Jones and DiMarzio also said IBM aims to expand the base of independent software developers using the System z platform. IBM will also encourage new independent software vendors (ISVs) to develop their applications for the System z through technical, sales and marketing support, no-cost access to IBM IT architects, advertising discounts and customer lead generation tools.

The executives added that part of the company's mainframe strategy is the new IBM middleware to secure and integrate the hundreds of applications and petabytes of data running through IBM System z and other computers in an IT infrastructure.

Jones said 41 percent of all mainframe customers are now seriously evaluating SOA implementations on IBM mainframes compared to last year's 31 percent. 'Two years ago, it was a very small number,' he said, noting the improvement is a validation that SOA is real.

DiMazario said there are real tangible benefits to be gained in SOA, referring particularly to the ability of developing applications much faster, while Jones said the longer term is more on the business gains.

Both executives also announced that IBM has made software tools that make the creation of 'services-ready' mainframe applications by Java, Visual Basic, COBOL and PL/1 developers to be as easy as mastering an advanced video game after only a short time. They claim more companies are turning to IBM System z as the nexus for SOA, noting that services are placing new demands on network performance and security.