Are you not thinking already about cloud ?
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so do the demands on legacy systems like IMS. While the platform itself remains a powerhouse of stability and performance, the way we manage its data needs to adapt—particularly in the areas of backup, recovery, and operational resilience.
This blog explores how hybrid cloud strategies can be harnessed to modernize IMS environments, ensuring both continuity and agility in the face of growing challenges.
Why Resilience Matters in IMS
In an era where data is both a competitive asset and a liability, resilience means more than just uptime. It means:
Stability: Systems that can operate consistently under stress.
Security: Strong protection against evolving threats.
Recoverability: Validated and efficient recovery processes that minimize business impact.
The Case for Hybrid Cloud in Mainframe Backup
Mainframe environments—especially those running IMS—are increasingly looking to hybrid cloud object storage to replace aging tape or VTL infrastructures. And with good reason:
5 Benefits of Object Storage for Mainframe Data
Cost Optimization: Reduced reliance on expensive tape infrastructure.
Scalability & Flexibility: On-demand scaling without physical hardware limitations.
Faster Access & Performance: Quicker restores and data access.
Security & Compliance: Immutable backups and simplified auditing.
AI/Analytics Integration: Easier integration with modern data platforms for insights.
Gartner predicts that by 2025, 35% of mainframe backup and archive capacity will be cloud-based.
The Strategic Shift: From Backup to Business Enablement
Today’s storage admins aren’t just protecting data—they’re expected to enable faster recovery, support AI/ML initiatives, and reduce skillset dependencies.
“We need a modern alternative to our tape-based infrastructure that makes our data more actionable.” – Head of Data Storage Management
Cloud-based backup solutions reduce complexity, lower the barrier to entry for new talent, and support faster innovation.
Key Components of a Modern IMS Backup Strategy
To ensure continuity in an IMS environment, a backup plan must be more than routine—it must be purpose-built:
Backup Strategy Essentials:
Image Copy Methods: Full, incremental, fuzzy snapshot
Backup Frequency: Based on data criticality and change rate
Offsite & Encrypted Storage: Cloud-enabled for resilience
Automation: Conditional image copies, CA-triggering, zIIP offloading
Validation: Automated testing, JCL building, recovery simulations
What About Recovery?
A strong recovery strategy is built on two pillars:
🎯 Recovery Point Objective (RPO)
How much data can you afford to lose?
🚀 Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
How quickly must you be back online?
Aligning these objectives with application stakeholders is non-negotiable. Tools must support log analysis, simulation, and seamless recovery orchestration.
Don’t Forget the RECON
The RECON data sets are the nerve center of IMS recovery. Frequent backups, cleanup utilities, and RECON extensions should all be part of your strategy. Without them, recovery becomes guesswork.
Cloud + IMS: Resilient by Design
Hybrid cloud solutions don’t just enhance IMS—they elevate it. By combining on-prem performance with cloud flexibility, organizations can:
Eliminate single points of failure
Enable cyber-resilient architectures
Accelerate recovery from localized or systemic failures
Final Thoughts: Test Like It’s Production
Even the best plans fail without execution. Test your recovery strategy regularly:
Simulate failures
Validate recovery points
Estimate timelines
Involve cross-functional teams
Your ability to recover is only as strong as your last rehearsal.
Disclaimer:
With full respect for all IMS DBAs and System Programmers—this post isn’t about questioning skills. It’s just about showing how the right tools can make IMS work easier and more efficient.
These are my personal views, shared to support learning and collaboration in the IMS community.