European Firms Seek New Ways to Modernize Mainframes

Europe’s mainframes are undergoing a significant transformation as enterprises pursue ways to more effectively integrate their legacy systems with emerging technologies, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a leading global technology research and advisory firm.

The 2024 ISG Provider Lens Mainframes – Services and Solutions report for Europe finds European enterprises are moving toward hybrid modernization strategies that strike a balance between maintaining mainframe robustness and leveraging cloud agility. Companies across the continent demand solutions that combine managed modernization, cloud migration and cost-effective optimization, the ISG report says.

“Some providers are taking an AI-first approach to mainframe modernization,” said Matthias Paletta, director, Technology Modernization, for ISG. “They are using the capabilities of GenAI to foster maintainable, object-oriented designs and boost developer productivity.”

This growing emphasis on automation, including leveraging AI and ML, signals a pivotal shift toward enhancing efficiency and precision in migration and testing processes, the ISG report says. The aim among providers is to go beyond employing GenAI for isolated innovations and to use it as a springboard for executing a transformative leap in mainframe modernization, the report says.

The strategic embrace of AI and automation technologies by providers and the pursuit of more intelligent, efficient modernization processes are indications of a deepening integration of cutting-edge technologies, the ISG report says. According to the report, there is a shared goal among providers to revolutionize efficiency and innovation in legacy systems transformation by strategically integrating GenAI in all aspects of the transition, from automated code conversion and enhanced testing protocols to data cleansing and post-migration optimization. High on the aspirational list for many providers is achieving near-perfect accuracy in language conversion efforts, ISG says. Ultimately, the goal is to fundamentally change how legacy systems are perceived, managed and evolved, the report says.