I had the pleasure of sitting down with Deborah Carbo, the Director of Product Management at Broadcom’s mainframe division, at Share 2019 in Pittsburgh. In our conversation, Deborah shared insights into her role, the challenges facing the industry, and the Vitality program, among other topics. Here’s a breakdown of our discussion:
Director of Product Management at Broadcom
Deborah’s role at Broadcom’s mainframe division involves bringing products to market successfully and solving critical problems for customers. With a background in mainframe spanning over 20 years, she is dedicated to understanding and addressing the performance and security needs of businesses that rely on mainframe technology.
Focus on Workload Management and Database Environments
In her role, Deborah has a significant focus on workload management and database environments, particularly with Broadcom’s IDMS and Datacom systems. These systems are foundational for many businesses, serving as the system of record for critical transactions and data management. Workload management is essential for efficiently managing these environments and ensuring priority is given to the most critical workloads.
Skills Development and Succession Planning
Deborah emphasized the importance of skills development and succession planning in the mainframe space. With many long-time mainframe professionals approaching retirement, there is a need to attract and train the next generation of mainframe experts. This is where the Vitality program comes into play, offering a comprehensive curriculum and mentorship opportunities to prepare individuals for careers in mainframe technology.
Women in IT Breakfast and Diversity in Mainframe
Deborah highlighted the significance of diversity, particularly the growing number of women entering the mainframe space. She shared her experience at a Women in IT breakfast, where she was inspired by the increasing presence of women in the industry. The Vitality program’s focus on attracting young women to the mainframe space is a step towards fostering diversity and bringing different perspectives to problem-solving in technology.
Customer and End User Partnership
A key aspect of the Vitality program is the partnership between Broadcom and its customers and end users. Deborah emphasized the importance of collaboration in raising and nurturing future mainframe experts. This partnership involves not only providing training and mentorship but also integrating individuals into customer environments to gain practical experience and knowledge transfer.
Closing Thoughts
Deborah’s insights shed light on the evolving landscape of mainframe technology and the efforts being made to empower the next generation of mainframe professionals. The commitment to skills development, diversity, and customer partnerships is shaping a promising future for the mainframe industry.
As Share 2019 comes to a close, it’s evident that the mainframe community is growing and evolving, thanks to the dedication of individuals like Deborah and the support of companies like Broadcom. The future of mainframe technology is indeed bright, offering exciting opportunities for the next generation of tech enthusiasts.
In conclusion, our conversation with Deborah Carbo provided valuable insights into the mainframe industry and the initiatives driving its future. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the collaboration, diversity, and skills development efforts are laying the foundation for a thriving mainframe ecosystem.
