Decoding Mainframe Pricing Mechanics And Metrics

Unraveling the complex pricing metrics and mechanics of IBM System z hardware and software requires tapping your most investigative infrastructure, operations, and procurement specialists. The first order of business is to understand the performance metrics of the multiple mixed applications workload types that run on the System z platform. The next step is to understand how you can use virtualization functionality to carve up and optimize all of the components of System z (e.g., CPU, memory, storage, and communication I/O — thereby gaining extreme levels of sustained capacity utilization and greater opportunities for applications stacking and its associated cost savings. A deep understanding of the technology differentiators and systems design will better prepare you to turn the knobs and levers to optimize your mainframe's life-cycle costs. In essence, only when you have a complete understanding of the technical foundation of System z's unique architecture can you fully exploit System z's pricing philosophy, mechanics, and metrics.