AI to Mainframe Modernization, Shaping the Future of Enterprise Computing, and more

U.S. Public Sector Applies AI to Mainframe Modernization

An ISG Provider Lens® report for the U.S. Public Sector finds that agencies are rethinking mainframe strategies as pandemic-era funding ends and mainframe responsibilities shift to smaller internal teams. AI is helping to boost efficiency and cut costs.

“AI is helping public-sector organizations address longstanding mainframe challenges while preventing disruption of essential government services,” said Nathan Frey, ISG partner and lead, U.S. Public Sector. “It enables new strategies for extending the useful lives of critical systems while improving operational efficiency.”

U.S. public agencies seeking mainframe modernization are using AI to document legacy applications and extract business rules, helping them understand complex systems maintained for decades by staff who are now retiring. This reduces reliance on scarce expertise, eases maintenance, and lowers training requirements for new staff.

Many organizations are adopting targeted modernization strategies focused on business outcomes, deciding which applications to keep on mainframes, integrate with cloud environments, or retire. Secure APIs are connecting mainframes to cloud platforms, improving flexibility while maintaining strict security requirements.

Cost pressures and evolving security risks are also shaping decisions. Agencies are embracing hybrid architectures and selectively offshoring non-sensitive workloads, while modern technologies like microservices and DevOps help preserve control over sensitive data amid growing cybersecurity threats.

“Public sector organizations are facing a disruptive funding environment and shrinking technical expertise,” said Peter Crocker, lead author of the report. “Service providers and AI offer a lifeline to help agencies avoid failures of their mission-critical systems.”

Source: Business Wire

IBM Announces Strategic Collaboration with Arm to Shape the Future of Enterprise Computing

IBM has announced a strategic collaboration with Arm to develop new dual‑architecture hardware that helps enterprises run future AI and data-intensive workloads with greater flexibility, reliability, and security.

Through this collaboration, IBM and Arm aim to extend IBM’s track record of innovation by combining IBM’s enterprise leadership in systems reliability, security, and scalability with Arm’s own leadership in power‑efficient architecture, workload enablement expertise, and broad software ecosystem, to build flexible and scalable computing platforms for the future.

“This collaboration is a natural extension of IBM’s leadership in hardware and systems innovation,” said Tina Tarquinio, Chief Product Officer, IBM Z and LinuxONE. “Our aim is to expand software choice and improve system performance while maintaining the reliability and security our clients expect.”

A Collaboration Designed for What’s Next

The collaboration is focused on three key areas.

• Expanded virtualization: IBM and Arm are exploring how to expand virtualization technologies that allow Arm-based software environments to operate within IBM’s enterprise computing platforms, expanding software compatibility and streamlining how developers bring Arm applications into mission-critical environments.
• Enterprise-grade performance and security: The companies are developing new ways to support the demands of modern AI and data-intensive workloads while meeting high-availability, security, and data sovereignty requirements. The work includes enabling enterprise systems to recognize and execute Arm applications, to help Arm-based environments align with the reliability, security, and operational requirements enterprises need.
• Long-term ecosystem growth: By creating shared technology layers between platforms, IBM and Arm aim to open broader software ecosystems and give enterprises greater flexibility in how applications are deployed. This approach could give enterprises more choice, positioning them to adopt new applications and architectures while continuing to leverage their existing investments.

“IBM’s defining role in shaping enterprise infrastructure spans decades, showcasing the breadth and commitment required to support our clients’ most intensive and sensitive workloads,” said Christian Jacobi, Chief Technology Officer and IBM Fellow, IBM Systems Development. “This moment marks the latest step in our innovation journey for future generations of our IBM Z and LinuxONE systems, reinforcing our end-to-end system design as a powerful advantage.”

Source: IBM

21CS Establishes Strategic Partnership with Interskill Learning

21st Century Software Technologies, Inc. (21CS) has announced a new strategic partnership with Interskill Learning, a global leader in IBM Z mainframe workforce training. This collaboration combines 21CS’s mainframe software expertise with Interskill’s industry-recognized mainframe education, helping organizations build, modernize, and sustain critical IBM Z skills across their teams.

“Many customers across the mainframe ecosystem are feeling the pressure to modernize while also building the next generation of talent,” says Eddy Ciliendo, CEO of 21CS. “By partnering with Interskill Learning, we’re ensuring our customers have access not only to our innovative software, but also the high‑quality training to fully leverage it. This partnership underscores our commitment to the long‑term vitality of the IBM Z ecosystem.”

This collaboration underscores 21CS’s commitment to building mainframe talent. As part of the partnership, 21CS will provide subject matter expertise to create a new VSEⁿ‑based learning path and expanded education for the 21CS z/OS software portfolio, empowering customers with up‑to‑date, practical training aligned with real‑world operational needs.

“Having an optimally skilled and industry credentialed mainframe team is essential to a mainframe organization’s success,” says Darren Surch, CEO of Interskill Learning. “Our mission is to enable mainframe teams with the skills, confidence, and credentials they need to thrive. Partnering with 21CS allows us to extend that mission even further by bringing workforce‑scale, role‑based IBM Z education to organizations that are rapidly modernizing.”

Together, 21CS and Interskill Learning will deliver integrated training and technology solutions that help enterprises adopt new capabilities, transition to modern workflows, and support the evolving needs of hybrid IT environments.

Source: Newswire

IBM Expands FedRAMP Portfolio with Authorization of 11 Software Solutions, Including watsonx 

IBM has announced that 11 of its artificial intelligence (AI) and automation software solutions — including several products from the watsonx portfolio — have received Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) authorization. These authorizations were made possible through IBM’s strategic collaboration agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which includes investment to speed the delivery of AI and automation solutions for federal agencies. The 11 solutions are deployed exclusively on AWS GovCloud (U.S.), giving agencies secure access to these capabilities without having to manage the underlying infrastructure, and while meeting government compliance requirements.

“Federal agencies need reliable, secure ways to harness the power of advanced AI and automation capabilities,” said Vanessa Hunt, General Manager, Technology, U.S. Federal Market, IBM. “Obtaining authorization for these 11 software solutions within a single year constitutes a four-fold increase in IBM’s FedRAMP portfolio, and underscores both our commitment to meeting the evolving technology needs of U.S. federal agencies and our ongoing investment in the U.S. federal market.” 

“This strategic collaboration with IBM marks a significant milestone in our shared commitment to delivering secure, mission-ready AI solutions for federal agencies,” said Amy Belcher, Director, Worldwide Public Sector ISV Sales, AWS. 

IBM has partnered with the U.S. federal government for more than a century, delivering technologies that have supported moments of profound transformation while prioritizing safety and security. From the first computerized census to space exploration, IBM has helped agencies address some of the nation’s most complex challenges. This latest FedRAMP achievement builds on that legacy, reflecting how IBM, with strategic collaborators like AWS, can deliver secure AI, automation, and hybrid‑cloud capabilities that support mission‑driven transformation at scale.

Source: IBM

Adaptigent Report: Modernization Without Migration available through API Integration and Governance

Adaptigent’s new report “Modernization without Migration” shows how API-led integration, governance, and AI enable enterprises to modernize mainframe and core systems without wholesale replacement, delivering up to 30% cost reduction and 288–362% ROI. 

Highlights:

• Adaptigent has published a new thought leadership report titled “Modernization without Migration: How API Integration, Governance, and AI Support Enterprise and Mainframe Modernization.”
• The report emphasizes that successful modernization relies on integration discipline, governed data access, and architectural flexibility rather than full system replacement.
• Integration-led approaches deliver measurable outcomes, including a 30% reduction in operating costs and ROI ranging from 288% to 362%.
• Nearly 8 in 10 organizations are actively advancing digital transformation, yet nearly 50% cite system integration as a primary barrier.
• The framework focuses on API-led integration, orchestrated workflows, runtime governance, and real-time access to authoritative system-of-record data.
• Real-world examples from financial services, insurance, and transportation demonstrate faster transaction processing, stronger compliance, and improved digital service delivery.

Source: EIN News