The access layer: an overlooked driver of modernization ROI

The article argues that the access layer around mission-critical systems is a major, often overlooked source of modernization ROI: fragmented logins, inconsistent provisioning, and multiple connectivity tools drive measurable support, administration, and productivity costs while weakening governance. For CIOs and IT leaders, consolidating secure host access can improve user experience, tighten identity controls, and free IT capacity for higher-value modernization work without replacing core platforms, turning access management into a strategic lever rather than just an infrastructure concern.