Mainframe Solutions

Anchor Software offers its data quality and postal processing USPS® certified products to operate on IBM Mainframe computers. The lack of dedicated and cost-effective postal software for mainframe helped to shape Anchor’s very successful mainframe products, which include MaxCASS OS and MaxPresort OS. Anchor’s mainframe products are engineered to provide high reliability and scalability, and also include responsive technical support and extensive online documentation. Anchor can provide expert advice and professional services to help integrate Anchor’s solutions into existing systems.

Mainframe statistics

There are currently 10,000 mainframes actively being used around the world. More specifically by:

  • 96 of the world’s largest 100 banks
  • 9 out of 10 of the world’s largest insurance companies
  • 23 of the 25 largest retailers in the United States
  • 71 percent of the Fortune 500 use IBM System z mainframes.
  • 10,000 mainframes actively being used around the world

Mainframe statistics

  • Reliability, availability, serviceability
  • Security
  • Scalability
  • Continuing compatibility

Distributed Processing

Occasionally, an organization may find a situation where a critical piece of software isn’t available for the mainframe platform, or where doing a full install on a mainframe system is feasible for financial or technological reasons. Mainframes can be linked to other systems in what is called distributed processing. In those cases, we can provide the needed software using our mainframe distributed systems.

For example, to access CASS on a distributed server the information stored on the mainframe is transmitted to the distributed server. It is processed using a CASS system (such as MaxCASS OS), and an output file is created. The output file is transmitted back to the client mainframe and inserted back into the workflow.

Distributed processing can be run on nearly every operating system or online as a cloud-based or SaaS build.

How Mainframe Systems are Great for Address Quality and Postal Processing

While cloud-based solutions are increasing in popularity, mainframe systems are still a great choice for address quality and postal processing, especially for larger organizations with high-volume needs. Here’s why:

Strengths of Mainframes for Address Management

 

  • High scalability and Performance – Mainframes are designed to handle massive amounts of data processing efficiently. They can manage large address databases and perform address verification and standardization tasks quickly, even for millions of addresses at once. Check out our MaxCASS Plus solution that can verify hundreds of millions of records per hour!
  • Reliability and Uptime –  Mainframes are renowned for their reliability. They have robust hardware architecture and redundant systems that minimize downtime, crucial for ensuring uninterrupted postal processing operations.
  • Security – Mainframes are considered highly secure platforms with strong built-in security features. This is essential for protecting sensitive customer data like addresses and financial information. Did you know that Anchor Software solutions offers Military Grade Encryption?
  • Compliance Mainframe systems often have robust compliance features, making it easier to adhere to regulations, or data privacy laws.
  • Integration Capabilities Mainframes can integrate with existing legacy systems and modern solutions, allowing you to leverage your existing infrastructure while utilizing advanced address quality tools.
  • Proven Track Record – Mainframes have been used for postal processing for decades, demonstrating their effectiveness and reliability in this specific area. Companies using them likely have established workflows and expertise in place.

What is a Mainframe?

A mainframe is a large, high-performance computer that is typically used by large organizations for critical applications and data processing. Mainframes are known for their reliability, scalability, and security, making them ideal for handling complex workloads and managing vast amounts of data. Mainframes, through their sophisticated operating systems, have evolved over the years to offer a wide range of mainframe solutions such as virtualization, cloud computing, and analytics capabilities. These mainframe solutions, powered by robust operating systems, help businesses to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve productivity while ensuring the security and integrity of their critical business data. Additionally, the operating system of a mainframe plays a crucial role in maintaining its performance and reliability.

Definition and History

  • Mainframes are used for tasks requiring high input data and handling large transactions.
  • They offer high processing power, security, compatibility, and scalability.
  • Mainframes are used by many banks to host their databases and are deeply embedded in organizational IT.

Mainframe Operating Systems    

The Need for Mainframe Modernization

  • Mainframes are business-critical and at the heart of enterprise computing.
  • They offer performance, consistency, and reliability that is unmatched by other systems.
  • Modernization aims to take what is already working and improve it to achieve new business outcomes.

Benefits of Mainframe Solutions for Large Organizations

  • Mainframe solutions offer high processing power, security, compatibility, and scalability.
  • They enable organizations to optimize mainframe performance, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
  • Mainframe solutions are essential for large organizations to achieve digital transformation and stay competitive.

Mainframe systems are used by IT organizations to host the most important, mission-critical applications. This includes customer order processing, financial transactions, production and inventory control, payroll, and many other functions. Mainframe systems are inherently stable and reliable—they owe much of their longevity and popularity to this fact.