Precisely expands mainframe offerings through DTS acquisition
Precisely is signaling a renewed focus on its mainframe heritage with the acquisition of DTS Software, a company known for its mainframe storage optimization tools. While Precisely has broadened its offerings to include cloud and hybrid data environments, this move highlights a continued commitment to supporting the large organizations that still rely heavily on mainframe infrastructure.
“The addition of DTS Software to Precisely is a strategic step in expanding our mainframe optimization offerings and expertise,” said Josh Rogers, CEO, Precisely. “This acquisition reinforces our commitment to providing complete solutions that ensure data integrity across every stage of an organization’s data journey. DTS’s technologies are a natural fit with our IBM mainframe solutions that enable enterprises to drive new levels of efficiency while meeting the demands of data-driven decision-making.”
DTS Software brings long-standing experience in managing and automating storage systems for sectors like banking, insurance, and retail—industries where mainframes remain central to day-to-day operations. By integrating DTS’s technology, Precisely strengthens its ability to help these organizations maintain performance and efficiency without needing to overhaul their core systems.
“Joining Precisely opens an exciting new chapter for DTS,” said Mati Szeszkowski, Founder & CEO, Norland Capital and DTS Software investor. “We are united by a shared commitment to empowering enterprises with tools that simplify the complexities of managing data. For the thousands of leading enterprises that run on mainframes, this means providing highly differentiated solutions for efficiently navigating the challenges of rapid data growth and evolving infrastructure requirements.”
With mainframe usage holding steady—and even expected to increase in some organizations, according to a 2024 Forrester report—Precisely’s acquisition reinforces the company’s position in a space where reliability and continuity are strategically imperative.
Source: PR Newswire
Wüstenrot transforms IT with Kyndryl’s mainframe modernization services
Wüstenrot Gruppe, a major Austrian financial services provider, has partnered with IT infrastructure company Kyndryl to modernize its mainframe systems. The collaboration is part of Wüstenrot’s broader digital transformation efforts, aimed at improving service quality, operational efficiency, and compliance with evolving European regulations like DORA and NIS2.
“We are partnering with Kyndryl to modernize our IT infrastructure with the aim to further develop our product portfolio, scale efficiently and continue our digital innovation initiatives,” said Roland Freitag, Managing Director, Wüstenrot Gruppe. “By working with Kyndryl, we are strengthening our digital interfaces, improving the quality of our services and partnerships and ensuring that Wüstenrot Gruppe remains a major force contributing to a stable and innovative Austrian financial services sector.”
As part of the initiative, Wüstenrot has already migrated its core workloads to Kyndryl’s secure zCloud platform—a flexible, scalable environment designed for high availability and strong cybersecurity. The next step, planned for 2025, involves implementing a Parallel Sysplex configuration to enhance system resiliency and data sharing across platforms.
The partnership reflects a growing trend in financial services: using modern IT infrastructure to strengthen digital capabilities and stay competitive.The 2024 Kyndryl Readiness Report showed that organizations embracing such changes are seeing boosts in efficiency (85%), innovation (71%), and employee or customer experience (60%), along with strong returns on investment.
Source: Kyndryl
Fifty-year-old Unisys mainframe causes major disruption for Louisiana OMV
Louisiana is currently struggling through an ongoing crisis at the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), a situation that serves as a cautionary tale of chronically delayed IT modernization. For years, state officials have discussed replacing the OMV’s aging mainframe, yet modernization efforts have repeatedly stalled—leaving the department dependent on a Unysis mainframe that is more than 50 years old.
The outdated system has become increasingly unreliable, frequently crashing and causing widespread service disruptions. OMV offices have been forced to close or delay operations, leaving staff unable to process driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, or reinstatement transactions. In response, Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency, temporarily suspending fines for expired licenses and calling for swift corrective action.
The executive order emphasizes that the current system is running out of capacity, and struggles to handle high transaction volumes.
“The Office of Motor Vehicles continually experiences issues with searches for VIN numbers, driver’s license numbers, and license plates,” the order notes. “During periods of high transaction volume, the mainframe frequently enters a suspended state as it struggles to keep up with demand.”
“The current mainframe lacks redundancies, leaving the system vulnerable to disruptions… the current mainframe is out of space for new license plates, new indicators on driver’s licenses, and new flags on driver’s licenses.”
While plans to upgrade the system date back to at least 2018—including a proposed migration to an IBM mainframe by 2025—implementation has lagged behind.
Louisiana’s experience reflects a broader issue facing many public agencies. When outdated infrastructure is allowed to persist without modernization for too long, the result isn’t just technical debt—it’s real-world disruption to essential public services.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator
Sonja Soderlund is an Oregon-based B2B freelance writer. Whether writing about mainframe computers, educational technology, or sustainable retail, she strives to bring clarity to complex issues. Connect with her at sonjasoderlund.com or LinkedIn.