Title: Realtime information sharing between z/OS Applications and Azure
The IBM Z Digital Integration Hub (zDIH) is designed to facilitate real-time consumable information flow at scale between mainframe applications and hybrid cloud, without disrupting those core business applications and associated service-level agreements (SLAs). Z Digital Integration Hub integrates core business applications running on z/OS with broader Azure cloud architecture to accelerate transformation.
With IBM Z Digital Integration Hub, you can curate necessary information as opposed to moving all the raw data originating from the many core applications and related data sources. Then, mainframe-optimized technologies are used to communicate and store that curated/aggregated information in memory. You can surface that information through various standards-based interfaces, including through event-based mechanisms such as Kafka or open standard-based APIs. IBM zDIH is particularly well-suited for use cases involving Systems of Record on IBM z/OS®, providing a robust solution for streamlined and secure application integration.
Overview
For IBM® Z application modernization, a crucial focus is establishing an optimal, effective, scalable, and real-time information flow between on-premise core Systems of Record and cloud-based applications. Real-time information from Core Systems of Record is critical across industries. For example, in banking, Core Systems of Record generate high-value information needed in real-time including deposits, Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments, card processing, insurance claims processing, and many more. IBM zDIH addresses existing challenges for obtaining mainframe data using alternative approaches, including:
Since the focus is on real-time information, the recommended approach is fundamentally hybrid—having an optimized cache implementation on z/OS co-residing with critical core systems and enabling the information to flow to numerous cloud applications on Azure. This approach enables enterprise-wide application modernization and digital transformation efforts.
Architecture
In this reference architecture and application demo, an example front-end application is hosted in Microsoft Azure which integrates with IBM Z Digital Integration Hub running on z/OS which, in turn, efficiently integrates with core business applications co-residing on z/OS. The front-end demo application provides a visualization of a user’s banking account transaction history. Additionally, the application retrieves user information from Microsoft Fabric and provides notifications to the user about account conditions.
IBM Z Digital Integration Hub (zDIH) allows for the near-real-time information sharing between core business applications and Microsoft Fabric to satisfy these use cases. When a user checks their account balance transaction history, the information request is sent directly to IBM zDIH caches, which maintains currency of the account transactions without needing to copy data into data warehouse solutions. In doing so, IBM zDIH prevents data proliferation and meets currency requirements at scale. When a user views or modifies their general profile information, these requests are sent to Microsoft Fabric and retrieved from OneLake.
Finally, IBM zDIH can be configured in an events-based approach to proactively share curated information via Kafka to Microsoft Fabric event streams . As new transactions of interest are processed on the System of Record, account notifications can be processed through these event streams and trigger Data Activator flows to emit the notification to downstream applications and consumers. Combining the capabilities of Microsoft Fabric and IBM zDIH allows clients to quickly develop new solutions using near-real-time information from IBM Z.
Workflow
Components
Alternatives
Scenario Details
Microsoft Power Platform / Power Apps is a low code / no code option to create a web-based UI that will in turn connect to the above developed services. This architecture illustrates both a low code Power Apps client as well as a custom web app client.
Potential use cases
It's crucial to define use cases that align well with IBM zDIH to maximize its value proposition. Common use cases exhibit the following characteristics:
Integration with core Systems of Record (SoR) on z/OS®: IBM zDIH enables seamless integration with core Systems of Record (SoR) running on the z/OS platform. This integration ensures that critical and high-value business operational information generated by mainframe-based SoR systems, such as customer information, transaction records, and running account balances, can be efficiently consumed and analyzed in real-time.
Real-time information flow: IBM zDIH facilitates real-time information flow by enabling the continuous capture, processing, and analysis of relevant transactions from SoR systems. This real-time information flow ensures that organizations have access to up-to-date and actionable insights, allowing them to transform their operations, provide improved customer experiences, as well as new revenue opportunities.
Event-oriented processing: IBM zDIH supports event-oriented processing, allowing organizations to capture and analyze relevant events as they occur in real-time. This capability enables organizations to detect and respond to critical events promptly, such as fraudulent transactions, customer requests, and market fluctuations, helping to mitigate risks and enhance operational efficiency.
Separation of query processing from update transactions: IBM zDIH provides the opportunity to separate query processing from update transactions, ensuring thatunpredictable inquiry traffic can service current information in real-time while also avoiding disruptions to SoR systems.
Transformation of System of Record (SoR) information models into a more consumable model aligned to consumers: IBM zDIH facilitates the transformation of SoR data into a more consumable information model, making it easier for business users and applications to consume mainframe data, ensure accuracy, and accelerate time to value of new digital initiatives.
Cost advantages for inquiry processing: IBM zDIH offers cost advantages by separating inquiry processing from transaction processing, utilizing high-zIIP eligibility, optimizing resource utilization and leveraging the scalability of the IBM Z platform .
Considerations
The following considerations, based on the Azure Well-Architected Framework, apply to this solution.
Reliability
Reliability ensures your application can meet the commitments you make to your customers. For more information, see Overview of the reliability pillar.
Security
Security provides assurances against deliberate attacks and the abuse of your valuable data and systems. For more information, see Overview of the security pillar.
Cost Optimization
Cost optimization is about looking at ways to reduce unnecessary expenses and improve operational efficiencies. For more information, see Overview of the cost optimization pillar.
Use Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate the cost of implementing the solution.
Operational Excellence
Operational excellence covers the operations processes that deploy an application and keep it running in production. For more information, see Overview of the operational excellence pillar.
Performance Efficiency
Performance Efficiency covers the operations processes that deploy an application and keep it running in production. For more information, see Overview of the performance efficiency pillar.
Contributors
This article is maintained by Microsoft. It was originally written by the following contributors.
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Next Steps
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