Overview

For the 2026 Next-Gen IT Infrastructure Services report, HFS Research evaluated 17 global IT service providers across the value chain, assessing their ability to transform fragmented and static systems into seamless AI-native digital foundations that solve challenges such as:

• Legacy estate complexity and technical debt
• Security, resilience and regulatory complexity
• AI workload readiness and infrastructure strain
• Operational cost and efficiency mandates
• Talent shortages

Service providers were grouped into three “Horizons” with Hitachi Digital Services earning the top designation of Market Leader or “Horizon 3”. Horizon 3 suppliers are recognized for modernizing and managing enterprise infrastructure with secure, reliable operations while advancing a OneOffice mindset and OneEcosystem approach.

Differentiated Hitachi Digital Services capabilities highlighted by HFS Research include:

• Engineering-led operations model via Hitachi Application Reliability Centers (HARC)
• Embedded agentic AI across operations
• Architecture-first infrastructure strategy (defining multidomain reference architectures across cloud, edge, and IT–OT)
• Proven execution in mission-critical environments
• Evolution to predictive, intelligent operations

“Hitachi Digital Services (HDS) differentiated IT–OT convergence strategy, combined with its growing focus on platform-led infrastructure and AI-enabled operations, positions it well to support enterprises transitioning from fragmented, operations-led environments to integrated, outcome-driven digital infrastructure. Through its Lumada-based capabilities and investments in data, edge, and industrial platforms, HDS  is enabling more contextual, real-time decision-making across distributed environments. Its approach reflects a shift toward infrastructure as an intelligent, orchestrated layer – where resilience, performance, and business outcomes are increasingly managed through software, automation, and domain-aware insights.”

Overview

The ISG Provider Lens reports are relied upon by enterprises seeking to make confident, data-backed decisions when selecting partners. The research combines independent analysis with real-world practitioner insights. Vetted against more than 25 global providers, Hitachi Digital Services earned a Leader position in all three of the current robotics services report categories:

• Consulting and Transformation: Guiding enterprises in defining and planning their robotics transformation strategy before engineering or deployment begins.
• Integration and Engineering: Designing, engineering and deploying industrial and commercial robotics systems.
• Managed Services and Robotics as a Service (RaaS): Operating and optimizing robotic systems after deployment, offering RaaS through on-demand or subscription models.

ISG is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm known for its proprietary market data and research designed to help clients maximize technology investment value. When validating Hitachi Digital Services’ achievement, ISG analysts cited various impactful differentiators. They range from deep domain credibility rooted in a “customer zero” strategy and IP-led consulting to a proven ability to deliver robotics services focused on uptime, safety and asset lifecycle accountability.

Per the report, Hitachi Digital Services stands apart by grounding robotics and physical AI in real-world, mission-critical operations—ensuring that strategy translates into systems that perform reliably at scale. Drawing on deep experience in industries like Rail and Energy, the company delivers solutions designed for long-term value, where reliability, safety and long-term performance matter most. This pragmatic, operations-first approach—combined with strong governance and a focus on resilience—enables organizations to confidently adopt advanced AI in complex industrial environments.