Also in the pipeline this year for IBM is the introduction of the next version of DB2 for z/OS which contains advances for mainframe computing. IBM's next version of its flagship database is designed to cut IT infrastructure costs, streamline efforts to meet compliance obligations, and simplify data serving on the System z9 by providing enhanced XML, IBM WebSphere, and Java integration for SOA connections.

It also provides trusted security context database roles, better auditing capabilities, improved encryption for security, fast table replacement, partition by growth, and SQL improvements.