"We generate Cobol for deployment onto the mainframe," Shelley said.'

To connect mainframe data to complex business processes in an SOA, IBM is rolling out WebSphere Process Server for z, software that can help SOA-enable processes such as an online credit card purchase that requires checking inventory and shipping status.

The IBM WebSphere Enterprise Service Bus for IBM System z, meanwhile, integrates applications and services as part of an SOA running on the mainframe. For advanced ESB functionality, a new version of WebSphere Message Broker is shipping.

IBM WebSphere Portal 6.0 for z/OS combines applications in an SOA and customizes the information, such as enabling a sales manager to see a deal status, revenues, and product information, on the same screen for specific users, according to IBM.

Additionally, the planned DB2 Viper for z/OS data server will link unstructured data such as e-mail, videos, audio, images, and RFID-generated data with relational information on databases. It will support the IBM System z9 Integrated Information Processor, which is designed to free up computing capacity.