While cloud companies such as AWS are offering enterprise customers new ways to get applications off the mainframe and into the cloud, IBM moved this week to keep them on the Big Iron.

IBM rolled out a portal it calls the IBM Z and Cloud Modernization Center which offers an assortment of tools, training, resources and ecosystem partners to help IBM Z clients accelerate the modernization of mainframe applications, data and processes to work with hybrid-cloud architectures

“The rise of hyperscalers has led many organizations to consider an application migration approach to public cloud alone, but in many cases it can be a one-way street and lock-in to one public cloud, which may have implications on cost, governance and security,” wrote Ross Mauri General Manager for IBM Z in a blog about the announcement. “The IBM Z and Cloud Modernization Center helps clients leverage existing investments, rather than committing to a costly one-size-fits-all migration strategy.”

The center is a digital front door to tools, resources, training, ecosystem partners, and real client examples, Mauri stated.

“The center is the result of collaboration with IBM Consulting and broad ecosystem participation, including global services and technology partners. The ecosystem brings deep expertise in modernization, whether clients are modernizing existing apps and data or integrating cloud-native apps and data,” Mauri stated.

The center features ties to big IBM systems integrators such as Capgemini and Deloitte Consulting as well as software vendors and managed service partners including: Episode Six; Fiorano Software; Fujitsu Limited, Software Business Unit; HEXANIKA; Illumio; Luxoft, a DXC Technology Company; MuleSoft; Pennant Technologies; Software AG; Suntec Business Solutions; and Zafin.

IBM Consulting will run workshops, and informational and consulting services designed to help customers accelerate Big Iron- and application-modernization plans.