Analyst Report

EMA Research: Modernizing Mainframe Applications. Strategies, Tools, and Insights for a Digital Future

In a landscape where digital transformation is often equated with cloud-first strategies, mainframes remain a cornerstone of enterprise IT. This research carried out by Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) reveals that rather than fading away, the role of the mainframe is expanding. The report explores how organizations are integrating these critical systems with hybrid and cloud-native environments to drive innovation, security, and operational resilience.

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What You’ll Learn From This Research

  • The Expanding Role of Mainframes: Why 47% of organizations anticipate an increasing role for their mainframes over the next 5-10 years, driven by the need for unparalleled scalability and security.​

  • Hybrid & Cloud Integration Strategies: How the "Extend" strategy is enabling enterprises to integrate mainframes with distributed and cloud systems, maintaining operational functionality while supporting digital transformation.​

  • Modernization in Place: Insights into why "Modernize in Place" remains the most prevalent long-term strategy, with 79% of respondents achieving or exceeding expectations by optimizing applications on the platform.​

  • The Impact of AI: How the integration of AI is extending mainframe capabilities, helping organizations overcome complexity and bridge the skills gap.​

Who Should Read This Report?

  • CIOs and IT Executives balancing the dual mandates of innovation and system stability.

  • Mainframe and Infrastructure Leaders looking to validate modernization strategies and investment priorities.

  • Digital Transformation Strategists seeking best practices for integrating legacy systems into modern hybrid architectures.

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Gain strategic insights into the future of the mainframe and its vital role in the hybrid enterprise. Learn how leading organizations are leveraging modernization strategies to turn their most reliable assets into engines for digital future growth.

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Further Resources

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7 Best Batch Processing Software for Enterprise Applications

You need batch processing software that completes every job within the batch window across mainframe, SAP, and cloud. Yet one batch chain rarely stays on one system, and windows slip at the handoffs. When you need to migrate batch workloads, judge platforms by how far their dependencies reach and how vendors convert job definitions and calendars from your current scheduler. Here are the 7 platforms worth a shortlist.
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5 Best Stonebranch Alternatives for Automation in 2026

Stonebranch’s Universal Automation Center (UAC) has built a solid reputation as a modern, event-driven workload automation platform, and for many enterprise IT teams, it does the job well. But no single platform fits every environment, budget, or migration timeline, and if you’re reading this, you're probably already comparing what else is out there. Whether you’re evaluating a first workload automation purchase or replacing a legacy scheduler and want to weigh Stonebranch against the rest of the field, this guide breaks down the five strongest Stonebranch alternatives for 2026.
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Successful Workload Automation Migration: Approaches, Risks and Practical Lessons

Are you considering moving from your current scheduler or workload automation platform? In this webinar on demand, Adam Timle and Ariel Kenneth Ampol share practical guidance for planning and delivering a successful migration. Learn how to identify risks early, minimize disruption and manage the transition to a modern automation environment with confidence.