Open Mainframe Project

Community Day at TechXchange (Las Vegas)
2024-10-21 | FL
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 Open Mainframe Project Track Room 1 (South), Jasmine E, Level 3 Room 2 (South), Jasmine F, Level 3 8:00 amLink Open Mainframe Project’s Room 1 schedule to your IBM TechXchange agendaClick here Open Mainframe Project - Room 1 (South), Jasmine E, Level 3Link Open Mainframe Project’s Room 2 schedule to your IBM TechXchange agendaClick here Open Mainframe Project - Room 2 (South), Jasmine F, Level 311:30 amRedefining 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 Project12:00 pmLunch timeLunch time1:00 pmThe 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, NetSPIArchitecting 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 Company1:30 pmCustomer 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, IBMReflections 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 - IBM2:00 pmStreamline 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 SoftwareCall 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, IBM2:30 pmIs 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, IBMMaking 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, IBM3:00 pmFrom 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 AcademyCrowdsourcing 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 - IBM3:30 pmzopen 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 CanadaMainframes 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, Dynatrace4:00 pmBuild 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, InterskillHow 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, IBM4:30 pmEmpowering 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, BroadcomToday’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 - Broadcom5:00 pmTurbocharging 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, Broadcomzopen 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, Broadcom1:00 pmGetting 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 Europe2:00 pmSSO 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 Software3:00 pmThe 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 Europe4:15 pmAdoption, 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.10:00 amDiving 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, IBM11:15 amSecure 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 IBM12:15 pmMaking 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 pmDemystified: 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 International3:15 pmBuild 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 Learning4:30 pmRedefining 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 International10:00 amCan 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 Limited11:15 amBuilding 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 pmReflections 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 Software2:15 pmTalk 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.

Talk 1: The Future of the Mainframe is here with Zowe LTS V3

Location: Copse room

Open 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.

Speakers: Joe Winchester, IBM, Jakub Balhar, Broadcom Mainframe Software and Jan Prihoda, Broadcom Mainframe Software

Talk 2: Get Fully Wired - Connect, Learn, Grow, and Advocate

Are you a student considering a career in mainframe, an early tenure mainframer looking to grow, or a veteran that feels disconnected from the mainframe community? Then this is the session for you! Learn about the vast resources available out there! Participate in a mentorship program. Get connected with community members who have a depth of knowledge and experience you can leverage and learn from. Take advantage of all of the learning resources available. Grow your career and then give back by becoming an advocate. Join Donna and Shari as they help you navigate the plethora of resources available. There is something for everyone!

Speaker: Donna Hudi at Phoenix Software International and Shari Chiara at IBM USA3:15 pmCustomer 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 LTD4:30 pmzopen community – Modernizing z/OS through Open Sourcezopen community - Modernizing z/OS through Open Source William O'Farrell, IBM10:00 amZowe, 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 Cognizant11:15 amZowe 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 Software12:15 pmDemonstrating 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 IBM2:15 pmBuild 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 Ltd3:15 pmPreparing 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.

TechXchange (Las Vegas)
2024-10-21 - 2024-10-24
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.
In addition to our Community Day activities, which can be found here, there are a few Open Mainframe Project-related sessions. Add these sessions directly to your IBM TechXchange Agenda here.

Tuesday, October 22 at 04:30 pm – 05:15 pm PDT
AMA: What’s NEW in OpenTelemetry on IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE [3762]

OpenTelemetry is a vendor-agnostic, open-source project with the aim to enable an effective observability by making high quality telemetry data from any source available to any target. Research among customers shows that mainframe integration is a mandatory requirement for observability of core business applications. Ideal for IT architects, Site Reliability Engineers and mainframe experts, in this AMA we will discuss fundamentals of this topic and explore best practices for modernizing mainframe observability with OpenTelemetry.

Rudiger Schulze, IBM
Thursday, October 24 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT

Collaboration of Linux Distributions on the Mainframe – A Benefit for you & all Linux Distributions [2543]

Debian, openSUSE and Fedora have founded together the Linux Distributions Working Group at the Open Mainframe Project for achieving better support for the mainframe architecture s390x and collaboration for providing solutions. That has been such success, that SUSE, Red Hat, Canonical (Ubuntu), AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux have joint also. The question has popped up, whether we should be open only for all Linux Distributions or should we include also important upstream projects in our Linux Distributions Working Group. We have started also to share our automated test suites for openQA. In this presentation I will represent the existing benefit for all Linux distributions and the impact for you as customers with the value of functionality and support.

Sarah Julia Kriesch, Accenture

To learn more about the event, visit the main event website: https://www.ibm.com/community/ibm-techxchange-conference/.
To register and use Open Mainframe Project’s 30% discount, register with this link: https://ibm.co/3KbeObO
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.

GSE UK In-Person Conference 2024
2024-11-04 08:00 - 2024-11-07 17:00 (Europe/London)
Mainframe@60: The Diamond Anniversary of Digital Dominance
The GSE UK Region Conference is an annual event which takes place in November for three days, generally in the Midlands or a virtual event in the first half of the year. These events are organised by the GSE Conference Committee, which is comprised of volunteers. This year it will be held from Monday, 4 November 2024, to Thursday, 7 November 2024.
Below you can find the talks from the Open Mainframe Project community ambassadors.
To register for the event, please check here.
Monday, November 4Tuesday, November 5Wednesday, November 6Thursday, November 7Time Open Mainframe Project Track 1:00 pmGetting 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 Europe2:00 pmSSO 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 Software3:00 pmThe 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 Europe4:15 pmAdoption, 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 amDiving 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, IBM11:15 amSecure 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 IBM12:15 pmMaking 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 pmDemystified: 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 International3:15 pmBuild 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 Learning4:30 pmRedefining 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 InternationalTime Open Mainframe Project Track 10:00 amCan 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 Limited11:15 amBuilding 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 pmReflections 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 Software2:15 pmTalk 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.

Talk 1: The Future of the Mainframe is here with Zowe LTS V3

Location: Copse room

Open 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.

Speakers: Joe Winchester, IBM, Jakub Balhar, Broadcom Mainframe Software and Jan Prihoda, Broadcom Mainframe Software

Talk 2: Get Fully Wired - Connect, Learn, Grow, and Advocate

Are you a student considering a career in mainframe, an early tenure mainframer looking to grow, or a veteran that feels disconnected from the mainframe community? Then this is the session for you! Learn about the vast resources available out there! Participate in a mentorship program. Get connected with community members who have a depth of knowledge and experience you can leverage and learn from. Take advantage of all of the learning resources available. Grow your career and then give back by becoming an advocate. Join Donna and Shari as they help you navigate the plethora of resources available. There is something for everyone!

Speaker: Donna Hudi at Phoenix Software International and Shari Chiara at IBM USA3:15 pmCustomer 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 LTD4:30 pmzopen community – Modernizing z/OS through Open Sourcezopen community - Modernizing z/OS through Open Source William O'Farrell, IBMTime Open Mainframe Project Track 10:00 amZowe, 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 Cognizant11:15 amZowe 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 Software12:15 pmDemonstrating 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 IBM2:15 pmBuild 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 Ltd3:15 pmPreparing 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

Mainframe Open Education Student User Group
2024-11-06 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-12-04 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Knowledge management involves consciously organizing, retaining, and sharing an organization’s knowledge and experience. The primary aim is to connect those seeking information with those who possess it, enhancing operational efficiency and expertise within the organization. This is exactly what Mainframe Open Education does. it is the wikipedia of mainframe knowledge and experience.

Join the core team every first Wednesday of the month for a live discussion about Mainframe Open Education. We’ll hear from contributors and students who have engaged with the project to learn about how to get involved, best practices, badges and more!
Speakers include:

Nanxi Meng, Instructional Designer at Broadcom and contributor to Mainframe Open Education
J.J. Lovett, Head of Education and Customer Engagement at Broadcom Mainframe Software
Tiiso Senosha, contributor to Mainframe Open Education and past Open Mainframe Project Mentor

Register here.

'Native Americans in Tech' Webinar
2024-11-13 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Making Our Strong Community Stronger (MSCS) is hosting the ‘Native Americans in Tech’ Webinar Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. CT. The webinar will highlight Native American representation in the tech industry.
Moderated by Dean Dauphinais, a passionate advocate for Native communities and a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, this webinar promises to be an inspiring session. Dauphinais will be joined by a panel of distinguished Native American tech leaders:

Jeanne Glass, the founder of VirtualZ Computing and MSCS
Phil Sutherin, a mainframe technical consultant at Broadcom
Jeremy Hamilton, strategic field CTO at BMC Software

Together, they will share their journeys and insights, aiming to empower and inspire more Native Americans to explore careers in technology. Register here.
The Making Our Strong Community Stronger initiative is sponsored by BMC, Broadcom Mainframe Software, IBM, Open Mainframe Project, Rocket Software and TechChannel. In addition to the webinars, the initiative also produces articles and blogs about different diversity, equity and inclusion views, strategies, best practices and experiences.
Stay updated by joining our LinkedIn group here or watch our other videos here.

Mainframe Open Education Student User Group
2025-01-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-02-05 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-03-05 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-05-07 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-06-04 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-02 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-08-06 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-09-03 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 1 more date
Knowledge management involves consciously organizing, retaining, and sharing an organization’s knowledge and experience. The primary aim is to connect those seeking information with those who possess it, enhancing operational efficiency and expertise within the organization. This is exactly what Mainframe Open Education does. it is the wikipedia of mainframe knowledge and experience.

Join the core team every first Wednesday of the month for a live discussion about Mainframe Open Education. We’ll hear from contributors and students who have engaged with the project to learn about how to get involved, best practices, badges and more!
Speakers include:

Devonte Hawkins, IBM zStack Technical Specialist at IBM
Taylor Hrupek, Mainframe Business Specialist at Broadcom
Nanxi Meng, Instructional Designer at Broadcom
J.J. Lovett, Head of Education and Customer Engagement at Broadcom Mainframe Software
Tiiso Senosha, contributor to Mainframe Open Education and past Open Mainframe Project Mentor

Register here.

GSE UK Virtual Conference 2025
2025-02-20 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
The GSE UK Virtual Conference 2025 is happening from Tuesday, April 29 to Thursday, May 1, 2025 and Open Mainframe Project will have a track at the conference. Whether you’re an industry expert, a tech enthusiast, Open Mainframe Project ambassador or a rising star with valuable insights, we invite you to share your knowledge with the vibrant mainframe community.

If you would like to speak at the event, submit a speaking proposal here. Submit your proposal by Monday, March 17.

Learn more about the event at the main conference site here.

SHARE Washington D.C 2025
2025-02-23 - 2025-02-27
SHARE is an independent volunteer-run information technology association that provides education, professional networking and industry influence. SHARE Washington D.C 2025 will be held from February 23-27, 2025 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, offering access to the latest enterprise IT news, key focus areas, prominent industry leaders, and product highlights on emerging technologies. SHARE is an associate member of the Open Mainframe Project and Open Mainframe ambassadors will be on-site. Check out these Open Mainframe Project -related sessions and register here.
Able Baker to Mainframer – What I Wish I’d Learnt at College About Enterprise Computing Systems – Joseph Winchester (IBM), Reg Harbeck & Steven Perva (Ensono)
Date & Time: Mon Feb 24, 2025; 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 66901
Abstract: The mainframe is a difficult system to onboard. EBCDIC codepages, Keyrings, Data Sets with Fixed Blocks and more as well as the need to become versant at 3270 dialogs for proficient system programming. To folks at college these are often barriers to entry, not because they’re difficult, but because there is a hill to climb and information disparate and often dated. This talk will provide the skills and tools to quickly summit, from the experience perspective of three mainframers with differing background, sharing what they wish they’d learnt at college and now want to share with the SHARE attendees, both new and experienced, about the tips and tricks, the cheat sheets, and the background behind why, as well as the solutions for, the idiosyncracies of the platform that make the IBMz such a fantastic enterprise computing system
To Test or Not to Test??? – Joseph Winchester (IBM) & Gerald Mitchell (IBM)
Date & Time: Mon Feb 24, 2025; 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 57615
Abstract: You want it? Open Source has got it. Check out Open Mainframe Project’s COBOL Check, a framework for COBOL to help with test driven development; or GenevaERS, the single-pass optimization engine for data extraction and transformation on z/OS is the tool. If you’re looking for more – there’s the newest project – Galasa, which allows you to test your applications at scale regardless of platform — including z/OS. Join us to learn about these testing tools and how they can bring value into your development process and ask all your testing questions.
Know It Before Installing It! A Starter Guide for Zowe API Mediation Layer Administrators – Brian Jagos (Broadcom) & Dan Kelosky (Broadcom Software)
Date & Time: Mon Feb 24, 2025; 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 70003
Abstract: This session will offer a comprehensive overview of the Open Mainframe Project Zowe API Mediation Layer configuration options and installation methods to help System Admins understand each and determine what is best suited for their company. We will showcase an installation example using the industry-standard z/OSMF, PSWI and ZWE Command to serve as reference material for when you install on your own.
Zowe CLI and IBM Z NetView Plug-ins – Derrick Washington & Domenico D’Alterio (IBM)
Date & Time: Mon Feb 24, 2025; 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 39468
Abstract: The speakers will provide information on the Zowe Command Line Interface (CLI) and the NetView plug-ins that extend the CLI interface. Topics will include basics about the CLI, installation of the CLI and NetView plug-ins, and using the NetView plug-ins. A demo will be done.
BYOD Lab: DIY! Install and Configure the Zowe API Mediation Layer – Brian Jagos (Broadcom) & Andrej Chmelo
Date & Time: Mon Feb 24, 2025; 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 70026
Abstract: If your company is interested in Open Mainframe Project Zowe and you are responsible for installing mainframe software don’t miss this opportunity. Participate in this hands-on lab where you will follow instructions to install and configure the API Mediation Layer on our Workshop Systems. We will include an overview of the latest configuration options, discuss “what-if” scenarios and reserve time to discuss potential challenges.
Making the Mainframe Great Again With Zowe Command Line Interface (CLI) – Joseph Winchester (IBM) & Eugene Johnston (Broadcom)
Date & Time: Tue Feb 25, 2025; 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 29997
Abstract: The Zowe Command Line Interface opens up IBM z/OS to non mainframers who want to do anything from ad-hoc scripting, building full DevOps automation pipelines, and everything inbetween. By providing simple easy to use intuitive commands to run commands covering everything from listing data sets, submitting jobs, running REXX, as well working with CICS, MQ and Db2, non-mainframers can become versant at how to become mainframers without needing to leave their familiar PC terminal or command window, and embed scripts in their laptop’s existing technology. This talk will cover 101 getting started with Zowe CLI through to advanced tasks such as console commands, substitution variables, and will cover many scenarios for the audience from beginner mainframe students to advanced system programming.
Why Zowe Is a Key Enabler for Mainframe Modernization: User Panel – Joseph Winchester (IBM Corporation), Steven Perva (Ensono), John Mertic (The Linux Foundation) & Rose Sakach (Broadcom)
Date & Time: Tue Feb 25, 2025; 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 61076
Abstract: This panel will bring together users, academics, students, vendors who have benefitted from the Zowe project being part of their modernization strategy. Together topics such as New to Z, empowering existing toolchains to adapt to hybrid cloud, familiar IDEs working with mainframe subsystems, will be discussed together with challenges, use cases, and solutions for rolling out Zowe with success (as well as failures).
Hidden Treasures, Advanced Features, and Administrative Tips for Zowe API Mediation Layer – Dan Kelosky (Broadcom Software) & Elliot Jalley (Broadcom)
Date & Time: Wed Feb 26, 2025; 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 70015
Abstract: What are the Administration expectations and the art-of-the-possible for the Open Mainframe Project Zowe API Mediation Layer? Join this session to understand the day-to-day and future potential. We will include the what, why, and how capabilities like dynamic discovery, high availability, multifactor authentication, single-sign-on, OIDC integration, personal access tokens, and multi-tenancy work and the value they may provide your organization.
Generations in Sync: Unlocking the Power of Technology Through Collaborative Communication – Philip Sutherin, Sean Rooney (Broadcom), J.J. Lovett, Steven Perva (Ensono) & Joseph Winchester (IBM Corporation)
Date & Time: Wed Feb 26, 2025; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 70016
Abstract: In this interactive session, we will develop actionable strategies to enhance communication and knowledge transfer among mainframers of different generations. Participants will be grouped 1-on-1 by experience level for focused discussions on mainframe introductions, “a-ha” moments, lifelong learning, and problem-solving. The goal is to actively foster collaboration to overcome industry wide barriers.
Automated Symphony: Orchestrating Automation Using Cutting Edge Tools Like VS Code, Python, and Zowe – Cody Giardinello (Broadcom) & Sean Rooney (Broadcom)
Date & Time: Wed Feb 26, 2025; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 70037
Abstract: Automation engineers lead with one mission in mind – automate everything. What tools are they using and why? VS Code has again been voted by developers as the preferred text editor, and Python continues to grow exponentially on the mainframe. Join us as we examine what sets these tools apart and how they can be effectively leveraged in automation using OPS/MVS, REST APIs, and the Open Mainframe Project Zowe ecosystem.
Dispelling the Myths Around Open Source – Leonard Santalucia (Vicom Infinity, A Converge Company)
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 26, 2025: 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 55125
Abstract: Wondering if Open Source is right for you and your organization? Don’t know what you don’t know? Is it myth or fact? Let the experts from within the Open Mainframe Project help you weed it all out. Fact or fiction, we will help you understand why Open Source IS right for you and your organization.
Open Sesame – The Secret to Open Source on the Mainframe – John Mertic (The Linux Foundation)
Date & Time: Wed Feb 26, 2025; 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 16848
Abstract: The open source movement has rapidly become the way code is being developed for today’s smart and agile businesses. This session will cover how an “open mainframe” is the perfect solution for deploying open source on an enterprise computing platform. Open Mainframe Project is home to 18 open source initiatives like Zowe and working groups for COBOL that aim to help overcome the the barriers between mainframes and other infrastructure to make DevOps easier and more efficient. This session will offer a quick glimpse of the challenges each project solves and how to get involved.
BYOD Lab: Python, REXX, and Zowe CLI a No-Bake Recipe for Automation – Thomas McQuitty & Gene Johnston (Broadcom)
Date & Time: Thu Feb 27, 2025; 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 70035
Abstract: Designed for traditional and new Mainframers, this hands-on lab will cover the major tenants for creating mainframe automation: Open Mainframe Project Zowe CLI basics, some Python coding techniques and the use of orchestration tools. We will include a focus on connectivity & establishing the Client configuration file, exporting a mainframe report to a desktop spreadsheet and triggering off-host automation from an on-host REXX application.
Demonstrating Zowe Containers With IBM z/OS Container Platform – Chris Hodgins
Date & Time: Thu Feb 27, 2025; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 30520
Abstract: Learn 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. (This needs to be finessed by Chris Hodgins so different to GSE presentation)
Take Your Mainframe Career to a New Level With Zowe! – Dan Kelosky (Broadcom Software) & Michael Bauer (Broadcom)
Date & Time: Thu Feb 27, 2025; 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 37687
Abstract: Advance your technical skills by contributing to Zowe. From modern to low level languages and frameworks such as: Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, Angular, Java, Spring Boot, HLASM, and Metal C, we’ll cover the bulk of Zowe’s underlying technologies and how the project on-boards new Community members. We will conclude by highlighting a recent contribution: the Zowe Java Client SDK.
Mainframe, Movies and Me: A Journey Through Hollywood, Computers, Aliens and Mainframe Computing – Joseph Winchester (IBM Corporation)
Date & Time: Thu Feb 27, 2025; 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; TZ: America/New_York; ID: 69851
Abstract: In this session Joe will discuss how while mainframes are mocked by rival computing architectures as belonging in the 1960s, Hollywood understands us and promotes the mainframe as the superheroes’s IT platform of choice. From Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and countless others that have saved the world against aliens, dinosaurs or supervillans, these are the true hero in every Hollywood plot! This presentation is either going to get an award for being the funniest thing SHARE has ever presented, or else the speaker is going to get the record lowest score and the most number of social media dislikes for being extremely unfunny. Either way folks seeing it hopefully won’t forget it. With any luck they’ll remember it for the right reasons and come away reflecting on what motived them to enter mainframe computing and have a fresh to-do list of movies to catch up with and music tracks to listen to next time they’re struggling to read a syslog or debug an abend.

Check out the complete schedule for SHARE and register here.

Zowe Q1 2025 Webinar
2025-03-19 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join Open Mainframe Project’s Zowe community on Wednesday, March 19 at 8 am PT/11 am ET for our first quarterly webinar of the year! Whether you are a Zowe User, Contributor, Extender or simply interested in what’s happening with Zowe, we invite you to attend the webinar to learn more.
In this webinar, Jakub Balhar, Chair of the Zowe TSC and Open Mainframe Project Ambassador, will present an overview of the architectural changes coming to the API Mediation Layer and answer questions. Rose Sakach, Open Mainframe Project ambassador, will also present updates about Zowe.
Register here.

Mainframe Open Education Student User Group
2025-04-02 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Knowledge management involves consciously organizing, retaining, and sharing an organization’s knowledge and experience. The primary aim is to connect those seeking information with those who possess it, enhancing operational efficiency and expertise within the organization. This is exactly what Mainframe Open Education does. it is the wikipedia of mainframe knowledge and experience.

Join the core team every first Wednesday of the month for a live discussion about Mainframe Open Education. We’ll hear from contributors and students who have engaged with the project to learn about how to get involved, best practices, badges and more!
In the April MOE SUG meeting, Devonte Hawkins, IBM zStack Technical Specialist at IBM, and Taylor Hrupek, Mainframe Business Specialist at Broadcom, will chat with Niall Ashley, Technical Consultant at Vertali, IBM Champion and GSE UK 101 Chair Person.
Register here.

IBM Z Day Special Edition (Virtual)
2025-04-08
Something BIG is coming! Join us for IBM Z Day: Special Edition on April 8 to connect, learn, and discover the latest in mainframe innovation.

Engage with industry experts as they share their knowledge, explore groundbreaking advancements, and dive deeper into the technology that powers the world’s economy— always Open | On | Secure.

Accelerate your digital transformation journey with 150+ speakers across 3 immersive technical tracks—IBM zNext, AI & Data, and App Dev & IT Ops. This event will provide you with actionable insights to drive innovation within your organization.

Register Today! https://ibm.biz/ibmzday2025-se

GSE UK Virtual Conference 2025
2025-04-29 - 2025-05-01
The GSE UK Virtual Conference 2025 is happening from Tuesday, April 29 – Thursday, May 1, 2025. Open Mainframe Project will have a track at the conference – the schedule will be announced shortly.

Registration for the GSE UK Virtual Conference 2025 will be free for ALL attendees, a testament to our commitment to your professional growth. We also understand that not everyone can attend every session, so we’re making the session videos available for free to GSE members and non-member delegates for two months after the conference, ensuring everyone can benefit from this event.

Register here. Learn more about the event at the main conference site here.

LOL or BRB? Decoding Millennial and Gen Z Workplace Communication
2025-05-14 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Effective communication is the foundation of a thriving workplace. It fosters collaboration, nurtures innovation, and ensures that each team member feels valued and heard. Without trust, even the best communication strategies fall short.
When individuals feel respected and supported, they are more likely to engage in honest dialogue, express concerns, provide constructive feedback, and take the necessary risks for innovation. This not only enhances team dynamics, but also boosts employee engagement, morale, and organizational performance.
Research on trust underscores its critical role in business success. When trust is present among team members and leadership, individuals are more willing to share ideas, voice concerns, acknowledge mistakes, and seek help without fear of negative consequences. This in turn strengthens honest and effective communication, creating a workplace culture where contributions are valued and respected.
Join the Making the Strong Community Stronger initiative as we embark on an exciting year where we explore the challenges and opportunities of communication in the workplace.
Please join us on Wednesday, May 14 at 9-10 am PT/11 am-12 pm CT/12-1 pm ET for a webinar titled, “LOL or BRB? Decoding Millennial and Gen Z Workplace Communication,” where we start the dialog with Gen Z and Millennials to understand communications and trust from their perspective.
Dr. Gloria Chance, PhD, founder of The Mousai Group, moderates the webinar. These Millennial and Gen Z panelists will join her:
-Brennen Glover, Manager, Onboarding & Employee Development, Rocket Software, USA
-Elizabeth Joseph, global head, Open Source Program Office for IBM Z and LinuxONE, Open Mainframe Project
-Lilly McPadden, student at Marist University, and co-op working in the z/OS Customer Test area, IBM
-Andy Wig, senior editor, TechChannel
Register now for this insightful webinar here.
Stay updated with all MSCS activities by joining our LinkedIn group here.

GSE UK Nordic Region Conference (Gothenburg, Sweden)
2025-06-10 - 2025-06-12
The GSE Nordic Region has the pleasure of inviting you to the Nordic Region Conference to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden , at Quality Hotel The Weaver, Mölndal from June 10 – 12 2025.
Open Mainframe Project will be represented at the event with several sessions by community members and ambassadors including:
Tuesday, June 10:
14:15-15:15

S601 – It is still worth shouting about COBOL – Derek Britton, DRB B2B Ltd and Co-Chair of Open Mainframe Project’s COBOL Working Group
S501 – Demystifying Mainframe Architectures: Transaction Flows and Connectivity Explained – Ruediger Schulze, IBM and new Open Mainframe Project Ambassador
S701 – Mainframe customer success stories using The Open Mainframe Project Zowe and an open source tooling stack – Emma Skovgård, Danske Bank and Joe Winchester, IBM and Open Mainframe Project Ambassador

15:30 – 16:30

S702 – Top 5 open source power ups no mainframer should be without Joe Winchester, IBM and Open Mainframe Project Ambassador

Wednesday, June 11:
16:30-17:30

S108 – Automating CICS Testing with Galasa: There’s a Better Way? Anthony Papageorgiou, IBM
S608 – Building end to end automation just in 3 days with ansible and opensource tools: No problem! – Germanas Samrickis, Rocket Software

Thursday, June 12:
11:45-12:45

S411 – Hidden treasures, advanced features, and administrative tips for Zowe API Mediation Layer Elliot Jalley, Broadcom and Open Mainframe Project Ambassador

Learn more about the conference here: https://gse-nordic.org/.

VM Workshop (Columbus, OH)
2025-06-12 - 2025-06-14
The VM Workshop will take place on June 12-14 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The group is a grassroots non-profit organization made up of customers, ISVs, and business partners with an interest in the use and growth of the z/VM platform, Linux on IBM Z, and VSE (z/VSE and VSEn).
Open Mainframe Project will be on-site at the event with a few sessions:
EMMA: The Creation of a Mainframe Apprenticeship – Dr. Cameron Seay, Adjunct Professor and Co-Chair of the COBOL Programming Course
The Eli Madison Memorial Apprenticeship (EMMA) is a mainframe focused apprenticeship program. It uses the traditional apprenticeship model for technical roles. We feel this is THE solution to the “mainframe skills shortage” and have buy in from industry and the community at large. Currently involved are 3 mainframe ISVs, 185 apprentices, 6 university professors at 5 universities, and 8 full time volunteers. EMMA is ready to do business.
Dispelling the Myths Around Open Source on the Mainframe – Len Santalucia, CTO at Vicom Infinity, a Converge Company and Chair of the Open Mainframe Project Governing Board
Wondering if Open Source is right for you and your organization? Don’t know what you don’t know? Is it myth or fact? Let the experts from within the Open Mainframe Project help you weed it all out. Fact or fiction, we will help you understand why Open Source IS right for you and your organization.
Check out these sessions and more on the VM Workshop schedule here.

Community Day CFP for IBM TechXchange 2025 (Orlando, FL)
2025-06-30
The Open Mainframe Project will again be featured as part of IBM TechXchange’s Community Day, which will be held on October 6, the first day of the event. Last year, Open Mainframe had record-breaking attendance and a packed agenda highlighting open source and projects including Zowe, Galassa, Mentorship, Mainframe Open Education, COBOL Programming Course, Feilong, Software Discovery Tool, zopen Community and more.
If you are interested in speaking at Community Day, the Call for Presentations is currently open.
Submit topics by Monday, June 30: https://bit.ly/4iWwhDH.
The timeline for the CFP:

CFP opens: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Deadline to submit CFP: Monday, June 30, 2025, at 11 pm PDT
Speaker notifications: Monday, July 21, 2025
Schedule announcement: Week of August 8, 2025

Submit or register today!
Register for Community Day for free using the Open Mainframe code here. (This only registers you for Community Day on Monday, October 6. It does not give you access to the rest of the IBM TechXchange conference.)
Register with the Open Mainframe Project code and link for a 30% discount on the TechXchange conference here.
Open Mainframe Project is planning the content for October 6 as it pertains to the Community Day or Pre-Conference 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.

Zowe Q2 Webinar: Understanding Zowe Docs and using AI for Effective Navigation
2025-07-01 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Whether you are installing, configuring, trouble-shooting, or just learning about Zowe, Zowe Docs will be your go-to guide. In this webinar on Tuesday, July 1 at 8 am PT/11 am ET, the members of the Zowe community will share tips and best practices for optimal navigation and take you through a live tour with example use cases. A step-by-step demo on how to open an issue real-time will help improve the documentation for everyone while instantly making you a contributor to the Zowe Community. We will conclude with a demonstration on how best to partner with AI to answer Zowe questions and find Zowe specifics. Register here.
Speakers: Ana Ceron, Andrew Jandacek, Jakub Balhar, Rose Sakach

SHARE Cleveland (Ohio)
2025-08-17 - 2025-08-21
SHARE Cleveland, happening on August 17-21 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, provides attendees with access to the latest enterprise IT news, key focus areas, prominent industry leaders and product highlights on emerging technologies all in one space over five days.
Open Mainframe Project will be on-site at the conference again this year with several sessions including:
Monday, August 18:

9:15–10:15 am: Which Mainframe Connection Protocol: FTP, SSH, or z/OSMF – Just Another Manic Monday? – Dan Kelosky, Broadcom Corporation

Before launching your modernization project leveraging Open Mainframe Project Zowe, it’s important to have a comprehensive understanding of the available mainframe connection protocols. REST APIs? FTP? SSH? We’ll cover the available options, the pros and cons of each and how to use them with the Zowe clients – Zowe CLI, Zowe Explorer for VSC and the Zowe Client SDKs.

2:30-3:30 pm: Dispelling the Myths Around Open Source on the Mainframe – John Mertic, Linux Foundation
Wondering if Open Source on the Mainframe is right for you and your organization? Don’t know what you don’t know? Is it myth or fact? Let the experts from within the Linux Foundation Open Mainframe Project help you weed it all out. Fact or fiction, we will help you understand why Open Source on the Mainframe IS right for you and your organization.
2:30-3:30 pm: Mainframe Modernization Trends (Including DevOps) – Len Santalucia and Jerry Edgington, Pellera Technologies
Many different definitions of What mainframe Modernizations encompasses” have been discussed.In this session we will discuss many of them along with examples, and include mainframe Devops!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 19:
3:30 – 4:30 pm: Customer Success Stories with Zowe – Joe Winchester, IBM
This talk will cover customer success stories and scenarios where users have been able to deploy and use Zowe technology in real work situations. It will be given jointly with a customer (TBD) to showcase their use of DevOps and operation automation using Zowe CLI and Zowe Explorer.
Wednesday, August 20:
7:30-8:30 am: Skill Up! Mainframe Learning for All – IBM’s Devonte Hawkins, Joe Winchester and Hunter Johnson, Broadcom
As the mainframe industry evolves, so does the need for accessible and engaging learning resources. This panel brings together experts from the Open Mainframe Project (OMP) Education Initiative, the COBOL Programming Course, and Zowe to discuss the future of mainframe education. Moderated from the perspective of an early-career professional, this session will highlight essential learning tools—including the OMP Education Gitbook, COBOL Programming with VS Code, and the Fundamentals for Zowe course—that empower all professionals. Join us for an insightful discussion on how these resources shape the next generation of mainframe talent.
10-11 am: Making the Mainframe Great Again With Zowe Command Line Interface (CLI) – Joe Winchester, IBM and Gene Johnston, Broadcom
The Zowe Command Line Interface opens up IBM z/OS to non mainframers who want to do anything from ad-hoc scripting, building full DevOps automation pipelines, and everything inbetween. By providing simple easy to use intuitive commands to run commands covering everything from listing data sets, submitting jobs, running REXX, as well working with CICS, MQ and Db2, non-mainframers can become versant at how to become mainframers without needing to leave their familiar PC terminal or command window, and embed scripts in their laptop’s existing technology. This talk will cover 101 getting started with Zowe CLI through to advanced tasks such as console commands, substitution variables, and will cover many scenarios for the audience from beginner mainframe students to advanced system programming.
2:30-3:30 pm: How to Captain Your Mainframe’s USS Enterprise Environment – Joe Winchester, IBM; Steven Perva, Ensono; and Reg Harbeck, Mainframe Analytics
This session will show how to become a Unix System Services power user, embracing tools like Z Open Automation Utilities, Z Open Community, ZTI, Access Control Lists, CBT Tape USS utilities, and more … We’ll show with practical examples and demos how and why its crucial for mainframers to understand the capabilities of the USS environment as well as how to configure, secure, and use it as the basis for python and bash scripting. It’s also the platform to enable Linux developers to embrace the z/OS operating system from within the comfort of a modern flexible UTF enabled shell allowing a wider range of open source and other packages to be ported and run on-prem to help continue to make the mainframe less of a steep learning curve for distributed IT staff.
3:45-4:45 pm: Open Source and Industry Standards – Joe Bostian, Chad McIntyre, Frank DeGilio, IBM
Interfaces become industry standard when they are formalized in a specification, or achieve a level of pervasive use. Standards organizations outline rules that governments and other organizations adopt as approved processes. These all have to be expressed in commonformats at public locations, and through widely accepted processes. This is the essence of open source. Come and see how open source affects standards, and how standards are adopted by open source communities.
Learn more about the event or register for it here.

Community Day at TechXchange (Orlando, Florida)
2025-10-06
The Open Mainframe Project will again be featured as part of IBM TechXchange’s Community Day, which will be held on October 6, the first day of the event. Last year, Open Mainframe had record-breaking attendance and a packed agenda highlighting open source and projects including Zowe, Galassa, Mentorship, Mainframe Open Education, COBOL Programming Course, Feilong, Software Discovery Tool, zopen Community and more.
Community Day (Monday, October 6) Schedule

Transforming z/OS Software Management with an Open-First Approach Using Ansible and Zowe
1:30-2:15pm | Room 1 | Jan Prihoda and Rose Sakach (Broadcom)
How to Contribute to Linux on the Mainframe
1:30-2:15pm | Room 2 | Sarah Julia Kriesch (Kyndryl) and Elizabeth Joseph (IBM)
CBT Tape – The Treasure Trove of Mainframe Utilities
2:15-3:00pm | Room 1 | Joe Winchester (IBM) and Reg Harbeck (Mainframe Analytics)
Galasa – Scaling Integration Testing for the Enterprise
2:15-2:35pm | Room 2 | Louisa Denly (IBM)
Skill Up! Mainframe Learning for All
2:40-3:00pm | Room 2 | Kathleen Nordstrom (Broadcom)
Unlock the Full Potential of Zowe Explorer – Essential Tips and Tricks AND What Mainframe Connection Protocols (FTP, SSH, or z/OSMF) Can I use for Zowe Clients?
3:30-4:00pm | Room 1 | Dan Kelosky (Broadcom)
Mastering Mainframe Architectures – Transaction Processing on z/OS AND OpenTelemetry on Mainframe SIG: Progress Updates
3:30-4:00pm | Room 2 | Rudiger Schulze (IBM)
Take your mainframe career to a new level by contributing to Zowe
4:15-5:00pm | Room 1 | Dan Kelosky (Broadcom) and Rose Sakach (Broadcom)
Zelma – z/VM and Linux Modern Administration
4:15-5:00pm | Room 2 | Mike MacIsaac (Sine Nomine Associates)
From Punch Cards to VS Code
4:15-5:00pm | Room 1 | Wolfram Greis (European Mainframe Academy)
A not-to-technical deep dive into Feilong
5:15-6:00pm | Room 2 | Aazam Thakur (Open Mainframe Project Ambassador) and Mike Friessenger (SUSE)

Additional Details
To learn more about these presentations or to add these to your schedule in the Session Catalog – click here.
There will be other Open Mainframe Project sessions and activities at TechXchange. For more details, click here.
Register for Community Day for free using the Open Mainframe code here. (This only registers you for Community Day on Monday, October 6. It does not give you access to the rest of the IBM TechXchange conference.)
Register with the Open Mainframe Project code and link for a 30% discount on the TechXchange conference here.
Open Mainframe Project is planning the content for October 6 as it pertains to the Community Day or Pre-Conference 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. If you have questions, please email techxchange@openmainframeproject.org.

IBM TechXchange 2025 (Orlando, FL)
2025-10-06 - 2025-10-09
IBM TechXchange, taking place October 6-9 at the Orange County Convention Center and Hilton Orlando, is the ultimate learning hub for developers, technologists, and techies looking to grow their skills. With 400+ learning courses and labs, 150+ available certifications, 1k+ technical events per year and a growing community of over 400k members, IBM TechXchange is on a mission to creating a better future with technology.
Open Mainframe Project will be on-site again at Community Day on Monday, October 6. Check out more details here. Additionally, Open Mainframe will also have several other sessions presented by ambassadors and project leads including:
Monday, October 6:
5:45 – 6:05 PM: The Linux Distributions Working Group as Part of the Open Mainframe Project – Sara Julia Kriesch (Kyndryl)
4:00 – 5:00 PM: Dispelling the Myths Around Open Source on the Mainframe – Len Santalucia and Ken LoCascio (Pellera Tchnologies), Elizabeth Joseph (IBM), Steven Perva (Ensono) and Louisa Denly (IBM)
Wednesday, October 8:
11:00 – 11:20 AM: Credit Agricole: How to use modern tools to facilitate IBM z/OS operations and data access – Francois Delombe (CA-GIP)
11:30 – 11:50 AM: Beyond DevOps: Unlocking New Possibilities with Zowe – Jan Prihoda (Broadcom)
1:30 – 1:50 PM: Achieving Greater Business Agility with VS Code and Hybrid Toolchains – Vaughn Marshall (Broadcom)
2:00 – 3:00 PM: ISPF and/or VS Code Zowe Explorer. how to become a power user in BOTH mainframe file editors – Jim Horne (Lowe’s Companies) and Joe Winchester (IBM)
2:00 – 3:30 PM: Using OpenTelemetry to integrate the mainframe into enterprise-wide observability solutions – Chris Walker, Rudiger Schulze, Ash Mahay (IBM)
Open Mainframe Project will also be in the Open Source Zone in the event expo. Stop by the booth and get your 10th anniversary swag!
Register with the Open Mainframe Project code and link for a 30% discount on the TechXchange conference here.

(Webinar) Culture Speaks: How Internal Communication Shapes What We Believe and How We Behave
2025-10-22 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This experiential session on Wednesday, October 22 at 9-10 am PST explores how internal communication becomes the heartbeat of organizational culture. More than just words, the way we lead, listen, and message—formally and informally—shapes what people believe is possible, safe, and true within an organization. But this won’t be your typical corporate communication workshop. In this session, we listen with our whole selves. We’ll use music and expressive arts to tune into the rhythms of how we speak, lead, and listen. From soundscapes to storytelling, participants will surface the unspoken energy of their organizational culture—and learn to shift it with intention.
Participants will engage in soundscapes, storytelling, and creative exercises that invite reflection on how trust, intentional leadership and transparent communication (these were participants’ insights from the last panel) foster a culture of psychological safety and belonging. Come ready to listen deeply, create boldly, and leave with new strategies to communicate with purpose and intention.
Register for the webinar here.
Making Our Strong Community, Stronger is a collaborative initiative sponsored by BMC, Broadcom Mainframe Software, IBM, Open Mainframe Project, Rocket Software and TechChannel. With a goal of accelerating diversity by sharing different voices, perspectives and corporate cultures, we hope to inspire meaningful conversations and most importantly, approachable actions that elevate inclusivity with lasting impact. Join our LinkedIn Group here.
