IBM has started shipping the latest version of its
mainframe computer to address new markets.
System z9 is the ninth generation of IBM's z-series mainframe
platform, which IBM says has twice the capabilities of its
predecessor.
The company is aiming System z9 at the world’s largest companies
and the government sector, and comes with enhanced security to
protect sensitive data.
"There is a groundswell of interest from businesses and
governments around what the new class of mainframes can do," said
Erich Clementi, general manager of IBM System z9.
"Companies are looking to the mainframe more than ever to help
manage some of the most complex corporate issues, such as
protecting the security of customer information and complying with
regulations. Our deep commitment to Java, Linux, virtualisation and
service-oriented architectures on the mainframe are driving
adoption," he said.
The platform can handle up to a billion transactions a day and
can contain up to 54 processors and 18 billion transistors.
The starting price of the z9 is around $1m (£600,000).