The Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology convened on April 4, 2025, to discuss the future of the state's mainframe services, a critical component of Oregon's data management infrastructure. The meeting highlighted the ongoing challenges and strategic decisions facing the Department of Consumer Services (DCS) regarding the aging mainframe technology.

Historically, the mainframe served as the backbone of state operations, with multiple agencies relying on it for various applications. Since the consolidation of state data centers in 2005, Oregon has reduced its physical mainframes from five to one, which is now shared among all agencies. Despite its age, the mainframe continues to support essential functions, including financial accounting and agency mission delivery, with the last upgrade occurring in 2021.

However, the meeting revealed significant concerns about the sustainability of mainframe operations. A notable issue is the impending retirement of 14 out of 16 staff members who currently support the mainframe, raising questions about the future viability of in-house support. The shrinking pool of skilled technical staff familiar with mainframe technology and programming languages further complicates the situation, as these skills are no longer widely taught in universities.

A benchmark study conducted by EIS in 2020 assessed the mainframe's future as a service offering. The findings indicated that while DCS provides mainframe services effectively and at a lower cost than peers, transitioning to a vendor-supported mainframe as a service may be necessary. The study also noted that modernization of the remaining complex applications could be costly and time-consuming.

The committee discussed three alternatives for continuing mainframe support, with a recommendation to pursue a mainframe as a service model. DCS has been following a strategic roadmap based on the consultant's recommendations, progressing from step five to step seven in recent legislative sessions.

As Oregon navigates these challenges, the future of its mainframe services remains uncertain, with decisions needed to ensure continued support and modernization of critical applications. The discussions at the meeting underscore the importance of addressing these issues promptly to maintain effective data management for state agencies.