DevOps platform GitLab and IBM have unveiled a new integrated solution designed to bridge the gap between legacy mainframe software development and modern cloud-native workflows.
GitLab Ultimate for IBM Z enables mainframe developers to access the same tools and features used by their distributed development counterparts.
The partnership addresses a persistent challenge in enterprise development where mainframe teams remain isolated from modern Development Security Operations (DevSecOps) practices.
The new offering provides native z/OS Runner support, allowing continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to execute directly on mainframe infrastructure without requiring complex workarounds.
"GitLab Ultimate for IBM Z represents an important step in addressing a long-standing industry challenge," Katie Norton, research manager for DevSecOps and software supply chain security at analyst firm International Data Corporation (IDC), said.
"IDC research shows that mainframe developers often work with legacy tooling that contributes to delivery inefficiencies and makes it harder to attract new talent."
The solution replaces expensive legacy library managers with GitLab's version-controlled repository system, potentially reducing licensing costs and maintenance overhead.
Integration with IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition delivers automated code scanning, dependency-based builds, and comprehensive debugging capabilities within familiar development environments.
The new platform enables developers to use consistent workflows whether deploying to z/OS, cloud, or on-premises infrastructure.
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