"Since [billing] on the mainframe is primarily done based on capacity utilization, this speaks directly to the need of controlling costs," Combs explained.

CA also uses zIIP to cut the processor time on its database management software, IDMS (Integrated Database Management System). The new version offloads 50 percent of its workload to zIIP processing. The software also features more automatic tuning tools and reporting statistics.

Although mainframe computing is often thought to be a legacy technology, it maintains a stronghold in many enterprises. Semerjian characterized mainframe computing as a simple way to deploy a "private cloud." CA estimates that the total market from mainframe products and services will grow to US$11.4 billion in 2014, up from $10.6 billion in 2010.

The IDG News Service