ISG Provider Lens® Focal Points - Mainframe Services and Solutions - Global 2026

How to Get the Most Value from the ISG Provider Lens® Mainframe Services and Solutions 2026 (U.S./Global).

Mainframes remain one of the most resilient and mission-critical computing platforms in the enterprise landscape; however, the strategic debate around them is shifting. As organizations reassess their application portfolios in the context of cloud adoption, automation and GenAI, CIOs increasingly face a fundamental choice: modernize and optimize the mainframe as a long-term platform or strategically reduce dependency by moving selected workloads elsewhere. Pedro M. Bicudo, Distinguished Analyst and the author of the ISG Provider Lens® Mainframe Services and Solutions 2026 — Global/U.S. report, highlights how these two paths are evolving and where service providers are differentiating. While the U.S. remains the largest mainframe market, enterprises worldwide are reassessing cost structures, operational complexity and modernization options. Understanding the trade-offs between retention and exit strategies is now essential for CIOs seeking to modernize application portfolios without compromising performance, resilience or control.