Mainframe Services and Solutions

DXC is one of the world's largest independent mainframe service providers, with services covering the full lifecycle of enterprise mainframe management: run, optimize and modernize.

The managed infrastructure offering is built around three pillars. Mainframe Modernization transforms legacy applications through COBOL-to-Java conversion, containerization and API enablement. Mainframe as a Service (MFaaS) provides hosted, on-demand infrastructure on a pay-per-MIPS model. Managed Mainframe Services delivers 24/7 operations management with AI-driven monitoring and automated incident response. Organizations can choose one pillar or combine all three.

DXC delivers cost savings for mainframe environments through a combination of workload optimization, flexible commercial models and intelligent automation. Most customers see measurable results within 12 months.

The specifics depend on the engagement. MFaaS eliminates hardware CAPEX entirely by shifting to a consumption-based model and workload optimization reduces MIPS consumption. DXC's economies of scale on software licensing pass additional savings through to customers. DXC OASIS reduces operational overhead by automating routine tasks, predicting failures before they cause outages and correlating events across hybrid environments.

DXC is the only major independent provider that delivers mainframe modernization, mainframe hosting infrastructure and managed operations as a single integrated mainframe offering. That combination matters because most competitors specialize in one area or are tied to a specific vendor.

The biggest challenge is talent. The mainframe workforce is retiring faster than replacements are being trained, and finding skilled professionals has become the primary driver of outsourcing conversations. Organizations that depend on a handful of aging experts carry significant operational risk.

Cost pressure compounds the problem. MIPS overconsumption drives licensing costs up. Third-party software takes an ever-growing share of total cost of ownership. Hardware refresh cycles demand capital expenditure that finance teams struggle to justify.

Modernization adds a third layer of difficulty. COBOL-based applications need to connect with cloud architectures and modern APIs, but rewriting them risks the business-critical operations they support. Compliance obligations (HIPAA, FISMA, PCI, FFIEC) make any change more complex and vendor lock-in with single-source providers limits the strategic options available.

Cost reduction is typically the first measurable outcome. DXC customers achieve savings through workload optimization, licensing efficiencies and operational automation, and MIPS consumption drops.

Reliability outcomes follow. DX OASIS detects and resolves incidents before they affect business operations.

Three forces are converging. The mainframe workforce is aging out, with retirements outpacing new talent entering the field. At the same time, digital transformation programs require mainframe data and transactions to connect with cloud services, mobile applications and partner APIs. And the mainframe services market itself is growing.

Organizations are also rethinking cost structures. Hardware refresh cycles and MIPS-based licensing create unpredictable cost spikes that CFOs want to flatten. Consumption models like MFaaS offer a way to shift from CAPEX to predictable OPEX.

The practical trigger is often a specific event: a data center consolidation, an M&A transaction requiring system integration, a new compliance mandate or a hardware end-of-life deadline. These events force decisions that have been deferred for years.

Start with independence. Providers locked into a single vendor ecosystem will steer recommendations toward that vendor's products. An independent provider like DXC can evaluate whether modernization, managed services, hosted infrastructure or a combination delivers the best outcome for your specific situation.

Look at breadth of capability. A provider that only offers managed operations cannot help when you need to modernize legacy applications. A modernization specialist may lack the operational depth for 24/7 management. The strongest providers cover the full lifecycle.

Verify scale and track record with specific numbers. How many mainframes do they operate? How many mainframe migrations have they completed? What uptime SLAs do they commit to?

Finally, ask about proprietary technology. Tools like DXC OASIS provide capabilities that generic staffing and process approaches cannot replicate.