LATEST EPISODE
I Am But a Developer
In episode 9, Alice and Ravi go full Shakespearean to prove modern DevOps culture and mainframe belong together. Chaz is enthralled as the play ends Titanic-style—with a jealous Larry stepping in as Ravi’s co-star. Turns out DevOps, like comedy, is all about trust.
ABOUT BIG IRON BITS
From CIO to CI-Know: A Journey to Mainframe Advocacy
For decades, the mainframe has quietly powered banks, hospitals, and everything you really don’t want to fail. But when tech is that reliable, it’s easy to overlook—or assume it can be replaced.
Enter Big Iron Bits, a 12-episode mockumentary series of shorts exposing fact from fiction on all things mainframe. Expect a healthy dose of office hijinks, plus a surprising amount of clarity. But beneath the laughs, the message is simple: the mainframe is thriving, and the next generation is ready to take the baton.
Episodes From the Console
Watch the office unravel as misconceptions get busted, and the mainframe’s relevance gets revealed in between the jokes.
VIDEO
We're Going All Cloud
Episode 1
Chaz goes full “undercover boss” and declares that mainframes are too pricey—until Alice and Larry drop the facts.
VIDEO
This Job Is Bussin'
Episode 2
Chaz hires Ravi as his undercover "mainframe spy," only to discover Ravi's way more hyped about Big Iron than he is.
VIDEO
Not Without a Fight
Episode 3
Retirement rumors swirl, croissants fly, and Ravi's mainframe frat joins the action. Also, Larry's not leaving without a fight.
VIDEO
Lift and Shift Nightmares
Episode 4
A “ghost of lift and shift’s future” haunts Chaz, proving shortcuts on the mainframe can indeed be the death of you.
VIDEO
Taken for Granted
Episode 5
Larry & Reg Harbeck want to podcast in peace, but the party gets crashed—proving once again, everyone loves the mainframe.
VIDEO
Who's This Guy?
Episode 6
A sleep-deprived Chaz spirals until Greg Lotko shows him the mainframe is the real growth hack—convertible ride included.
VIDEO
Am I Taking Your Spot?
Episode 7
The “Security Summit of Summits” kicks off with parking spot drama and Broadcom’s Ravi saving the day with mainframe wisdom.
VIDEO
Oops, I Mainframed Again
Episode 8
Chaz melts down over mainframe talent myths until Larry, Ravi, and Alice bust out a musical pep talk. Phew, crisis averted.
VIDEO
I Am But a Developer
Episode 9
Ravi and Alice stage a Shakespeare-meets-Titanic-meets-Godfather play to prove modern DevOps + mainframe = happily ever after.
MEET THE TEAM
The Cast Behind the Code
Get to know the crew behind the mainframe mayhem—in fact, you’ve probably met them all before (or been them, yourself).
CHAZ, CIO
As the new CIO, Chaz is eager to make his mark in a very misguided way—by eliminating the mainframe. Less clever or “cool uncle” than he thinks, Chaz is still lovable to his core, even during his frequent dramatics. While he’s repeatedly schooled by his team and a cast of characters they introduce him to along the way, Chaz ultimately goes from a mainframe-hater, to its biggest fan. Talk about a riveting character arc.
LARRY, MAINFRAME LOYALIST
Larry’s been around before your time. Knows more than a thing or two. And he’s tired of talk about the mainframe going extinct (because it’s never gonna happen). Cold on the outside. A sensitive songbird on the inside. Larry’s a mainframe purist. Like his beloved parking space, he holds it in the highest regard. He understands how important the mainframe is, and he’s not about to let anyone say otherwise.
ALICE, MAINFRAME INFLUENCER
People see Alice as the gentle, optimistic, peacemaker of the group—but she’s much more. Alice is sharp, brave, and a strong defender of the mainframe and the talent behind it. Whether it’s bringing in the zombie ghost of lift and shift, or putting on a Shakespearean style play, she’s not afraid to boldly show Chaz that moving away from the mainframe is a big mistake. And she’s very convincing.
RAVI, MAINFRAME ENTHUSIAST
Ravi is the cool, confident hire Chaz brings in to help kill the mainframe—except Ravi’s secretly its biggest fan. With his bohemian vibe, frat brothers from Zeta Zeta Zeta, and a mainframe tattoo, he represents the next generation of talent who actually gets it. He’s witty, ambitious, and occasionally dramatic, but always ready to prove that the mainframe isn’t just alive—it’s thriving.
SUCCESS STORIES
Everyone’s Thriving on Big Iron
From banks to hospitals to global systems, these real-world wins prove the mainframe is alive and well. Spoiler alert: it’s doing way more than “keeping the lights on.”
STORY
CSU Digital Increased
Payment Throughput 30%
With no additional infrastructure investment, they improved ZIIP utilization and reduced operational costs through smarter workload management.
STORY
Banrisul Builds Mainframe Resilience
By partnering with Broadcom’s no-cost Vitality Program, Banrisul upskilled 17 associates in 12 weeks to strengthen modernization.
STORY
DAF Trucks Drives Efficiency with Big Iron
70% of DAF Trucks’ core systems now run on IDMS, showing how the mainframe keeps its global business running smoothly at scale.
STORY
NatWest Balances Cloud with COBOL
NatWest redefined its role as a “relationship bank for a digital world” by tightly integrating mainframe systems into a modern hybrid cloud architecture.
STORY
Fast-Tracking Security for a Fortune 500 Bank
By fast-tracking PCI encryption, a global bank encrypts 56,000 tapes fast, safeguarding customer data with mainframe power.
STORY
Oregon’s Mainframe Efficiency Drive
The State of Oregon Enterprise Technology Services ensured smooth public services with mainframe-powered systems.
STORY
Powering Stellar Patient Experiences
A large hospital system consolidated and simplified its Output Management by replacing ASG with CA View/Deliver.
STORY
Cutting Complexity, Serving Citizens
A local U.S. government administration solved its business challenges by replacing its existing software with a Broadcom Mainframe software solution.
STORY
A Hardware Store With Software Smarts
A major home improvement retailer saw how simplifying pays off—as streamlining their mainframe stack saved them millions in IT spend.
STORY
Getting Global Client Data Back on Track
A large IT services firm avoided disruption and protected global client operations, thanks to rapid Db2 data recovery.
STORY
Mainframe Lessons in School Security
A major district secured millions of records while cutting costs, proving the mainframe passes every school data security test.
Binge the Resources, Not Just the Show
Don’t close the tab yet. The mainframe has plenty more stories, surprises, and lessons to share.
Succession Planning Playbook
Who’s Next in Line for Big Iron?
No, Larry doesn’t have to work forever. See how to grow the next wave of mainframe talent.
Modernizing Critical Business Applications
Mainframe Apps: Still Legendary
Cloud detours? Overpriced rewrites? Skip the drama—and learn to modernize your apps smarter.
Data Management
Manage Data, Keep Your Sanity
Take control of Db2 data like a pro. Keep performance high and chaos low with smarter data management.
Security Mythbusters eBook
Mainframe Myths, Totally Busted
Five myths. Zero survivors. From MFA to quantum threats, learn the truth about mainframe security.
AIOps Observability
A View From Above
Drive excellence and wow customers by bringing mainframe, on-prem, and cloud under one observability roof.
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