摘要：Information systems (IS) users in all sizes and types of organizations are moving toward a new synthesis of centralized and distributed computing. A new paradigm, defining the role of the mainframe within an enterprise model, is emerging. It combines the performance, flexibility and user-friendliness of small systems with the inherent economies of scale of central IS operations. The advantages of organization-wide consistency in data management, information distribution, system architectures and networking environments are creating new values for IS in this scenario. In this context, new roles can be clearly seen for the mainframe toward new millennium. Mainframes will remain viable in applications which represent genuine, organization-wide economies of scale. Similarly, mainframes will continue to play a vital role as platforms for large, mission-critical applications which leverage unique strengths of mainframe-based hardware and software architecture. Mainframes are also moving into a new role in strategies for distributed computing in open, heterogeneous networks. The core mainframes strengths are in data management. This involves the management of large databases and storage volumes, along with the movement of large data volumes. High bandwidth input/output facilities enable mainframes to act as hubs in enterprise-wide backbone networks. As database servers, mainframes maintain, protect and ensure the accessibility of critical data for all users within organizations. As enterprise resource managers, mainframes increase the cost-effectiveness and availability of distributed computing solutions by providing new services for the management of large, dispersed bases of midrange systems, personal computers, workstations and local area networks. These synergistic strengths in data management, resource management and resource integrity define new value for mainframes within multiplatform IS portfolios. Users who employ them effectively will be more able to achieve the gains of distributed computing without corresponding increases in complexities and support costs. They will also be able to leverage the mainframe role as enterprise data manager in new, high-impact applications for the collections, distribution and exploitation of important business information. The mainframe is an enterprise system. It will play a vital part in creating new business values through IS-driven improvements in organizational competitiveness efficiency and dynamism toward new millennium.
关键词：mainframe; information infrastructure; computer system; network management; database; communication system; data integrity; data management; large organization
