A mainframe (also known as "big iron") is a high-performance computer used for large-scale computing purposes that require greater availability and security than a smaller-scale machine can offer. Historically, mainframes have been associated with centralized rather than distributed computing. IBM emphasizes that their mainframes can be used to serve distributed users and smaller servers in a computing network.

The mainframe is sometimes referred to as a "dinosaur" not only because of its size but because of reports, going back many years that it's becoming extinct. I.B.M. overhauled the insides of the mainframe, using low-cost microprocessors as the computing engine. The company invested and updated the mainframe software, so that banks, corporations and government agencies could still rely on the mainframe as the rock-solid reliable and secure computer for vital transactions and data, while allowing it to take on new chores like running Web-based programs.

The original mainframes were housed in room-sized metal frames, which is probably where the name derives from. In the past, a typical mainframe might have occupied 2,000 - 10,000 square feet. Latest mainframes are about the same size as a large refrigerator.

Large organizations in financial services, insurance, retail and other industries, as well as many state governments, run their core applications on mainframes. There are greater demands being placed on these systems (especially in BRIC countries like Brazil, Russia, India and China). As more users seek to conduct business online and via mobile devices, systems must scale to meet new demands.

Also driving interest in the market, IBM has made the mainframe more useful. Ten years ago, IBM added Linux support to its System z mainframes. This gives System z users great flexibility and allows them to consolidate a variety of workloads. A typical use of Linux on a System z is to run, for example, a transaction processing application on the zSeries/Operating System (z/OS) and Web services applications on Linux side-by-side on the same machine.

Unfortunately, many IT professionals lack mainframe programming and administration skills. But is it worth learning theses skills now? Definitely, yes. A large percentage of the people who work on mainframes are approaching retirement age. One number frequently cited since about 2005 is that about 80 percent of the people who support mainframe operations are 50 years old or older. That puts this group at about 55 years old now. So in the next five to 10 years, many organizations anticipate large-scale retirements from this part of their staff.

IBM launched an annual educational contest five years ago that helps develop a new crop of developers and IT Managers with Mainframe Skills. Such skills are expected to be in demand in the future as mainframe use expands, thanks to Linux support and the forthcoming retirement of the baby boomers who are currently managing the world’s installed mainframe base.

The Master the Mainframe contest has three stages. In each stage, the challenges get progressively harder and the prizes get larger. Part one is designed to get students comfortable with navigating the mainframe user interface, as well as introducing them to some basic mainframe concepts. The first 1,000 students to complete this section 100 percent correctly received custom Master the Mainframe T-shirts.

Part two gives students some practical experience working on a mainframe. The students must perform extensive systems programming (advanced commands, system security and advanced system navigation) and application developing (C, JAVA, COBOL, assembler and REXX) tasks. All students who completed part two 100 percent correctly could add their resumes to the Student Opportunity System database, a recruiting tool accessible to all of IBM's clients and business partners. Additionally, the first 60 students who completed this section 100 percent correctly received a $100 prepaid debit card and a certificate from IBM.

Part three of the contest exposes students to real-world challenges. The five students who completed the most tasks in this phase got to choose between a Samsung 22-inch LCD HDTV and a Lenovo S10-2 netbook computer. In addition, top winners got a two-day expenses-paid trip to the IBM mainframe lab in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. USA

Maples ESM Technologies MFAP - Main Frame Application Program and MFSA – Main Frame Systems Administration programs are equally good and the opportunities also are similar. It all depends on individual’s preference to choose between Software Application Development and Systems Administration / Maintenance