The Forrester Wave™: Infrastructure Outsourcing Services, Q3 2026

Infrastructure Outsourcing Services Vendor Product Comparisons 2026

Key features and pros and cons of top Infrastructure Outsourcing Services products:

Accenture - Leaders

Pros:

Sets the bar for strategy with superior scores across all criteria including vision, innovation, partner ecosystem, pricing flexibility, talent strategy, and global delivery strategy
Positions infrastructure as an enabler of enterprise transformation with services for operating model transformation emphasizing cost-effectiveness and subject matter expertise
Uses a diamond-shaped talent model enhanced by digital 'crews' that supports outcome-based engagements
Demonstrates excellent infrastructure capabilities with notable strengths in compute, compliance, resiliency, and infrastructure deployment options
Data center services stand out with designs that help enterprises with infrastructure for AI
Clients highlight ability to align infrastructure decisions with business strategy and manage global, complex multivendor environments to ensure data sovereignty

Cons:

Some clients note that maximizing value requires active governance due to Accenture's scale and breadth

HCLTech - Leaders

Pros:

Delivers comprehensive well-defined strategy grounded in infrastructure engineering and IP-driven differentiation with solid vision focusing on modernization, automation, and platform reuse
Offers key differentiation through expansion into smaller enterprise segments while maintaining relevance for large global clients
Demonstrates impressive depth in core infrastructure capabilities, particularly compute, storage, and resiliency services reflecting engineering heritage and operational maturity
Data center services stand out for strong sustainability features like energy optimization
Consistently strong with superior scores across all evaluated service areas other than networking, user experience, end-user support, and security services
Clients view as reliable, technically strong partner that delivers services with high operational discipline in large, complex, and long-running environments

Cons:

Customers need to actively manage the relationship, set expectations, and clearly define governance models early on
Only one reference customer responded to Forrester's outreach for this evaluation

Infosys - Leaders

Pros:

Early and sustained focus on AI-first infrastructure operations has matured into coherent approach emphasizing zero-touch operations, predictive automation, and continuous optimization
Use of digital twins to augment traditional observability enables clients to model scenarios and anticipate operational outcomes
Demonstrates superior performance in pricing flexibility, talent strategy, and global delivery supporting geographically distributed clients
Delivers comprehensive and well-integrated infrastructure capabilities with outstanding technical capabilities for support and resiliency services
Platform ecosystem supports automation, is consistent, and accelerates outcomes across hybrid and multicloud environments
Clients appreciate reliability, automation discipline, and clear operational processes with credible AI-enabled operations

Cons:

Some clients note it is less proactive for managed infrastructure services
Reference customers did not respond to Forrester's outreach for this evaluation
Strengths most evident when clients consume services as part of broader automation- and platform-led operating model, not as isolated infrastructure towers

Tata Consultancy Services - Leaders

Pros:

Anchors highly cohesive strategy in automation- and platform-led operating model, reinforced by significant R&D investment and thousands of filed patents
Demonstrates superior performance for innovation, partner ecosystem, pricing flexibility, and talent and global delivery strategies
Positions infrastructure outsourcing as continuously evolving capability tightly linked to AI and agentic operations aiming for autonomous IT environments
Demonstrates outstanding technical capabilities with superior scores across compute and virtualization, resiliency services, and infrastructure deployment options
Defining differentiator is silicon-to-operations depth including support for diverse architectures and advanced AI accelerators
Clients praise reliability, technical competence, consistency at scale, and ability to introduce automation and AI without disruption

Cons:

Use of multiple purpose-built AI and operations platforms may initially appear complex
Some clients feel overwhelmed by the range of innovations and service options
Finalizing deals can require significant effort

Capgemini - Strong Performers

Pros:

Strategy anchored in formidable and well-integrated partner ecosystem with deep relationships with hyperscalers, ISVs, and sovereign infrastructure partners
Pricing flexibility and transparency are strong, emphasizing outcome-based and consumption-aligned pricing models
Shines in networking services with wide-ranging network operations center offerings and support for high-throughput ethernet environments
Support for high-performance computing and AI-adjacent infrastructure along with hybrid and private cloud expertise translates well to AI-ready environments
Demonstrates thoughtful and comprehensive approach to sovereignty spanning data, operations, compliance, and technology architecture
Clients satisfied with service delivery particularly when they actively govern engagements

Cons:

Some clients note need for ongoing relationship management to fully realize value
Issues with talent continuity and slow project starts noted
Did not provide reference customers for this evaluation

Cognizant - Strong Performers

Pros:

Emphasizes vertical expertise and integrated service delivery, positioning infrastructure outsourcing as part of broader end-to-end transformation
Performs well in vision, partner ecosystem, and global delivery supported by strong hyperscaler relationships
Balanced onshore/offshore mix resonates with North American clients
Strengths most visible when infrastructure services bundled with app services, cloud migration, and industry-specific solutions
Clients value responsiveness, domain knowledge, and ability to align infrastructure decisions with app and business priorities
Most satisfied with engagements that span multiple service lines

Cons:

Delivers comprehensive set of solid infrastructure capabilities but scores on par across most evaluated criteria
Shows less differentiation in deep legacy engineering, advanced resiliency services, and AI-optimized infrastructure design
Lags peers in advertised compute and virtualization services
Some variability in delivery consistency and need for clear governance in large multitower engagements
Only one reference customer responded to Forrester's outreach

Kyndryl - Strong Performers

Pros:

Strategy centers on mission-critical infrastructure and mainframe modernization with strengths in legacy transformation
Independence from IBM enabled deeper alliances with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners for more flexible modern services portfolios
Investment in automation and AIOps via Kyndryl Bridge platform reinforces operational resilience and risk reduction
Strong core capabilities in data center operations, mainframe and core enterprise environments, and complex hybrid estates
Excels at supporting legacy platforms while modernizing them for hybrid and multicloud at scale
Clients praise planning, transition, delivery, service capabilities and support for complex and legacy environments

Cons:

On par for advanced AI-optimized infrastructure design and cloud-native engineering-led transformations
Lags peers in networking and user experience
Some note project management and early-phase execution challenges in large modernization efforts

NTT DATA - Strong Performers

Pros:

Strategy is solid and execution oriented, addressing sovereignty, regulatory, and regional operating requirements
Pricing transparency, global delivery, and partner alignment are strong providing dependable foundation for long-term infrastructure engagements
Innovation emphasizes operational reliability with more than 1,000 filed patents and significant R&D investments
Data center services, compliance and regulatory capabilities, service options, and user experience stand out
Reinforces suitability for regulated and sovereignty-sensitive environments
Clients report high satisfaction with service delivery praising reliability, regulatory understanding, and consistency in governed environments

Cons:

Limited vision that simply reflects common market themes such as AI-assisted operations and regulatory readiness
Infrastructure capabilities are solid but don't differentiate in areas like advanced compute, AI-centric infrastructure, or large-scale automation depth
Clients note limited innovation outside execution and that NTT DATA delivers what contracted but not more
Did not provide reference customers for this evaluation

Tech Mahindra - Strong Performers

Pros:

Strategy is execution oriented and cost conscious with strengths in global delivery, pricing competitiveness, and industry alignment particularly for telecom and network-centric environments
Continued investment in automation platforms and AI-assisted operations reinforces shift to more standardized and industrialized delivery models
Strengths in data center operations, hybrid infrastructure management, and process rigor particularly in environments with repeatable operational requirements
Shines when services align to telecom, network, or platform-centric use cases
Support services stand out
Clients praise strong delivery focus, transparency, and cost-effectiveness

Cons:

Needs to improve vision, innovation, and thought leadership
Infrastructure services show less differentiation in advanced areas such as AI-optimized infrastructure design, high-density compute, and deep resiliency engineering
Some note challenges with time needed to ramp up resources, training consistency, and cross-time-zone coordination particularly early in engagements

Wipro - Strong Performers

Pros:

Strategy is operations led and automation first with notable vision leveraging dedicated AI-native business unit with distinct operating model
Creates clear internal alignment between AI initiatives and run-state infrastructure
Well positioned for sovereignty- and regulation-driven engagements where consistency, control, and automation matter
Delivers strong core infrastructure capabilities with excellent performance in storage and backup services, infrastructure deployment options, and vertical- and use-case capabilities
Early investments in AIOps gave first-mover advantage and credibility in automated operations
Offers effective capabilities across the board with no below-par scores

Cons:

Customers note challenges accessing skilled personnel quickly
Did not provide reference customers for this evaluation
Declined to participate in full Forrester Wave evaluation process

Atos - Contenders

Pros:

Noteworthy vision distinguished by approach to agentic modernization with Digital Engineer and Digital Transformation Engineer platforms
Innovation is solid with significant portfolio of more than 2,000 patents and development covering AI, high-performance computing, sovereignty, and cybersecurity
Stands out for compute and virtualization and service options including capabilities for high-performance computers and mainframes
Clients highlight expertise in mainframe and legacy environments as well as mission-critical systems

Cons:

Lags peers in pricing flexibility and transparency as well as talent strategy
Lags peers in networking, offering fewer options for network operations centers
Some note variable delivery execution across teams and geographies
Recent financial challenges and restructuring influenced client scrutiny of renewals and scope expansion
Reference customers did not respond to Forrester's outreach

EPAM - Contenders

Pros:

Strategy focuses on cloud-native, DevOps-aligned, and product-centric operating models
Effectively aligns infrastructure decisions with app modernization, platform engineering, and AI-driven digital initiatives
Global delivery and partner ecosystems are solid using major hyperscalers to support modern infrastructure patterns
Delivers strong capabilities in cloud infrastructure, DevOps, platform engineering, and modern app-adjacent infrastructure services
Performs best in environments where infrastructure tightly couples with software engineering, data platforms, and digital experiences
Clients highlight engineering quality, flexibility, and ability to deliver complex digital programs and scale modern platforms

Cons:

Limited vision positioning infrastructure as embedded enablement, not standalone service
Focuses less on traditional large-scale infrastructure outsourcing, instead favors selective transformation-led engagements
On par in legacy data center operations, mainframe support, and large run-state infrastructure services
Lags in areas like security and support services
Clients say they don't select EPAM for pure infrastructure outsourcing deals

Insight - Contenders

Pros:

Solid vision and innovation approach focusing on partner-led integration and lifecycle ownership
Invested in managed services and cloud operations enabling clients to offload day-to-day infrastructure management
Partner ecosystem effective for hybrid and multicloud environments leveraging deep relationships with AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and major OEMs
Delivers essential infrastructure capabilities in cloud infrastructure and integrated infrastructure operations benefiting from tight coupling with hardware and software sourcing
Managed infrastructure and cloud offerings provide enterprises with single partner across tech lifecycle
Clients praise breadth, partner access, and ability to simplify complex IT estates especially as part of integrated solution

Cons:

Geographic reach is more limited
Lacks differentiation in large legacy-heavy infrastructure outsourcing such as mainframe or deeply customized data center operations
Experiences can vary depending on scope and governance
Only one reference customer responded to Forrester's outreach

LTM - Contenders

Pros:

Effective in global delivery, pricing, and talent strategy benefiting from operational maturity of L&T Infotech and digital heritage of Mindtree
Gains solid scores for resiliency services and advanced operations
Has strengths in level-one to level-three operations, hybrid infrastructure management, and standardized run-state services
Offers safe and reliable outsourcing for routine and foundational infrastructure activities with consistent execution across data center and hybrid estates
Clients cite responsiveness, commitment, and ability to operate reliably at scale
Dependable and willing to go beyond contractual scope in steady-state engagements

Cons:

Needs to improve vision, innovation, and thought leadership
Undistinguished core infrastructure capabilities overall
Differentiation tapers beyond core operations with more limited depth in advanced engineering, higher-order advisory, and complex transformation work
Some note challenges with replacing resources quickly and gaining deeper technical leadership for nonstandard work

Mphasis - Contenders

Pros:

Strategy focuses on customer-centric platform-led transformation anchored by proprietary transformation framework and increasing investment in AI-enabled service delivery
Excels at networking services and offers sound data center and vertical/use case capabilities
Most effective in regulated and transaction-intensive environments where stability, compliance, and integration with app services are critical
Performs well in some elements of infrastructure capabilities
Clients cite domain expertise, reliability, and customer focus as well as execution consistency and service orientation

Cons:

Shows coherence but limited differentiation in vision, innovation, partners, and global delivery
Lags peers in other infrastructure services overall
Shows less depth in large-scale legacy engineering, advanced resiliency services, and AI-optimized infrastructure design
Strengths most evident when infrastructure services consumed as part of broader service and app transformation
Note importance of clear governance in complex engagements
Only one reference customer responded to Forrester's outreach

FAQs

Q: Which vendors are Leaders in 2026?

A: Accenture, HCLTech, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services

Q: What does "Leader" mean in Forrester Wave terms?

A: Leaders in Forrester Wave evaluations offer products or services that excel across current offering and strategy categories. They have a strong market presence, demonstrate consistent innovation, and show clear evidence of customer success. Leaders set the bar for the market and have a proven track record of delivering business value.

Q: How do I interpret a Forrester Wave?

A: https://www.forrester.com/policies/forrester-wave-methodology/

Report:

Top Vendor Products for Infrastructure Outsourcing Services in 2026

Infrastructure Outsourcing Services Vendor Product Comparisons 2026

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

FAQs

Q: Which vendors are Leaders in 2026?

Q: What does "Leader" mean in Forrester Wave terms?

Q: How do I interpret a Forrester Wave?

Reference