernetes and IBM z/OS Container Platform can improve your integration into a hybrid environment while retaining the stability and security for which z/OS is renowned. Chris Hodgins at IBM |
| 2:15 pm | Build End-to-End Automation in Just 3 Days with Ansible and Open Source Tools – No Problem!In this session, you'll discover how to leverage Ansible and open source tools to create a fully automated self-service portal to deploy application or infrastructure changes to the target Mainframe system. Germanas Samrickis at Rocket Software UK Ltd |
| 3:15 pm | Preparing for the Installation and Configuration of Zowe API Mediation LayerIn this session, we will review the various Zowe API ML configuration options and help you decide which is best for your company. We will include relevant Zowe server-side configuration details and cover topics you should keep in mind when preparing your configuration so that you can configure with confidence. Jakub Balhar at Broadcom Mainframe Software |
If you have questions, please email techxchange@openmainframeproject.org.
Open Mainframe Project is planning the content for October 21 as it pertains to the Community Day. The Linux Foundation and Open Mainframe Project are not managing TechXchange. The main TechXchange event is planned and managed by IBM. Learn more about TechXchange here.
