Modernizing mainframe operations for a Europe-based global manufacturer

Improving operational efficiency while reducing total cost of ownership

Published: 17 October 2026

Last updated: 17 October 2026

Overview
The Challenge
The Objective
The Solution
The Impact

Overview

A very large Europe-based global manufacturer operates across 18 countries, serves customers in more than 190 markets and employs over 95,000 people. The company relies on a large and complex mainframe environment to support its global manufacturing operations.

To improve operational efficiency and simplify mainframe management, the client partnered with HCLTech to implement a Mainframe as a Service (MFaaS) model. The engagement helped standardize service delivery, modernize the infrastructure and deliver a 20%+ reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) while improving operational productivity.

The Challenge

Managing a complex mainframe environment

The client's mainframe environment supported critical business operations but had become increasingly difficult to manage. Multiple workflows, security requirements, older system structures and several scheduling environments required continuous maintenance, increasing operational complexity.

The client needed a more standardized approach that could simplify operations, improve productivity and support long-term cost optimization.

The Objective

Building a more efficient mainframe operating model

The client wanted to create a standardized mainframe environment that could:

Simplify mainframe operations through a shared service model
Improve operational productivity and service consistency
Optimize mainframe capacity and reduce infrastructure costs
Modernize the environment with new-generation mainframe equipment
Reduce operational risk while improving long-term efficiency

The Solution

Delivering a shared MFaaS environment

HCLTech implemented a shared Mainframe as a Service (MFaaS) model in Sweden to create a more standardized and efficient operating environment.

The solution included new-generation mainframe equipment, a standardized global delivery model and initiatives to optimize mainframe capacity. HCLTech also introduced an IT service catalog methodology to standardize service delivery and improve consistency across the client's global operations.

Together, these improvements helped simplify mainframe management, improve operational productivity and create a more efficient platform for supporting the client's manufacturing business.

The Impact

Reducing costs while improving operational performance

The engagement helped the client modernize its mainframe operations while improving productivity and reducing operational risk.

Key outcomes included:

20%+ reduction in total cost of ownership
Zero transition risk
15% fewer human-error incidents
10% reduction in infrastructure footprint

By moving to a shared MFaaS environment, the client improved operational consistency, optimized mainframe capacity and established a more efficient foundation for supporting its global manufacturing operations.

DFS Hybrid Cloud Case study Modernizing mainframe operations for a Europe-based global manufacturer