HFS Horizons: Next-gen IT Infrastructure Services, 2026

Infrastructure is no longer just the foundation for enterprise IT. It is becoming the control layer that determines where AI runs, how workloads are optimized, and whether operations can scale securely and efficiently. As enterprises accelerate digital transformation, they must support AI-native workloads, hybrid and multi-cloud environments, edge computing, and real-time processing while managing rising costs, regulatory complexity, and sustainability requirements. To achieve these outcomes, enterprises are increasingly relying on service providers to modernize, operate, and continuously optimize their infrastructure estates.

The “HFS Horizons: Next-gen IT Infrastructure Service Providers, 2026” report evaluates 17 service providers on their ability to help enterprises reimagine infrastructure for AI-native operations and distributed digital environments. It assesses providers’ capabilities and outcomes across the HFS next-gen infrastructure services value chain to understand the why, what, how, and so what of their offerings.

The study examines service providers’ maturity across three distinct Horizons:

• Horizon 3: Horizon 2 + ability to drive a “OneEcosystem” approach by delivering intelligent, decentralized, and policy-aware infrastructure foundations by integrating platform engineering, sovereign control, carbon-optimized operations, and embedded automation at enterprise scale.
• Horizon 2: Horizon 1 + ability to drive the “OneOffice” mindset to design and run hybrid, adaptive, and distributed infrastructure that supports AI, multi-cloud, edge, and modern workloads, with built-in sustainability, observability, and cost-efficiency.
• Horizon 1: Ability to modernize and manage enterprise clients’ existing infrastructure estates with secure, efficient, and reliable operations.

The report highlights each provider’s placement, strengths, and development opportunities across these Horizons. It offers actionable insights for enterprises, service providers, and ecosystem partners that are shaping the future of AI-ready infrastructure and digital operations.

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