by Alexis Tuble, Correspondent
While financial institutions in the Asia Pacific region race to modernize their technology infrastructure, the pressure to retain critical mainframe expertise is mounting. But rather than replace legacy systems altogether, Rocket Software is building bridges between platforms, generations, and even mindsets.
In an exclusive interview with FintechNewsPH.com, Praveen Kumar, Vice President of Asia Pacific at Rocket Software, shared how AI is transforming the role of the mainframe in the Philippines and why the company’s approach of “modernization without disruption” is gaining traction among banks, insurance firms, and fintech players.
“The challenge is stark,” Kumar emphasized, echoing Deloitte’s finding that 79% of IT organizations grapple with acquiring the right resources and skills for their mainframe operations.
“AI doesn’t eliminate the skills gap, but it shrinks the problem,” Kumar emphasized. “It enables better integration, automates the tedious work, and allows institutions to move forward without throwing everything out.”
Mainframe modernization in PH: From green screens to generative AI
According to Kumar, the core of Rocket’s mission is not about replacing systems, but enhancing them. He illustrated how AI helps simplify complex processes — for example, allowing customer service agents to retrieve a transaction history across millions of records using just a natural language query.
“You could just type in: ‘When was the last transaction of ₱10,000?’ and the system scouts all related documents, statements, and data, delivering an immediate answer,” he said. “That kind of intelligence doesn’t require the agent to understand how the mainframe works — it just works.”
Such seamless interfaces, powered by AI-enabled search and smart content engines, are lowering the barriers for non-technical staff while preserving the operational reliability of mainframe systems.
Mainframes meet Gen Z
Rather than force new professionals to learn outdated programming languages, Rocket Software is bringing mainframes closer to the technologies Gen Z already uses — cloud platforms, APIs, and AI models. The company’s hybrid approach enables institutions to offload non-critical workloads to the cloud while preserving mission-critical processes on the mainframe.
This strategy directly addresses the “critical dilemma” faced by IT leaders as seasoned mainframe veterans head into retirement, ensuring continuity while embracing modern appeal.
This approach not only modernizes operations but also makes them more appealing to younger tech professionals, who are more likely to engage with platforms that support generative AI, mobile apps, and real-time data analytics. AI becomes a layer that makes legacy systems accessible, not something that replaces them entirely.
Rocket Software uses AI to empower a new generation of IT talent
In the Philippines, Rocket Software supports local banks and insurers by helping reduce the need for deep technical specialization.
This aligns with the broader trend in the Philippines where “86% of Filipino white-collar workers are actively using AI to boost productivity, efficiency, and creativity”.
Through data replication tools and smart integration, many back-end operations can now be managed by generalist IT staff, allowing mainframe experts to focus on critical systems.
Training has also evolved. AI-enhanced learning platforms now provide employees with contextual, on-demand support, helping them reinforce key lessons well after the training sessions end. This shift from intensive classroom learning to intelligent assistance is allowing companies to scale their workforce capabilities more efficiently.
A new role for the mainframe
Kumar believes that AI’s most important contribution is not in replacing legacy platforms but in helping organizations better understand what those systems are truly good at.
He noted that “AI integration with the mainframe helps the younger people appreciate the power of the mainframe”.
“The younger generations are beginning to appreciate what the mainframe really stands for,” he explained. “They’re identifying which tasks belong on the mainframe and which can be run elsewhere, like on distributed cloud platforms with generative AI.”
This shift in perception is helping organizations innovate faster while maintaining operational stability. Instead of seeing the mainframe as a burden, younger tech workers are now recognizing it as a powerful, reliable engine, especially when combined with modern interfaces and AI-driven enhancements.
Building a smarter, safer future
Security and compliance remain at the forefront of this evolution. With more systems running in hybrid environments, the risk of human error and unauthorized data access increases. Rocket Software addresses this by embedding AI-driven safeguards that limit data exposure and ensure compliance with regulations like those of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Kumar shared a case where a major Philippine bank needed to automatically track and update Know Your Customer (KYC) documents. Rather than rely on manual processes, Rocket Software implemented a solution that uses AI to detect expired records, notify the appropriate staff, and ensure data privacy is maintained.
Toward a digital-first economy
Ultimately, Rocket Software’s goal is to help the Philippines emerge as a fintech powerhouse in the Asia Pacific region — not by discarding legacy systems, but by building on its strengths while integrating modern capabilities.
“There’s a common perception that everything should move to the cloud,” Kumar explained. “But decades of financial modeling and sensitive customer data reside on mainframes. It’s not about ripping them out — it’s about evolving safely. Modernization doesn’t have to be binary. It’s not about choosing between the mainframe or the cloud—it’s about making both work together, seamlessly.”
Through AI-driven tools, robust data integration, and a phased modernization roadmap, Rocket Software is enabling financial institutions to attract new talent, preserve operational stability, and future-proof their digital strategies.
