A number of recent trends have prompted companies to start looking for appropriate mainframe environment alternatives. Firstly, operating costs look increasingly expensive when compared to alternative open platforms. Mainframe environments also greatly restrict the use of open source technologies, while there is a growing shortage of mainframe specialists on the job market. Last but not least, the dependence on one mainframe supplier further enhances the pressing need of companies to revisit their mainframe strategy.

A thorough analysis is key when modernizing a company’s mainframe environment becomes a potential strategic option. This analysis examines various aspects of the set-up, like the terms of existing ESSO (Enterprise Software and Service Option) or OIO (Open Infrastructure Offering) contracts, the size and complexity of the application portfolio, the kind of licenses used, etc. The results add to the assessment whether a modernization should rewrite existing applications (re-design) or whether it is more appropriate transferring the application code 1:1 to a new platform (re-hosting).

In the past, numerous re-hosting projects have successfully transferred “mission-critical” applications to open source platforms, whilst maintaining manageable and controllable risks. Analogous to any critical engineering venture, the success is largely determined by the quality and structure of the project planning phase.

As a management consultancy with a focus on IT-management and the financial industry, METIS has gathered profound industry insights about the challenges that an efficient and effective modernization of mainframe environments entails. Our methodology, project experience and domain know-how helped us to serve our clients in all phases of revisiting their mainframe strategy:

Dr. Thomas Ruppelt
Phone:          +49 89-520389-27
Telefax:        +49 89-520389-29
Email:            t.ruppelt@metis-mc.com