Data Management
Michael Curry, President at Rocket Software, on Unlocking AI and Real-Time Insights Through Data Modernization
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Overview
Here is a small introduction to Michael Curry :
Michael Curry is the President of the Data Modernization Business Unit at Rocket Software, where he leads enterprise-scale initiatives driving cloud integration, data modernization, and AI-powered transformation. With over three decades in technology strategy, including senior leadership roles at IBM, Michael specializes in helping enterprises unlock the full value of legacy systems through modernization, hybrid cloud architectures, and data-driven innovation. A frequent speaker and guest lecturer at Harvard and Penn State, he is known for bridging strategic vision with hands-on technical depth to shape the future of enterprise data.
TD Editor: At Rocket Software, you’re driving innovation in the data modernization space. What does “data modernization” truly mean for enterprises, especially those balancing legacy systems with the need for agility and scale?
Michael Curry: Most enterprises sit on a wealth of data that holds the potential for immense strategic value; however, much of it is difficult to access and use because it originates in core systems that weren’t designed for easy sharing. Data modernization is all about making that data visible and accessible, while keeping it up to date so it can be leveraged for AI and real-time insights.
TD Editor: Michael, Rocket Software, in partnership with IDC, recently surveyed over 800 IT leaders on modernization maturity. Nearly two-thirds rank modernization as a top priority. From your perspective, what’s driving this surge in urgency at the boardroom level?
Michael Curry: In the current landscape, an organization’s ability to grow and evolve is heavily dependent on its ability to innovate. From AI implementation to workflow automation and scalable operations, it all comes down to building the necessary infrastructure and operational capabilities to tap into those technologies. When you really think about it, you can’t do AI without modernization, and AI addresses the top three business outcomes those companies are seeking: operational efficiency, faster innovation, and customer satisfaction.
TD Editor: Cybersecurity emerged as the leading investment priority, with over half of respondents citing it as their biggest barrier to modernization. How should enterprises balance the push for innovation with the need for resilience and security-by-design?
Michael Curry: Every company has a different risk appetite when it comes to innovation vs security and emerging technologies like AI present additional cybersecurity challenges. However, IT modernization experts recognize that the pillars of cyber resilience (data protection, operational resilience, compliance, and auditability) are all crucial elements of a mature IT environment and not add-ons. In fact, our recent whitepaper showed that organizations with mature IT environments understand this and prioritize improving data governance and compliance to ensure consistency across the business, which in turn propels forward innovation initiatives that benefit from good data governance.
TD Editor: Data quality and integration were highlighted as major hurdles. Given your background in data governance and integration, what are some practical steps leaders can take to overcome these barriers and unlock the full potential of their data?
Michael Curry: It all starts with figuring out what data you have across your full IT landscape. Data discovery helps companies determine where their data is located, how it is related, and how they can access it. This data understanding is critical for all governance initiatives because it makes it clear where to get the best data, where data quality issues exist, and what needs to happen in order to achieve a comprehensive view.
TD Editor: The survey showed that organizations with mature, integrated modernization strategies are achieving twice the gains compared to peers. What sets these leaders apart, and how can others begin to close that maturity gap?
Michael Curry: The data showed that the organizations that are the most advanced in their IT modernization journey – the ones we qualified as “experts” – devote proportionally 47% more budget to modernization activities than the least mature IT modernization explorers. This means they actively prioritize IT modernization on an ongoing basis and invest in upskilling staff and making contingency plans for supply chain disruptions, which in turn drives business outcomes.
TD Editor: Looking ahead, what advice would you give CIOs, CTOs, and data leaders as they shape modernization roadmaps for the next 3–5 years?
Michael Curry: A great place to start is by benchmarking where you are today across the different dimensions of modernization, and then setting goals for where you want to be each year along that roadmap. Modernization tends to be approached like a game of whack-a-mole, where IT leaders spend their energy on the places where issues pop up. Having a clear understanding of what modernization means, where you are today, and where you want to be each year enables you to provide organizational clarity around goals and expectations.
Wed, Oct 22, 2025
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