Discover why mainframes still matter, how they fit with cloud and AI, and their future role in secure, resilient enterprise computing.
Speaker
Berk Kaya, Delivery Consultant – IBM Z Early Professional, IBM
Agenda
7:00pm - Arrival and refreshments
7:30pm - Mainframe: Past, Present, and Future (lecture)
8:30pm - Questions and answers
9:00pm - Event close
Synopsis
Mainframe computers have played a critical role in the history of information technology. Emerging in the 1950s, they became the foundation of large-scale data processing, enabling governments, banks, and enterprises to handle massive workloads with unmatched reliability. For decades, mainframes powered mission-critical systems where performance, security, and availability were essential.
Today, despite the rise of cloud computing and distributed systems, mainframes remain highly relevant. Modern mainframes have evolved to support virtualisation, Linux workloads, cloud integration, and advanced security features. They continue to be the backbone of industries such as finance, insurance, transportation, and government, processing billions of transactions daily with near-zero downtime.
Looking to the future, mainframes are not disappearing; instead, they are adapting. With integration into hybrid cloud architectures, support for AI workloads, and a strong focus on cyber resilience, mainframes are positioned to remain a key part of enterprise computing. Their ability to combine legacy stability with modern innovation ensures that mainframes will continue to power critical systems for years to come.
About the speaker
Berk Kaya is a Delivery Consultant – IBM Z Early Professional at IBM, specialising in mainframe systems and enterprise technology.
He is currently completing his Computer Engineering degree at TED University, having previously studied at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. Berk is an active member of the global mainframe community and was formerly an IBM Z Captain, leading a team of over 150 Student Ambassadors worldwide.
In recognition of his efforts to promote and educate students about mainframe computing, he was selected as an IBM Champion. His professional interests focus on integrating trusted mainframe platforms with modern cloud technologies to deliver resilient and efficient enterprise solutions. Prior to joining IBM, Berk gained industry experience as a Cloud Engineer Intern at Huawei and a Data Governance Intern at Turkcell.
His broad technical background provides him with a strong understanding of how traditional and modern technologies intersect within enterprise environments.
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