Mainframe-as-a-service (MFaaS) is a subscription model that addresses the challenges provided by an aging mainframe while also providing flexibility and scalability for future growth. Such solutions enable the standardization of application languages and databases and the use of open-source software.
Mainframe systems combine powerful hardware, software tools and large, individually developed programs that are difficult to upgrade. However, many businesses are still hesitant to entirely abandon mainframes. As a result, they may prefer outsourcing or pay-as-you-go (PAYG) techniques to enable mainframes as a service, allowing them to operate legacy applications in cloud-like mainframe data centers.
MFaaS services must include facilities, hardware, connectivity, mainframe network administration, operating system and subsystems, licensing and tools. It must also provide all maintenance services required to keep workloads operating and satisfy the expected performance metrics defined in advance.
What are the benefits of MFaaS?
Managed service provider and technology advisor Ensono lists the following benefits of MFaaS.
- Lower costs: MFaaS converts the mainframe cost from a capital budget expense to an operational expense, freeing up funds and personnel to support other initiatives.
- Scale and flexibility: With MFaaS, capacity may be increased or decreased, and prices will be lowered as less resources are needed.
- Lower latency: Moving a mainframe out of the data center and into a data center closer to the public cloud allows for low-latency connectivity, which optimizes application design and creates a smooth path to the cloud.
- Maintenance and upgrades: Costs are restricted to computing and storage use, excluding maintenance and infrastructure improvements.
- Disaster recovery continuity: MFaas users benefit from decreased downtime in the event of a mainframe failure, ensuring that systems are available in the event of a disaster.
MFaaS is typically delivered in the provider's data centers, but colocation partners are also considered as long as the MFaaS provides a cloud-like experience; clients should not be required to examine and audit the underlying infrastructure.
For a cloud-like experience, the service provider offers clients a self-service portal that includes comprehensive service catalogs encompassing approval workflows, security, compliance, and automated service delivery, allowing them to increase and decrease usage.
Typically, service providers offer application migration services to clients during the onboarding process. The migration may entail application modernization and operating system changes to operate client workloads on a shared mainframe environment.
Why is MFaaS important?
For firms that handle large amounts of transactions nothing beats the power and security of mainframe computing.
However, increased expenses and a diminishing talent pool might be a challenge. Digital transformation has pushed businesses to become more flexible in their response to market changes. The cloud delivers features such as cloud-native AI, serverless computing, databases as a service, and several software-as-a-service choices. These firms have two options to boost their performance. They can either relocate their traditional apps to the cloud or modernize them using APIs, microservices, and DevOps.
Who are the MFaaS providers?
According to ISG, the overall MFaaS market opportunity and the number of companies offering MFaaS expanded dramatically in 2023. Furthermore, MFaaS providers report an increase in requests for information and requests for proposals.
Among the 56 companies assessed by ISG, the firm mentions the following leaders in MFaaS: Cognizant, DXC Technology, Ensono, and Kyndryl