Who’s got the skills to maintain your mainframe software?

Mainframes remain mission-critical for the world’s largest organizations. With unmatched security, processing power, and reliability, they continue to anchor enterprise IT strategies. In fact, 71% of Fortune 500 companies still run their businesses on mainframes.

But maintaining mainframes isn’t just about the hardware — it’s about the software. These systems run a wide variety of applications that require constant attention, updates, and security oversight. That work demands specialized expertise, and finding the right skills is becoming one of the biggest challenges enterprises face today.

A concerning shortage of mainframe expertise

“93% of respondents say it is ‘moderately’ to ‘extremely challenging’ to acquire the right mainframe skills and resources.” – Forrester

When organizations need urgent help with a technical issue or security threat, they often discover that their vendor support teams aren’t equipped to respond effectively. Response times are slow, resolutions can be incomplete, and customers are left exposed.

The root cause? A shortage of skilled technical experts who understand the full complexity of enterprise software — especially older or “legacy” solutions that remain essential to business operations. The few experts still inside vendor organizations are stretched too thin, making it nearly impossible to deliver timely, consistent support.

Where have the experts gone?

It might seem surprising that major software vendors like IBM don’t have the right mix of expertise in their support teams. The reality is that many of the most experienced professionals have left. Some retired, while others were made redundant as vendors shifted focus toward newer technologies and cloud services. In fact, IBM was reported to have encouraged older, more experienced workers — nicknamed “dinobabies” — to leave the company.

The good news? These experts are still out there — and Origina knows where to find them. We’ve built a team of more than 600 independent IBM® software specialists who bring decades of experience. Many of them even wrote the original code they now support. That depth of knowledge is what enterprises need most: reliable, hands-on expertise to keep mission-critical systems performing at their best.

You have a choice in how you support your mainframe software

Third-party mainframe software maintenance is a proven way to regain access to the skills you need, while unlocking greater flexibility and control over your IT strategy.

Origina started by supporting IBM® Passport Advantage products on distributed systems. Today, our offering extends to Z series mainframes as well — giving customers a trusted partner for the full IBM® estate. Working with us means you’re not locked into a single support model. You get access to experts who know your software inside out and a partner who takes the time to understand your unique business environment.

At the start of each new relationship, Origina conducts a detailed assessment of your IBM® landscape — reviewing products, licenses, contracts, and entitlements. From there, we align with your business priorities, compliance requirements, and long-term roadmap. This consultative approach creates the foundation for deeper partnerships, including support for modernization and migration projects.

Beyond survival: resilience, compliance, and long-term value

The advantage of partnering with independent experts goes far beyond simply “keeping the lights on.” With Origina, organizations:

• Gain direct access to rare mainframe skills that vendors no longer provide.
• Improve resilience with faster, more reliable support.
• Strengthen compliance by ensuring older systems remain secure.
• Build a strategic path for modernization without being forced into premature upgrades.

Alongside these outcomes, Origina also helps you manage cost pressures. By moving away from rigid vendor support contracts, you gain predictability and flexibility — freeing resources that can be reinvested into innovation and growth. Savings are part of the story, but they are the result of a smarter, skills-led approach to software maintenance.

Boost your mainframe maintenance capabilities with Origina

If you’re ready to close your IT talent gap and explore a more effective way to maintain your IBM® software, let’s plan an introductory call. Our team of independent experts is ready to help your business get more from its mainframe investments — today and into the future.