Mainframe modernization that meets you where you are

Every business is unique in its approach to technology modernization. Likewise, the reasons behind initiating a modernization strategy will vary from business to business. However, a few key drivers have emerged as a common thread between businesses.

In a recent Rocket Software survey, commissioned by Forrester Consulting, the top three drivers for IT modernization were improving IT reliability and resilience (53%), improving IT capabilities to enhance stakeholders’ experience (51%), and improving access to insights to unlock the value of data (48%).

Whatever the reason, a modernization journey is a serious endeavor that can take up considerable effort and time. Rocket Software’s survey found that 74% of respondents have been on their IT modernization journey for more than a year. As they look to move their modernization initiatives forward, IT professionals shouldn’t feel like they need to take five steps backward or skip five steps forward to make a modernization solution work for them.

Whether it’s a cloud migration, existing mainframe systems, or a hybrid environment, successful modernization requires a technology partner capable of meeting you wherever you are on that journey.

Let’s examine what this looks like across organizations and how the right partner can transform the modernization journey.

Navigating modernization in any environment

The path toward modernization itself can take shape in a number of different ways. For example, one organization might decide they need to be heavily invested in cloud infrastructure to be able to scale up or down quickly, while another may have mission-critical systems tied to the mainframe that necessitate a hybrid strategy. Whatever the environment looks like, IT decision-makers must weigh the benefits of each destination and move quickly.

The mainframe houses some of the most sensitive, yet critical, historical data for organizations, and is estimated to be responsible for processing nearly 70% of enterprise workloads. So many organizations choose to rely on mainframe systems because of those workloads and their ability to handle a high volume of transactional data. On top of that, mainframe systems also keep that data secure and governed in a single setting versus a multitude of environments. Cloud, on the other hand, brings its own advantages to the modernization journey. Bringing data into a cloud environment can make it easier to tap into the full power of AI and analytical models, generating deeper business insights and uncovering new market opportunities.

The road to modernization isn’t a binary choice between cloud and mainframe systems though. Adopting a hybrid approach is also a popular strategy, giving businesses the perfect blend of both. In this setting, organizations can opt to modernize in place, preserving existing systems and processes that have taken years to establish while ensuring the treasure trove of historical data that lives on the mainframe can be securely leveraged for other initiatives.

Whatever the approach, each business needs a partner that can support its unique journey.

Mapping out the modernization journey

Every modernization journey plays out differently. Regardless, businesses must get their approach right. Nearly half (44%) of survey respondents stated that IT modernization challenges have led to delayed timelines and one-third said that these problems resulted in reduced productivity.

So, how can an organization know whether a technology partner is equipped to meet their needs or not? The right partner will deliver solutions that add value to existing systems while enabling modernization initiatives to thrive. With a trusted modernization partner, these organizations can tap into the tools to stay competitive by leveraging their data, applications, and infrastructure.

For instance, Rocket Software has extensive solutions that will help clients to modernize the existing mainframes in place.  We also have solutions like Rocket Software’s Rocket® Enterprise Suite and Rocket® COBOL that enable enterprises to run business applications written in COBOL and PL/I coding languages in the cloud. We also help enterprises that need to run hybrid, with some workloads in place on the mainframe, while others will run on the cloud. This expands the capabilities of organizations by adding a new dimension to the ability to run workflows and distribute data wherever they prefer and empowers the mobile workforce to work from anywhere.

Whichever path they choose, and wherever they are on their journey, mainframe modernization solutions can take enterprises to the next level, preparing them for the technologies of tomorrow. These solutions allow organizations to update applications and architecture incrementally, rather than making sudden and expensive replacements. These solutions will meet enterprises on whichever road they choose to go down.

Learn more about mainframe modernization with Rocket Software