Agentic AI—the next wave of artificial intelligence—goes beyond automation to enable systems that can reason, act, and adapt autonomously. On IBM Z, these capabilities unlock new frontiers for enterprises seeking resiliency, efficiency, and trust at scale. This conversation explores how businesses can harness Agentic AI to transform operations, modernize mission-critical workloads, and co-create new value with their customers. We’ll dive into the future of enterprise intelligence, ethical AI practices, and the unique advantages of IBM Z in driving innovation with confidence.

Watch the episode here: https://ibm.biz/BdbKz9

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Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

Marcus Davage is a seasoned technologist, lead product developer at BMC Software, and an IBM Champion. With a career that began in his teenage years—tinkering with early home computers like the Commodore 64 and Amiga—Marcus’s passion for computing led him to pursue a computer science degree and eventually discover the world of mainframes during an industrial placement at a steelworks. His journey from curious student to respected subject matter expert is marked by resilience, continuous learning, and a deep love for technology. Today, Marcus inspires others by sharing his experiences, mentoring emerging professionals, and championing innovation in enterprise computing.

In this episode, we sit down with PJ Catalano, IBM Z Test Architect, to discuss his origin story and how he got started in the mainframe space. PJ shares his journey from being a co-op student to becoming a leading expert in mainframe testing. We also dive into the process of testing a Z system, from emulation and simulation environments to hardware and firmware integration testing. PJ explains the importance of testing and how his team's efforts contribute to the reliability and quality of the IBM Z platform. Join us for an in-depth conversation about mainframe testing and the people who make it happen.

In this episode, we dive into the powerhouse of healthcare IT—the mainframe. From patient management to accounting and medical records, the mainframe continues to deliver unmatched reliability and scalability for healthcare organizations. We’ll explore how mainframe systems enable agility in workflows, simplify the process of upskilling, and integrate seamlessly with AI to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Whether you’re a healthcare IT professional, a mainframe enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of digital health, this episode will show you why the mainframe remains a cornerstone of modern healthcare innovation.

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Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

Behind every mission-critical transaction is data that must be available, resilient, and fast. In this episode, we explore how modern storage management keeps core enterprise systems running smoothly while adapting to new business demands. From automation to optimization, discover how smarter approaches to storage deliver real impact where it matters most—the customer experience.

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Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

When global companies need to move massive amounts of data—securely and without delays—they rely on something powerful: the mainframe. In this episode, we’re joined by experts from Capgemini to explore how Connect:Direct helps enterprises transfer critical files quickly, reliably, and securely—far beyond what email or traditional FTP can handle. From syncing systems across continents to powering high-stakes data flows in industries like banking, healthcare, and retail, this trusted solution bridges the gap between mainframe strength and hybrid cloud flexibility. Tune in to hear real-world insights on how the tech you don’t see keeps the world moving.

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Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

When you hear the word "debugging," you might picture someone tweaking a line of code or chasing down the cause of an error message. But in reality, debugging is much more than cosmetic — it’s where some of the most critical thinking in software development happens. On IBM Z—where stability, scale, and performance are non-negotiable—debugging becomes a mission-critical task that requires deep visibility and precision to ensure complex applications run flawlessly. Join us as we explore the high-stakes world of debugging on IBM Z—where precision matters, and where even small miscalculations can have big consequences. Learn how ColeSoft is helping developers stay ahead of issues before they impact production.

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Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

This episode features Dr. Herbert Daly, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire. When Herb first approached his Head of Department about adding mainframes to the curriculum, he was told it was a great idea—but the curriculum is only reviewed every five years, and the last review had just happened six months prior. So, he was advised to check back in four and a half years. Unfazed, Herb went beyond a formal mainframe curriculum! 

He explains, “In teaching Computer Science, the topics are quite generic, and mainframes fit into many areas like cybersecurity, data science, and more. There are plenty of opportunities to include mainframe learning.”

Herb believes real deep learning happens outside the formal curriculum. He actively engages the student community through clubs, societies, guest talks, and industry events. These efforts bring practitioners directly to students and help build practical skills and enthusiasm for the mainframe world.

His students often say, “I would like to be the person who knows everything about something as big and important as mainframe!”

Key takeaway:

This is the golden age of mainframe learning! there's never been a better time to get involved with the mainframe community.

Find out about BEAMS, MASS and HEARTZ ……

🎧 Tune in to hear how Herb’s approach is inspiring students and opening new doors in mainframe education!

Resources

Visit the IBM Z Educator Hub User Group on the IBM Z and LinuxONE Community for IBM Z educators to find the latest communications, news and events, as well as collaborate and network. Check out technical lecture’s, blogs, events, videos, discussions, and more. 

Join here .

Subscribe to “The z/Education!” Podcast. Each month we talk to IBM Z Educators from around the world on their success stories, journeys and their best practices.

In this energizing episode, we explore the journey of a mainframe professional who has embraced innovation while making advocacy and mentorship central to their mission. This story highlights the power of mainframes in the AI era and the support gained from trailblazing women mentors. It showcases themes of growth, inclusion, and the global connections within the mainframe community. The episode emphasizes that mainframes are not just relevant; they are essential. Whether you are new to enterprise tech or a long-time enthusiast, this episode will inspire you and illuminate what it means to be a mainframer today.

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Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.
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Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

This episode features Geoffrey Decker, an instructor in Computer Science at the Northern Illinois University (NIU) and a firm believer in quality over quantity when teaching programming. Geoffrey encourages getting students “down and dirty into the programming” — not just teaching theory or showing pictures — so they truly “program and really test their skills.” 

His goal? 

Geoffrey wants students to learn so well that “they can teach themselves advanced techniques.” 

Advice to educators: 

His message is clear: “No teacher of programming should just be a droner. Don’t drone — bring your enthusiasm and a solid, positive attitude to teaching.” This mindset transformed his tough Assembler class into an engaging experience that sparked students’ interest to sign up for and continue with advanced Mainframe courses. 

Don’t miss the rapid-fire questions at the end — you won’t believe how many vinyl LPs and CDs he owns! If you guess right, let me know!! 

🎧 Don’t miss this motivating conversation with Geoffrey!  

Resources 

Visit the IBM Z Educator Hub User Group on the IBM Z and LinuxONE Community for IBM Z educators to find the latest communications, news and events, as well as collaborate and network. Check out technical lecture’s, blogs, events, videos, discussions, and more.  

Join here 

Subscribe to “The z/Education!” Podcast. Each month we talk to IBM Z Educators from around the world on their success stories, journeys and their best practices.