illustro

Mainframe Softwareillustro.com

illustro Systems is a UNICOM Global division that sells proprietary mainframe software (AUTOMON, z/Ware, UCCF, CICS tools) and systems programming services exclusively to enterprises running IBM z/VSE on zSeries and S/390 platforms, monetizing through licenses, maintenance subscriptions, and professional services.

Company typePrivate
Founded2011
HeadquartersDallas, United States
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2B
OfferingSoftware

What illustro does

illustro Systems is a software division of UNICOM Systems, Inc., part of the privately held UNICOM Global conglomerate, focused exclusively on the IBM z/VSE mainframe platform. The company was acquired by UNICOM Global on August 30, 2011, and operates as the dedicated z/VSE product line within a group of more than 50 corporate entities. illustro does not disclose standalone financials and is reported to have 11-50 employees, with the broader UNICOM Global group reporting over 1,000 employees worldwide.

The product portfolio is organized into five categories: Application Modernization (z/Ware VSE, z/Web Server VM), CICS Automation (AUTOMON/BATCH, AUTOMON/CICS, UMF/CICS), Intelligent File Processing (CICS-FCTD, CICS-FileServ), Productivity Management (CICS-Juggler, CICS-Windows, Help-Windows, VTAM-Windows), and System and Resource Management (AUTOMON/RDO, AUTOMON/TCPIP, AUTOMON/VTAM, UCCF/Batch, UCCF/Server). The core technical value proposition is modernization of mainframe applications without source code changes, alongside automation of CICS operations, batch processing, and TCP/IP/VTAM resource management. The company also delivers three service lines: illustro iManage (fixed-price systems programming), illustro iS.O.S. (software safety and support), and illustro z/VSE services (consulting and technical support). In September 2025, illustro/UNICOM Global announced day-one support for IBM CICS TS 6.3, z/OS 3.2, and 21CS VSEn 6.4, extending the platform coverage onto 21CS's VSE-compatible operating system.

Revenue is generated through three streams: one-time software licenses (AUTOMON, CICS tools, z/Ware), recurring maintenance and support subscriptions, and professional services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; sales are conducted via website-based order forms, direct phone engagement (+1 818.838.0606), and inquiry forms that capture CPU ID and OS version to validate entitlement. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales with channel reach through UNICOM Global's network of 50+ entities (including SoftLanding and Macro 4) and event-driven engagement at mainframe community conferences such as SHARE and GSE Nordic. Customers are enterprise operators of IBM zSeries and S/390 systems with z/VSE installations; no named end-customer logos are publicly disclosed.

illustro firmographics

Firmographics

Name: illustro
Legal name: UNICOM Systems, Inc.
Website: https://illustro.com
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2011
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: illustro Systems is a UNICOM Global division that sells proprietary mainframe software (AUTOMON, z/Ware, UCCF, CICS tools) and systems programming services exclusively to enterprises running IBM z/VSE on zSeries and S/390 platforms, monetizing through licenses, maintenance subscriptions, and professional services.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Where illustro is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Dallas
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

illustro business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Software
Cost components: Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

Software Licenses: Sale of proprietary mainframe software products for z/VSE environments including AUTOMON, CICS tools, and z/Ware solutions. Software is downloaded after request and provided under license agreements.
Software Maintenance and Support: Technical support services including software updates, patches, and technical assistance for installed products.
Professional Services: Services including illustro iManage (fixed price systems programming), illustro iS.O.S. (software safety services), and illustro z/VSE services for implementation and consulting.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Other	Multi-year contract	Contact sales for pricing

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

illustro product offering

Product offering

Core offering

illustro develops, licenses, and supports proprietary mainframe software products and professional services exclusively for IBM z/VSE and z/VM environments. Its offerings span application modernization (z/Ware VSE, z/Web Server VM), CICS automation (AUTOMON, UMF/CICS), intelligent file processing, productivity management, and system/resource management, complemented by fixed-price systems programming (iManage), software safety (iS.O.S.), and z/VSE consulting services.

Product overview

illustro Systems offers a comprehensive portfolio of software products and services specifically designed for the IBM z/VSE platform. The product lineup is organized into five main categories: Application Modernization (including illustro z/Ware VSE and illustro z/Web Server VM), CICS Automation (AUTOMON/BATCH, AUTOMON/CICS, UMF/CICS), Intelligent File Processing (CICS-FCTD, CICS-FileServ), Productivity Management (CICS-Juggler, CICS-Windows, Help-Windows, VTAM-Windows), and System and Resource Management (AUTOMON/RDO, AUTOMON/TCPIP, AUTOMON/VTAM, UCCF/Batch, UCCF/Server). The company also provides professional services including illustro iManage (fixed-price systems programming), illustro iS.O.S. (software safety), and illustro z/VSE services. All products are focused on helping organizations modernize mainframe applications without changing a line of code.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

illustro z/Ware VSE

Companies that use illustro

Customer profile

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

illustro technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

illustro partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

21CScoreTechnology or Integration · 30 September 202521CS is a VSE platform provider whose VSEn 6.4 operating system is supported by illustro/UNICOM Global solutions. illustro provides day-one support for new 21CS releases alongside IBM platform support.
IBMcoreTechnology or IntegrationUNICOM is an IBM Solution Provider and strategic partner with multiple enterprise software transactions. illustro products support IBM platforms including z/VSE, z/OS, CICS, and related IBM mainframe technologies. UNICOM participates in IBM's early test program and provides day-one support for new IBM releases.
UNICOM GlobalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partnerillustro is a division of UNICOM Global, part of a group of over 50 corporate entities. Products are marketed through UNICOM divisions including SoftLanding and Macro 4. UNICOM provides R&D, support infrastructure, and distribution network.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

illustro competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

Precisely: Precisely (formerly Syncsort) provides data integrity, integration, and mainframe data tooling used by many of the same IBM Z customers that buy illustro's automation products.
Broadcom (CA Technologies mainframe): Broadcom's CA mainframe unit sells enterprise DevOps, operations, and automation software for IBM Z, competing broadly with illustro's automation and productivity toolchain across a much larger portfolio.
IBM (IBM Z software): IBM is the platform provider for z/VSE, z/OS, and CICS and a strategic partner whose own IBM Z software portfolio can substitute for, or compete against, illustro's tools in the same installed base.

Direct peers

Rocket Software: Rocket Software is a long-standing mainframe software specialist offering modernization, application development, data, and operations tools for IBM Z environments, making it the closest like-for-like peer to illustro's z/VSE-focused automation and modernization suite.
RSM Partners: RSM Partners is a specialist consultancy delivering IBM Z systems programming and modernization services, competing with illustro's iManage and z/VSE services offerings for similar mainframe customers.
Macro 4: Macro 4 is a sister UNICOM Global division offering mainframe software (including output management and session management for z/OS) and is distributed through the same UNICOM channels, making it a natural internal peer and potential substitute for illustro products.
SoftLanding Systems: SoftLanding is a UNICOM Global division providing IBM i (AS/400) modernization, automation, and DevOps tools, sharing the same parent and enterprise mainframe-adjacent buyer profile as illustro.
BMC Software (BMC AMI): BMC's AMI portfolio provides mainframe workload automation, monitoring, and DevOps for IBM Z, directly overlapping illustro's AUTOMON/CICS/batch automation positioning in the same enterprise mainframe buyer set.

Others

21CS: 21CS is the VSE platform provider for VSEn 6.4 and a named illustro/UNICOM partner; while not a direct product competitor, its commercial decisions and roadmap directly shape illustro's addressable platform footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

illustro financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

illustro leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

illustro funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

illustro M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about illustro

What does illustro do?

Is illustro a public or private company?

illustro is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.

When was illustro founded?

illustro was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is illustro based?

illustro is headquartered in Dallas, United States, in the North America region.

How does illustro make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are software Maintenance and Support and professional Services.

Who are illustro's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are Precisely, Broadcom (CA Technologies mainframe) and IBM (IBM Z software). Direct peers are Rocket Software, RSM Partners, Macro 4, SoftLanding Systems and BMC Software (BMC AMI). 21CS is listed as an others.

Does illustro have an API?

No public API is recorded for illustro.