About TurboHercules

TurboHercules is the first commercial entity exclusively dedicated to Hercules, the well-known open source software implementation of the IBM mainframe architecture.

Hercules is a computer program which permits anyone to run mainframe software on their own personal computer, without having access to an expensive mainframe. Hercules is particularly useful for software developers who can use it to create, test, and maintain software designed to run on IBM mainframe computers. Hercules is also useful for training mainframe programmers and operators, where students can be given their own mainframe environment on a PC, on which they can experiment freely without any risk of disrupting their company’s production mainframe system.

Hercules is an open-source program, which means that its authors permit anyone to download, use, and customize the program without payment, but without any guarantee of support or warranty. Typical users tend to be enthusiasts who are willing to devote time and effort into learning how to set up the program and make it work.

TurboHercules addresses a different category of user: the corporate or educational institution which simply wants a low-cost platform for running mainframe software, without having to become Hercules experts.

The mission of TurboHercules is to provide commercial-grade support, training, consulting and custom solutions to enterprises and educational institutions using or evaluating Hercules. In particular, TurboHercules is specialising in mainframe disaster recovery solutions, as outlined on our DR Solutions page.

Founders

Roger Bowler, Co-founder
Roger created the Hercules mainframe emulator in 1999. He lives in Paris, France where he works as a senior mainframe developer and z systems operator. He serves as the company’s technical visionary and its liaison with the Hercules open source project.

Bill Miller, Co-founder
Bill has run his own software development and professional services company for the past ten years specializing in cross-platform interoperability. Bill is responsible for the company’s business development function and marketing communications.

Tom Lehmann, Co-founder
Tom brings to TurboHercules decades of experience gained as a manager at Intel Corporation. Tom fulfils the product management and technical marketing functions and provides the primary interface with customers.

Paul Gorlinsky, Co-founder
Paul also brings decades of experience in IBM mainframe data centre management, systems programming and project management of customer solutions. Paul is our Director, Customer Solutions related to TurboHercules Disaster Recovery solutions.

Bernard van der Helm, Co-founder
Bernard has been an important contributor to the Hercules open source community since 2000 and lives in The Netherlands. Bernard has over 20 years’ experience as a mainframe systems programmer, mainframe infrastructure architect and application architect.