Unisys

Unisys Corporation

Company type	Public
Industry	Information technology
Predecessor	Sperry, Burroughs
Founded	1986
Headquarters	Blue Bell, Pennsylvania , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Michael M. Thomson (CEO)
Products	Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital workplace solutions, logistics, enterprise IT, managed services outsourcing, systems integration, software, advanced servers, cybersecurity
Website	www.unisys.com

Unisys Corporation is an international provider of technology solutions, established in 1986 and based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The company offers services in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital workplace solutions, logistics, and enterprise IT.

Origins

Unisys’s heritage dates back to 1873 with E. Remington & Sons, the creator of the first commercially successful QWERTY typewriter. The current entity, Unisys, was formed in 1986 through a $4.8 billion merger between mainframe industry leaders Sperry and Burroughs. Burroughs’s acquisition of Sperry resulted in the second-largest computer firm at the time, generating $10.5 billion annually. The name "Unisys" was chosen from more than 31,000 internal suggestions, symbolizing a fusion of "united," "information," and "systems." Post-merger, W. Michael Blumenthal took on the roles of CEO and Chairman.

Late 20th century

After the merger, demand for proprietary mainframe systems—Unisys’s primary product alongside competitors such as IBM—declined steadily. In response, Unisys redirected its efforts toward advanced servers, including 32-bit processor-based Windows Server platforms, while broadening its IT service offerings like systems integration and outsourcing. The company continued to generate income from its existing mainframe hardware and software customer base.

In 1988, Unisys expanded by acquiring Convergent Technologies, known for its Convergent Technologies Operating System (CTOS).

Leadership transitions occurred when Blumenthal resigned in 1990; James Unruh, formerly with Memorex and Honeywell, succeeded him as CEO and Chairman until 1997. Afterwards, Larry Weinbach from Arthur Andersen assumed the CEO position.

21st century developments

In 2004, Unisys introduced Business Blueprints, a consulting service designed to assist clients in developing business process models.

Between 2005 and 2008, Joseph McGrath served as CEO and President; he was succeeded by J. Edward Coleman in October 2008 as CEO and Chairman. That same year, Unisys was dropped from the S&P 500 index after its market capitalization dipped below $4 billion.

In 2010, Unisys sold its Medicare processing Health Information Management division to Molina Healthcare for $135 million.

Coleman stepped down at the end of 2014 after six years leading the company. Peter Altabef, previously president of Dell Services, was appointed CEO and president in December 2014. Early in 2015, Paul Weaver became the permanent chairman of the board.

In February 2020, SAIC purchased Unisys Federal—the company’s federal defense contracting unit—for $1.2 billion. Despite the sale, Unisys retained rights to license software to federal government clients.

June 2020 saw the rollout of Australia’s Home Affairs biometric identification platform developed partially in partnership with Unisys.

Unisys pursued growth through acquisitions in 2021: acquiring Unify Square for $152.5 million—a firm specializing in enterprise collaboration solutions; Mobinergy, which focuses on mobile device management; and CompuGain, an Amazon Web Services Advanced Consulting Partner acquired for $87.3 million.

In July 2021, Unisys collaborated with Vodafone to improve IT services via the “Vodafone Digital Factory,” integrating AI, virtual/augmented reality, and blockchain technologies.

By May 2022, Unisys became a participant in the Plug and Play Enterprise Tech program to engage with startups and incorporate innovative technologies.

On April 1, 2025, Michael M. Thomson—formerly president and COO—was named CEO, succeeding Peter Altabef after ten years at the helm.

NelsonHall

• Unisys achieved Leader designation in NelsonHall’s Evaluation & Assessment Tool (NEAT) for Advanced Digital Workplace Services during 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023, showcasing its strong position in digital workplace solutions.
• The company was recognized as a Leader in Cognitive and Self-Healing IT Infrastructure Services in both 2021 and 2023, emphasizing its innovative approach to IT infrastructure management.
• In 2022 and again in 2024, Unisys earned Leader status for End-to-End Cloud Infrastructure Services, highlighting its robust cloud capabilities.
• Additionally, Unisys secured leadership recognition in the NEAT Cyber Resiliency Vendor Evaluation for the years 2021 and 2024, reflecting its expertise in cybersecurity offerings.

Avasant

• Unisys was acknowledged as an Innovator in 2021 and elevated to Leader status in 2023 within Avasant’s RadarView for Digital Workplace Services.
• The company received Leader recognition in Avasant’s End-User Computing Services RadarView for both 2023 and the 2024-2025 period.
• In 2024, Unisys was distinguished as a Disruptor in Avasant’s Freight and Logistics Digital Services RadarView.
• That same year, it was also named an Innovator across multiple Avasant RadarViews including Data Center Managed Services, Application Modernization Services, Multisourcing Service Integration, and Hybrid Enterprise Cloud Services.

Everest Group

• In 2022, Everest Group identified Unisys as a Major Contender within its PEAK Matrix for Cloud Services across North America and Europe.
• By 2024, the company advanced to Leader status in Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix for Digital Workplace Services aimed at midmarket enterprises.

Forbes

• Forbes recognized Unisys in 2025 as one of America’s Best Employers for Engineers.
• In 2023, the company earned accolades as a Best Employer for Women, Best Employer for Diversity, and ranked among America’s Best Midsize Employers by Forbes.
• The firm was also listed in Forbes’ Best Workplaces for Women in 2022.

Products and services

Unisys delivers an extensive array of IT solutions that encompass:

• Managed services outsourcing
• Systems integration alongside consulting expertise
• Software for application and device management
• Advanced server technologies
• Support and maintenance provisions
• Cybersecurity offerings
• Digital workplace services (DWS)
• Cloud infrastructure and related services
• Enterprise computing solutions
• Business process outsourcing services
• Field support and service operations

To ensure dependable service delivery and infrastructure resilience globally, Unisys operates numerous data centers worldwide. Strategic acquisitions like Unify Square have bolstered its unified communications management capabilities, strengthening its leadership position within digital workplace services.

Digital Workplace Services (DWS)

Unisys’ Digital Workplace Services are designed to improve employee engagement, collaboration efficiency, productivity levels, and comprehensive IT assistance. Core components include:

• Consulting on digital transformation initiatives
• Workplace as a Service (WaaS) solutions
• Intelligent workplace service offerings
• Unified experience management systems
• Modern device lifecycle management
• Integrated collaboration tools

The DWS portfolio expanded significantly in 2021 when Unisys acquired Unify Square, a specialist in collaboration and communications platform management, along with Mobinenergy, known for unified endpoint management expertise. These entities now function under the Digital Workplace Services division, enhancing Unisys’ market presence and service capabilities.

Cloud, Applications, and Infrastructure (CA & I)

The CA&I division provides a range of solutions encompassing applications, cloud services—including cloud-based AI—cybersecurity, and data management. A notable example occurred in 2020 when California State University adopted Unisys’ CloudForte along with Managed Security Services to establish a hybrid-cloud infrastructure.

Unisys expanded its cloud capabilities by acquiring CompuGain, which bolstered its expertise in hybrid cloud optimization, agile migration strategies, cloud-native development, and data governance. These components are instrumental in driving the company’s expansion within cloud infrastructure and service offerings.

Cybersecurity

In November 2020, Unisys upgraded its Stealth security platform by integrating visualization and dashboard functionalities. This enhancement empowers organizations to track security statuses in real time, enabling cybersecurity teams to map relationships across all network endpoints, including multi-cloud and edge computing setups.

Enterprise Computing (ECS)

The ECS portfolio from Unisys delivers secure and high-performance IT solutions tailored for enterprise environments, featuring:

• ClearPath: A mainframe-class server solution designed to optimize operational workflows, modernize legacy applications, and support cloud migration initiatives.
• Licensing arrangements and comprehensive support services.
• Advanced computing services and next-generation technology offerings.
• Solutions addressing micro-markets and business process optimization.
• Industry-specific products targeting sectors such as financial services as well as travel and transportation.

Unisys was a pioneer in developing server architecture capable of running four distinct operating systems concurrently within a single virtualized partition. In 2013, the company secured a $650 million contract to maintain enterprise computing systems for the Internal Revenue Service.

Partnerships

Unisys strengthens its service portfolio through strategic alliances that span cloud computing, cybersecurity, and managed services. Prominent partners include:

• VMware
• Oracle
• British Telecom
• Dell Technologies
• Amazon Web Services (AWS), recognized as an MSP Partner and holder of AWS Government Competency
• Microsoft Azure Expert MSP partner alongside Microsoft Gold Partner status
• ServiceNow as a global managed services collaborator
• Google Cloud Partner Advantage Program participant, including resell partnerships for Google Cloud and Google Workspace

These partnerships play a critical role in broadening Unisys’ market presence, enhancing its cloud service capabilities, and advancing cybersecurity solutions.

Consumerization of IT

Unisys sponsored research conducted by IDC that identified a disconnect between the expectations of the emerging “iWorker” demographic and organizations’ readiness to support mobile and consumer-centric IT environments. The study highlighted that many enterprises continue to rely on outdated IT frameworks, which hampers the adoption of modern networked technologies. This insight shapes Unisys’ approach to assisting clients in modernizing their IT infrastructure while improving workforce mobility.

Cloud 20/20

Launched in October 2009, Cloud 20/20 is an annual technical paper competition aimed at university students across India. The contest encourages exploration into cloud computing topics such as automation, virtualization, application development, security, and IT consumerization. Participation grew rapidly from over 570 universities in 2009 to more than a thousand in 2010. Finalists present their research before panels of academic experts and industry technologists, competing for prizes including technology devices, internships, and career opportunities with Unisys.

People and Culture

Unisys has earned recognition on Newsweek’s 2024 lists for the Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces and America’s Most Loved Workplaces. The company has also been featured on Forbes’ lists, including America’s Best Employers for Diversity (2023), Best Employers for Women (2022–2023), and the Fair360 Noteworthy Companies roster. As a repeated recipient of the DivHERsity award, Unisys has consistently achieved top ratings on the Disability Equality Index for five straight years (2020–2024), being honored as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” This index evaluates workplace inclusivity for people with disabilities and is a collaborative effort between Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities.

In November 2021, Unisys introduced the UGrow initiative to foster employee growth through specialized skill development courses. Additionally, staff can utilize Unisys University, which provides complimentary certifications in over 100 competencies aligned with essential business areas such as leadership, management, communication, and organizational culture. This focus on talent enhancement aligns with Unisys’ strategic goals by boosting workforce skills and improving employee retention.

Supplier Diversity Program

Unisys operates a supplier diversity initiative that encourages collaboration with businesses owned by minorities, veterans, women, and other historically underrepresented groups.

Carbon Footprint Reduction

Since 2006, Unisys has aimed to cut its carbon emissions by 75% by 2026, a target it surpassed ahead of schedule in 2021. Following this achievement, the company set an ambitious goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Unisys actively engages with the Carbon Disclosure Project and participates in the United Nations Global Compact to advance its sustainability commitments.

Controversies

In 1987, former employees filed a $5.2 million lawsuit against Unisys and Rockwell Shuttle Operations, alleging harassment after they reported safety concerns within space shuttle programs.

In 1998, Unisys agreed to a $2.25 million settlement after being accused of providing refurbished computer parts instead of new ones to federal agencies, breaching contract terms. That same year, alongside Lockheed Martin, the company paid $3.15 million to resolve claims of price inflation on spare parts sold to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Unisys faced allegations in 2005 related to overbilling labor hours under a Transportation Security Administration contract; however, the company denied any misconduct.

In 2007, an FBI investigation examined cybersecurity issues at the Department of Homeland Security involving Unisys. The company refuted these accusations and submitted evidence countering the claims.

Also in 2007, following a court ruling regarding misrepresentation, a federal judge mandated that Unisys reinstate lifetime retiree medical benefits for former Burroughs Corporation employees. That year, Unisys also lost a trademark infringement lawsuit against Visible Systems Corporation, resulting in limitations on its use of certain trademarks.

In 2010, Unisys Hungary unlawfully dismissed a Workers' Union representative who raised concerns about unpaid overtime; the Labour Court ordered compensation and payment of outstanding wages.