Blue Hill Data Services Leaders Attend NASCIO Midyear and IBM Think 2026, Affirming Mainframe’s Enduring Role in Modern IT Strategy

Blue Hill Data Services, a leading provider of mainframe and enterprise hosting and managed services, leadership team participated at two of the industry’s premier technology events: the NASCIO 2026 Midyear Conference in Philadelphia and IBM Think 2026 in Boston.

The back-to-back conferences highlighted a common theme across both public sector and enterprise IT environments: while artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid cloud modernization dominate the conversation, the mainframe remains a foundational, mission-critical platform that organizations rely on for security, governance, and scale.

At the NASCIO Midyear Conference, held April 26–29, Paul Franchak and Dan Bolen represented Blue Hill Data Services among IT leaders from all 50 states. The event focused heavily on AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Notably, the State CIO Top 10 priorities for 2026 saw AI ascend to the number one spot, while cybersecurity and budget control remained top concerns.

Throughout the NASCIO sessions, including discussions led by the CIOs of Minnesota and Pennsylvania, state IT leaders underscored the challenges of protecting complex environments while pursuing modernization. A recurring topic was the severe talent shortage in legacy and mainframe environments as experienced staff reach retirement age. The consensus among state technology officials is that the mainframe continues to be a key strategic platform, yet many states lack the internal resources and expertise to maintain it effectively.

“The key takeaway from NASCIO is that the mainframe is still the backbone of state government IT,” said Paul Franchak of Blue Hill Data Services. “However, multiple states are facing a critical challenge: maintaining mainframe expertise as their veteran staff retire. They simply do not have the internal resources to fill these gaps, and that is exactly where Blue Hill steps in to help them secure and modernize their operations.”

Following NASCIO, Paul Franchak and Tom Laudati, COO/CTO of Blue Hill Data Services, attended IBM Think 2026 from May 4–7 in Boston. The conference, themed around “agentic AI” and hybrid cloud infrastructure, reinforced the necessity of robust, data-ready architecture. IBM executives stressed that activating AI on the mainframe is a strategic business decision designed to unlock value from existing applications and data while protecting core trust and cost efficiency.

IBM Think 2026 also featured significant announcements, including the new IBM z17 mainframe hardware and tools like the IBM Bob Premium Package for Z, demonstrating continued investment and innovation in the platform.

For organizations navigating these dual pressures, the mandate to modernize and integrate AI, coupled with the critical need to maintain secure, reliable mainframe operations amidst a widening skills gap, Blue Hill Data Services offers a proven path forward. With decades of expertise, Blue Hill Data Services provides tailored mainframe hosting and fully managed services designed around each client’s unique workload, risk profile, and roadmap.

“Whether it is a state government agency or a global financial institution, the message from the market is clear: organizations need a partner who understands the mainframe and can provide the specialized skills required to keep it running flawlessly,” added Laudati. “We don’t just keep the lights on; we help our clients turn their mainframe into a secure, governed platform for future growth.”

To learn more about Blue Hill Data Services’ tailored mainframe hosting and managed services, visit bluehilldata.com.

About Blue Hill Data Services

Blue Hill Data Services provides customized, fully managed hosting and disaster recovery services for Mainframe, AS/400 (IBM i), and distributed environments. With a focus on security, reliability, and tailored solutions, Blue Hill helps organizations optimize their mission-critical IT infrastructure, reduce operational risk, and bridge the technology skills gap.