I have seen many ibmers move to FAANG, Microsoft and many good start ups. But has anyone from these reputed and good companies come to IBM for the next step in their career? This will be great insight about why they left previous company and how do they feel working at IBM? Please share your honest experiences.
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"If you think there could be a "standard playbook" you don't know anything about z/OS. "
Been at MVS since early 80's. Started in Ops... worked all the way up to MF software product development.
That's why I asked... I often read such initiatives fail spectacularly.
But now some are saying AWS does it rather well...
The two views seem contradictory to me.
But, I imagine, if AWS has thrown enough money at it, it could be done. If they are good at it, this suggests they've done enough engagements to get a framework together for migration of each major MF software product and it's ecosystem.
The harder part might be on-site, in house developments.
One of the earmarks of MF/MVS/VM is that the early software products seemingly tried to put every possible option into them... including such things as User Exits, which would compound issues. In JES2 it's even possible to insert your own exit points...
After all, before MF software went closed/Object Code Only... the source was available. Even after that... it was available on microfiche, back in the old days.
So I'm well aware that a migration would, in most cases, be rather like trying to untie a massive hairball...
If but because back in the old days, the way Sysprogs made their reputation... was by modifying the system... so plain vanilla is a rarity that only stated to come back into vogue after the headcount reductions following the 1987 market crash.
So there is a little bit of disbelief in the question, that's not apparent in print.
If you think there could be a "standard playbook" you don't know anything about z/OS.
@2tpf+1bedkIE - Thanks for the FYI, definitely appreciated.
@2tpf+1bedkIE
AWS has a big practice that only does mainframe to AWS migrations. They are very successful and are always looking for mainframe folks.
Look up and get in touch with this guy on LinkedIn:
Foulques (Phil) de Valence. He is an ex-IBMer.
" Left the company for AWS in 2020 and running large cloud migrations."
Are those migrations of z/OS and z/VM to AWS?
If so, does AWS have a playbook or cookbook for the standard from -> to mappings?
One usually hears such migrations fail?
Any training in that arena available from AWS? Can a current mainframer get hired by AWS, and make that jump "on the job"?
Left GTS in 2017 for better pay and WL balance. Spent 3 years modernizing my skills from DC consolidation to Cloud migration. Left the company for AWS in 2020 and running large cloud migrations. Try AWS. It's not for everyone, but I love it. Take control of your career. I'm in my late 50s and have a new career.
I didn’t come from FAANG but I was headhunted from GBS’s biggest competitor who has had absolutely insane growth over the past 5 years compared to GBS’s steady decline. After moving over, I see why GBS has been in a decline. Basic reasons are: 1) zero direction set by leadership 2) inadequate talent management 3) force fitting a services business into a product model 4) too top heavy instead of a pyramid model 5) lack of an industry-standard incentive structure 6) lack of access to senior client relationships. I left the competitor because I was passed over for a promotion and IBM swooped in with an opportunity during a vulnerable time. I would have been better off just staying put as my prior firm gave 5-10% raises plus 15-20% bonuses every year for most employees. But what I miss the most is the level of access we had to senior clients. I was regularly meeting with client CTOs and CIOs. At IBM, we spend hours preparing for meetings with client IT managers. This is why it takes so long to close on deals and the total value ends up being far lower. One of my peers on another account told me that IBM flew in Arvind to meet with the client CTO and he stood him up. I didn’t have the guts to mention that as a B9 equivalent at my last firm, I had weekly 1-1s with this exact CTO and he never stood me up. GBS needs a huge overhaul in leadership if they have any hope to survive.
"IBMers, AWS is hiring, please submit your resumes. You have nothing to lose but to make a lot more money and get some interesting work. "
Is there a transition path for folks that are mainframe heavy?
IBMers, AWS is hiring, please submit your resumes. You have nothing to lose but to make a lot more money and get some interesting work.
IBM is focusing on cheap NEW HIRES so they are ONLY looking at PTECH, NEW COLLAR, and COLLEGE GRADUATES (ie: got degree within the last 2-3 years) for any technical work. I do not think they are hiring anyone with a degree above BS and are not looking to hire from other companies.
Looks like no one comes here from a good place.
This shows the real value of company. In this big tech market, no one really wants to work here.
I fear you will not have many if any honest experiences. IBM is not doing much to hire talent from other companies, and probably very few talented people want to move to IBM. IBM is not a company you want to join anymore. At least that is the problem IMHO.