Mee’s Mechanical Orchard: AI & Cloud Mainframe Upgrade

Pivotal founder Rob Mee has embarked on a new venture, Mechanical Orchard, aimed at solving a long-standing industry challenge: modernizing ancient mainframe systems by leveraging AI and cloud technologies. The startup has made significant strides, raising $24 million from Emergence Capital at a valuation of $95 million after achieving $10 million in revenue and profitability within just over a year.

With a track record of aiding big businesses in software modernization through Pivotal Labs and Pivotal Software, Mee now addresses the persistent reliance on mainframes, evident in sectors like banking and retail. Despite advancements in digital transformations, a significant portion of critical business functions still operate on mainframes, according to a 2021 IBM report.

The catalyst for Mee’s renewed focus was the Covid-19 pandemic, during which he and his team volunteered to expedite the migration of government systems from mainframes to cloud-based applications. This endeavor evolved into Ratio PBC, a business unit within Mechanical Orchard, dedicated to system replication and modernization.

Mechanical Orchard employs a combination of open-source software and generative AI to streamline the process of deciphering and rewriting legacy code, ensuring faster and more efficient migration to the cloud. By identifying and reconstructing “steel threads” of functionality within the mainframe systems, the company navigates through complex code structures, minimizing errors and maximizing coherence.

Unlike traditional consulting approaches, Mechanical Orchard’s method offers a faster, more cost-effective solution, resulting in coherent foundational code. Customer testimonials, such as Omni Logistics’ vice president of software engineering James Ryan, attest to the effectiveness of Mechanical Orchard’s approach in facilitating digital transformation.

Despite the promising prospects, Mechanical Orchard faces challenges inherent in competing with established players like Accenture and VMware, which have extensive resources and market presence. However, Mee’s reputation and expertise in the field, coupled with Mechanical Orchard’s innovative approach, position the startup as a formidable contender in the market.

As the company secures funding and plans to expand its team, its focus on delivering tangible results in legacy system migration remains unwavering. Mechanical Orchard’s journey reflects a fusion of experience, innovation, and commitment to addressing one of the most persistent challenges in modernizing IT infrastructure.