Mighty Mainfraime – Fireside Chat with Tobias Leicher

I am delighted to announce a series of Fireside Chats as part of the Mighty Mainframe newsletter. My very first guest is Tobias Leicher, an IBM Client Architect. As a true mainframe aficionado, he is very knowledgeable about all things mainframe but is also such an incredibly well-rounded professional and individual.  

I asked Tobias about future-proofing the mainframe platform and how he sees “mainframe modernization”. His answer was very lively and technically precise: “We need in-place modernization to close the technical debt.” He adeptly described why we need mainstream DevOps on the mainframe, Python vs. REXX, and Cobol vs. Java, and I especially liked the metaphor about “vegan sausages”.

Highlights of the first Fireside Chat: 

• Future-proofing Mainframe  
  •  Misconceptions from the past & challenges in the future. 
• Mainframe Modernization 
  • We have to close the technical debt. 
  • Why the hell do I need to switch to Python? 
• DevOps on Mainframe 
  • It’s not about the sausage, it’s about the fork and knife. 
• Mainframe in DACH  
  • DIY and closing the skills gap. 
• Upbringing young Mainframers 
  • One who understands Bach’s music would be very good at programming. 

Mainframe technology is here to stay, but the conversation around mainframes must evolve. A concerted effort is needed to dispel myths, foster knowledge exchange between generations, and reimagine the mainframe’s role in today’s digital economy. This requires a combination of strategic investments, holistic solutions, and a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.  I believe Tobias Leicher is a perfect personification of a new mainframe narrative! 

I could go on and on about the mainframe. If you want a monthly dose of the mainframe in your inbox– make sure to subscribe to the Mighty Mainframe newsletter.   

And hey, you can always reach out. We’ll be more than happy to chat with you!