There exists a misconception regarding mainframes, said Fulton, that it's just an old platform running old green screen applications, but "it's a database server, it's a giant server for virtualized applications."

That myth, he continued, exists in academia and among IT graduates to a point that mainframe-skilled professionals are a dying breed. The question, he said, is, "How (do we) take college grads who are excited about SOA and Java and Web-based applications, and get them excited about mainframes?" CA is hoping deliverables through its Mainframe 2.0 initiative will combat that negative image, and ultimately help enterprises deal with the issue of mainframe support.

There is a "solid value proposition" in the mainframe, said Fulton, given it physically sits in one building, is reliable and powerful, and complements the surge in interest in virtualization.

According to Richard Ptak, principal analyst with Ptak, Noel & Associates LLC, the firm's research shows large segments of the computer populations outside the U.S. recognize the capability of the mainframe in the emerging world of cloud computing. And, Linux users, too, research shows, are experiencing a rising success rate in moving applications to the mainframe.

Ptak is impressed by CA's mainframe management products, describing them as "well thought out in terms of their depth and breadth in how they're rolling them out and integrating them."

The Mainframe 2.0 initiative and associated deliverables will go a long way to helping enterprises and universities using mainframes address problems they are facing, said Ptak, like the aging mainframe talent and the perception of differences between mainframe and distributed computing. That said, Ptak doesn't know if those efforts are enough to combat the myths concerning mainframes. "I'm not sure if this alone is going to be able to reverse the impression."

Ptak said CA's strategy to better align itself with IBM's mainframe offerings is a good move and reflective of symbiotic relationships that typically exist between the major mainframe players. "They all fundamentally have an interest in the success and future of mainframes," said Ptak, adding that in some areas, they even compete directly.

Fulton can't say how long initiatives like Mainframe 2.0 will take in ameliorating people's view of the mainframe. "Changing the perspective of the world at large in the IT industry is certainly not something you can do overnight," said Fulton.