Insightful Reports on Mainframe Services by ISG
Information Services Group (ISG) is launching a transformative research study aimed at assessing service providers that assist enterprises in upgrading and maintaining their mainframe computing environments. This study is timely as businesses increasingly seek ways to modernize and leverage their mainframe systems efficiently.
Focus of Upcoming Reports
The outcome of the study will be published in a series of detailed ISG Provider Lens™ reports untitled Mainframes – Services and Solutions 2025. These comprehensive reports are scheduled for release in the near future. They will explore key areas including mainframe optimization services, outsourcing options, Mainframe as a Service (MFaaS), and the support required for moving applications to the cloud.
Empowering Enterprise Buyers
These reports will be invaluable for enterprise buyers, as they will provide insights that can aid in evaluating current vendor relationships and exploring new offerings. Moreover, ISG's advisors will utilize the findings to guide their clients in selecting the most appropriate providers to meet their needs.
Accelerated Demand for Modernization
The last two years have seen a significant surge in the demand for modernization, driven primarily by generative AI (GenAI) solutions that require access to mainframe data. Businesses are actively seeking to modernize their mainframe operations to mitigate technical debt, embrace AI advancements, enhance business analytics capabilities, and ensure compliance across various regulations.
Market Trends Drivers
As organizations face mounting pressures from new automation and GenAI capabilities as well as carbon neutrality mandates, they are rethinking their data center strategies. According to Heiko Henkes, managing director at ISG Provider Lens, solutions like mainframe outsourcing and MFaaS are becoming preferred options to cut IT expenses while enhancing automation and optimizing performance. These strategies also aid in the smooth integration of hybrid cloud environments.
Thorough Evaluation of Providers
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the service landscape, ISG has distributed surveys among more than 140 mainframe product and service providers. In collaboration with ISG’s experienced global advisors, the research team will develop five quadrants that will illustrate typical enterprise purchases of mainframe support services based on extensive client interactions. The quadrants include:
- Mainframe Optimization Services – This quadrant evaluates providers that offer mainframe modernization while preserving legacy programming languages, like COBOL, and optimizing cost and performance.
- Mainframe-as-a-Service (MFaaS) – This will assess infrastructure service providers that provide access to shared IBM mainframes through pay-per-use models.
- Mainframe Operations – This category analyzes traditional outsourcing providers that possess substantial experience with both legacy and new mainframe technologies.
- Mainframe Application Modernization Software – This quadrant will examine software vendors involved in assessing and transforming mainframe applications through various methods like re-platforming and rehosting.
- Application Modernization Services – Focusing on service providers that employ advanced methodologies to rewrite legacy applications.
Global Market Insights
The reports will also have a geographical focus, providing insights into the global mainframe services market and examining products and services across various regions, including the U.S., Europe, and Brazil. Leading the research efforts will be ISG analysts Pedro L. Bicudo Maschio and Oliver Nickels, who will serve as the report's primary authors.
Additional Reports and Insights
Besides the main report, ISG is also preparing the U.S. Public Sector Mainframes — Services and Solutions 2025 report. This focused document will highlight providers experienced in delivering mainframe modernization solutions tailored for state, local, and educational sectors.
Customer Experience and Feedback
All evaluations in the 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ series will feature enhanced customer experience (CX) data, capturing actual enterprise interactions with specific provider services. Enterprise customers are encouraged to contribute by sharing their experiences, which could lead them to receive personalized survey URLs in exchange for their feedback.
About ISG Provider Lens Research
The ISG Provider Lens™ Quadrant research initiative represents a unique combination of data-driven research and market analysis integrated with real-world insights from ISG’s advisory team. Enterprises will find meticulous information that assists them in selecting appropriate sourcing partners. The reports also serve to validate the market knowledge of ISG advisors, further aiding their enterprise clients in making informed decisions.
About ISG
Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III) is recognized as a global leader in technology research and advisory services. With a proven track record, ISG partners with more than 900 clients, including over 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises. The firm specializes in various digital transformation services such as AI, cloud technologies, and data analytics, and offers comprehensive advisory services across numerous sectors globally. Established in 2006 and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG boasts a robust team of over 1,600 digital-ready professionals active in more than 20 countries, renowned for their innovative approaches and deep industry expertise. For further information regarding their services, visit their website.