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Mainframe Challenge

Mainframes make the world go round. Seriously, most of the biggest businesses in the world use a mainframe for their most mission-critical operations. If you've ever taken cash out of the wall, booked a flight or bought anything on the Internet, you've probably used a mainframe.

So, we are pleased to announce the IBM student mainframe challenge! You'll join a fictional company and, over three increasingly challenging stages, develop mainframe knowledge that translates into real skills for your C.V. Learn how businesses use these powerful machines. Prove your new-found abilities, and you'll have the chance to win a hooded sweatshirt, an Amazon Kindle Keyboard, and the top 3 winners receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab.

The winners will also have the opportunity to visit IBM's Development Laboratory at Hursley (near Winchester) and see mainframes and other innovative technologies in action.

Students from all across the world are entering national Mainframe Challenges. The 2011 Mainframe Challenge is now open for registration.

Competition update

Over 300 people registered for the 2011 UK Mainframe Challenge with over 100 winning themselves a sweatshirt for completing Part 1. 32 people completed the challenging Part 2 and we decided to award them all with an Amazon Kindle for their efforts.

The three Part 3 winners visited the Hursley and Manchester Labs to receive their prize of a Samsung Galaxy Tab on the 22nd February:

Peter Fenner            University of Manchester
Dauren Sarsenov     University of Southampton
Vuong Nguyen          University of Southampton

Dauren and Vuong receiving their prize from Derek Treagus in the Hursley Lab.

Peter being presented his prize by David Turnbull in the Manchester Lab.

Congratulations to everyone who participated and we hope to see you again later in the year!

When is the competition running?

The registration website is now closed.

Stages of the competition

All three stages of the contest are linked so that you build your skills and competencies on the Mainframe as you complete each section. In the instructions you will be guided by a more experienced member of the programming team and asked to complete a series of tasks, each increasing in difficulty.

Stage 1 - Breaking the Ice

We will provide you with extensive screen shots and direction, guiding you along and letting you know exactly what you need to do. This part of the contest is designed to get you comfortable with navigating the mainframe user interface, as well as to introduce you to some basic mainframe concepts.

The first 250 students to successfully complete this stage will receive a hooded sweatshirt.

Stage 2 - Practical Experience

This section will require considerably more work! Using the skills you learned in Stage 1, you will perform some more extensive tasks performed by System Programmers on the Mainframe.

The first 25 students to successfully complete this stage will receive an Amazon Kindle Keyboard.

Stage 3 - Real World Challenge

This section is challenging, and will require extensive work. Again this will use the skills that you learnt in the previous stages of the contest. You will be required to implement a new solution based on technology within CICS and the web.

The top three students at this stage will receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab, plus a visit to IBM Hursley, Winchester.

How to register

To register simply read though the Contest Rules document (DOC, 124KB).

Then simply click of the registration link below and fill in the form. Once filled in click 'go' and registration is complete. You will receive an automated email to the email address supplied to show that your registration has been entered into our administration system.

Registration link

Competition instructions

Stage 1 - Breaking the ice (PDF, 1.7MB)

Stage 2 - Practical Experience (PDF, 2.1MB)

University Business Challenge

The IBM Universities Business Challenge is a national competition open to all faculties of UK universities. The Challenge offers undergraduates the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the business world - win cash prizes, enhance their CV and have a lot of fun! Now in its eleventh year and with IBM as the lead sponsor, the IBM Universities Business Challenge is going from strength to strength. You can find further information about the 2011-2012 challenge via the following website: www.universitiesbusinesschallenge.com

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