Connecting the Mainframe to the Web: Sebastian Dewar’s Vision for Accessible Modernization

This piece is part of the 2026 Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframers series.

For Sebastian Dewar, modernization is about access.

As CTO of Virtel, Dewar has focused his work on one of the most practical challenges facing the mainframe: how to make its capabilities more accessible to modern users and applications without disrupting the systems that organizations rely on. His approach centers on bridging the gap between traditional mainframe environments and web-based interfaces, enabling organizations to extend the value of their existing systems.

That focus reflects a broader philosophy. Rather than viewing modernization as replacement, Dewar emphasizes integration—connecting the reliability and processing power of the mainframe with the usability and flexibility expected in today’s digital environments.

His work has consistently aligned with that goal. Through the development and evolution of Virtel’s solutions, he has helped organizations deliver browser-based access to mainframe applications, reducing barriers for both users and developers while preserving the integrity of core systems. This approach allows enterprises to modernize the user experience without the cost and risk of large-scale rewrites.

Dewar’s influence extends beyond technology into how organizations think about modernization itself. His perspective highlights the importance of pragmatic solutions—approaches that deliver immediate value while supporting long-term transformation. By focusing on usability and accessibility, he helps organizations move forward incrementally, rather than through disruptive change.

At the same time, his work contributes to a broader shift in how the mainframe is positioned within the enterprise. By enabling seamless interaction between web technologies and mainframe systems, he supports a model where the platform is fully integrated into modern IT architectures rather than isolated from them.

This emphasis on connection—between systems, users, and technologies—has made his work particularly relevant as organizations continue to balance stability with innovation.

As the mainframe ecosystem evolves, that balance becomes increasingly important. Dewar’s contributions demonstrate that modernization does not require abandoning what works, but instead finding ways to extend it, adapt it, and make it more accessible to the people who rely on it.

As a 2026 Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframer, Sebastian Dewar is helping connect the mainframe to the modern enterprise—making it more accessible, usable, and ready for what comes next.