IBM Z and LinuxONE Ecosystem Podcast

Tune in as Devonte’ Hawkins and Caitlin Mooney chat with Niall Ashley, Security Technical Consultant at Vertali and IBM Champion. Niall shares his unexpected journey into mainframe security, having transitioned from aeronautical engineering. He discusses what makes mainframe security unique, strategies for learning complex concepts, and the importance of making education engaging. The conversation also touches on maintaining a healthy work-life balance and the value of giving back...

Meet Craig Mullins – From punched cards to mainframes, Craig’s journey is a masterclass in curiosity and adaptability. Discover how a college intern at US Steel became a leading voice in enterprise computing. Tune in to hear his origin story and insights on navigating tech’s evolution!

Marcus Davage is a seasoned technologist, lead product developer at BMC Software, and an IBM Champion. With a career that began in his teenage years—tinkering with early home computers like the Commodore 64 and Amiga—Marcus’s passion for computing led him to pursue a computer science degree and eventually discover the world of mainframes during an industrial placement at a steelworks. His journey from curious student to respected subject matter expert is marked by resilience, continuous learn...

In this episode, we dive into the powerhouse of healthcare IT—the mainframe. From patient management to accounting and medical records, the mainframe continues to deliver unmatched reliability and scalability for healthcare organizations. We’ll explore how mainframe systems enable agility in workflows, simplify the process of upskilling, and integrate seamlessly with AI to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Whether you’re a healthcare IT professional, a mainframe enthusiast,...

When global companies need to move massive amounts of data—securely and without delays—they rely on something powerful: the mainframe. In this episode, we’re joined by experts from Capgemini to explore how Connect:Direct helps enterprises transfer critical files quickly, reliably, and securely—far beyond what email or traditional FTP can handle. From syncing systems across continents to powering high-stakes data flows in industries like banking, healthcare, and retail, this trusted solution b...

This episode features Dr. Herbert Daly, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire. When Herb first approached his Head of Department about adding mainframes to the curriculum, he was told it was a great idea—but the curriculum is only reviewed every five years, and the last review had just happened six months prior. So, he was advised to check back in four and a half years. Unfazed, Herb went beyond a formal mainframe curriculum! He explains, “In teaching Co...

This episode features Geoffrey Decker, an instructor in Computer Science at the Northern Illinois University (NIU) and a firm believer in quality over quantity when teaching programming. Geoffrey encourages getting students “down and dirty into the programming” — not just teaching theory or showing pictures — so they truly “program and really test their skills.” His goal? Geoffrey wants students to learn so well that “they can teach themselves advanced techniques.” Advice to...

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses need platforms that don’t just keep up—they need ones that drive them forward. IBM Z and LinuxONE rise to this challenge by combining open-source flexibility with enterprise-grade performance, security, and resiliency. By leveraging open technology solutions, these platforms are empowering industries around the world to innovate at scale. One of the most exciting developments in this space is the collaboration between Canonical—the company b...