One of the facts I’ve referenced for years is how IBM continues to manufacture mainframes – and new versions even. I do so to highlight how older technology remains valuable even many years after it’s fashionable.
Well, maybe the end is happening. FedEx announced last month that they were moving entirely to the cloud and had a plan to remove all mainframes by 2024. FedEx’s CIO specifically noted it during their investor day, which is being pointed out as a key voice in the migration.
Why do we care?
Pundits like me generally have shorter timeframes with our projections than the reality on the ground. That said, mainframes are, at best, a niche market. They’re a great example that technology never really dies… but do you want to be in that market?
And at some point, the plug is pulled, and it’s generally due to a business factor. Here, FedEx sees they can unlock more by abandoning the legacy tech. I do expect IBM to sell some mainframes still, however. I just don’t want to be that reseller.