Modernizing legacy functions isn't just a good way to meet changing technological needs: it can also help a business address workforce changes. One of the concerns surrounding the mainframe is the way those who understand it are aging out of the industry.
In their place is a mobile-friendly Millennial set that may still need the benefits of the older applications. A simple solution could be combining old systems with new through an easy-to-use browser emulator and mainframe UX upgrade that works well with various applications. Since it's ideal for newer devices and matches common browsers, it can pose less of a hassle for a shifting employee base with many data needs.
Writing for Forbes last year, Adrian Bridgwater noted the "clash of cultures" separating the new developers from older mainframe architectures. He mentioned the different arguments around whether or not the newer generation should work with green screens or not. This could be seen as either a step backwards or a necessary learning process.
Enterprises should anticipate new changes by embracing flexible mainframe solutions.However, enterprises shouldn't focus too much on arbitrary generational distinctions. According to a study from the Economist Intelligence Unit, as mentioned in Information Age, there is currently overlap among different age groups.
No matter what age, the early device adopters in these demographics could be as much as 72 percent more likely to increase productivity after embracing mobile solutions. The same source also stated that 59 percent of these adopters feel happier in their jobs, and 40 percent would refuse to work if they couldn't bring their own device with them.
Based on this data, it may be less important to consider the age of the workforce than their fluency with state of the art solutions. With Inventu Flynet, Legacy modernization tasks are simple and can progress from the setup businesses already use.