Three Keys to Enterprise IT Modernization

What makes IT modernization effective? For some, it’s all about implementing the latest and greatest tools, technologies, and processes into their IT environments as quickly as possible. But that approach alone does not ensure a smooth, successful, modernization journey. Modernization ultimately requires that all those technologies, processes, and tools be strategically aligned with the specific needs and goals of the business they are meant to support.

To better understand the state of IT modernization strategies centered around the mainframe, Rocket Software commissioned a 2024 survey from Forrester Consulting of over 300 global decision-makers who are responsible for modernizing their company’s IT environment. This survey explored current IT modernization strategies and the value that comes with engaging external partners.

So, how can a business determine what the right strategy is? How can a business effectively marry it with new technologies? The research reveals several trends and approaches to consider.

Let’s explore three of the most impactful findings.

Focus on IT resiliency, end-user experiences, and data access

It’s no secret that organizational transformation is vital to long-term success. But the path toward sustained transformation and modernization is full of potential for disruptions and obstacles. The survey findings showed that successful IT and infrastructure modernization strategies had a direct tie to both stronger technological and business outcomes such as greater data integration and market growth. With that in mind, what makes a modernization strategy successful to begin with?

Much of the answer lies within the resiliency of existing systems, their impact on the end-user, and how easily and securely data can be accessed across an organization. Among surveyed decision makers, three primary areas were identified as key drivers of IT modernization strategy. These were improving IT reliability and resiliency (53%), improving IT capabilities to enhance stakeholders' experience (51%), and improving access to insights to unlock the value of data (48%).

Tackle your toughest challenges head-on

Another key element to a successful modernization strategy is how an organization addresses challenges. For instance, throughout the modernization journey, organizations are often faced with the task of rewriting and modernizing applications, a costly and complicated process. And while Rocket Software’s survey found that just shy of one-fifth (18%) of IT modernization budgets were dedicated to rewrites and application modernization, 90% of rewrite projects don’t find success on the first try.

Even still, over half of decision-makers reported that they have attempted at least six re-write projects as part of their organization’s modernization strategy due to multiple failures. This speaks to just how critical these initiatives are to the larger modernization strategy and makes adopting the right technologies and tools – while also investing in and leveraging partnerships and improved processes – an essential piece of the modernization strategy puzzle.

Tap into the power of the partner ecosystem

IT modernization is a deeply complex process – does my strategy match the needs of my IT environment? Are my resources allocated correctly? What technologies should I be using? Do I have the capabilities in place to keep the modernization journey moving forward? All of these questions leave decision-makers with a mountain of possibilities and outcomes to consider. In an economic environment where the stakes are already so high, these leaders need to do everything in their power to ensure their strategy is effective.

In the face of that reality, those organizations must remember that they aren’t alone. There’s a robust ecosystem of partners out there that can provide solutions to help overcome internal shortcomings, offer new AI-powered capabilities, and integrate into existing IT modernization strategies. According to surveyed decision-makers, the primary reasons for engaging with external partners for IT modernization included the impact on customer experience or business goals (43%), employee resource availability or capacity (38%), delivering project and strategy outcomes on time (38%), limited ability to leverage data for actionable insights (36%), and ecosystem complexity (34%).

Ensuring your IT modernization strategy is making an impact and fostering business transformation is easier said than done. To be successful, organizations need a robust IT modernization strategy that capitalizes on new technologies and processes while also leveraging the power of external partners to help foster business transformation and scale for the future.

Learn more about what’s behind a successful IT modernization strategy, and read the full study.