The Montreal zUSERGroup once again brought together the IBM Z and LinuxONE community for a half-day rich in new developments, technical discussions, and hands-on demonstrations. Co-organized by NOVIPRO and SUSE, the event gave participants the opportunity to discover key innovations shaping the future of mission-critical environments.
1. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16 & Multi-Linux Manager
Presented by: Mike Friesenegger – Solutions Architect at SUSE
Mike works with customers seeking to understand how SUSE’s enterprise open-source solutions can optimize their operations. He collaborates closely with partners and has deep expertise in Linux, containers, and Kubernetes technologies across Intel, IBM Z, LinuxONE, and IBM Power architectures.
Key topics covered:
- Introduction to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16
- Multi-architecture management with SUSE Multi-Linux Manager
2. What’s New with IBM z17 & the Benefits for Linux
Presented by: Éric Cothenet – Enterprise Solutions Designer at NOVIPRO and IBM Champion for LinuxONE and Linux on Z
Topics discussed during the session:
- The latest innovations
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AI Inference, IBM Spyre
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Security
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Live demonstration
👉 Download the NOVIPRO presentation (PDF)
3. IBM watsonx Assistant for Z: AI Powering the Mainframe
Presented by: Michael Fang – zSW Technical Sales Specialist at IBM
Michael joined IBM full-time seven months ago after two years as a student intern on the IBM Z team. A computer science graduate from the University of Toronto, he helps organizations modernize their use of the mainframe.
Presentation highlights:
- How IBM watsonx Assistant for Z transforms mainframe interactions through AI
- Use of generative and agentic AI to simplify the user experience, regardless of skill level
- Demo: rapid translation of complex system data into clear, actionable insights
👉 Download the IBM presentation (PDF)
Thank you to all participants!
We would like to warmly thank the community, the experts from SUSE, NOVIPRO, and IBM, as well as all the professionals who attended this 2025 edition. Stay tuned for upcoming events dedicated to IBM Z and LinuxONE.
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