Your Mainframe Team Isn’t a Problem — It’s Your Advantage

One of the most overlooked assets in legacy modernization? 

The people who built and maintain those legacy systems. 

Too often, AI-driven transformation is framed as a replacement strategy — which understandably creates fear among longtime developers, DBAs, and analysts. 

But here’s what I’ve seen work instead: 

Position legacy experts as modernization architects. 

These professionals often hold the key to institutional knowledge — and when paired with AI, they become essential interpreters and validators of the logic hidden deep in legacy code. 

At CMS, this shift in approach helped reduce resistance and foster genuine buy-in. People weren’t being replaced — they were being invited to lead. 

Yes, some roles will evolve. Yes, some transitions will be challenging. But when organizations invest in reskilling and communicate with clarity, they turn potential resistance into lasting resilience. 

I go deeper into this approach — including how to manage fear and build trust — in the white paper I recently published. 

Tech drives change — but people sustain it. 

Download Rajiv's Strategic Guide to AI Modernization: