SLK named Major Contender for AI app transformation

SLK, an Altimetrik company, has been named a Major Contender in Everest Group's Application Transformation Services for AI-enablement PEAK Matrix Assessment 2025, underscoring growing demand for modernisation projects that prepare corporate technology estates for artificial intelligence.

The assessment evaluates providers that refit legacy applications and architectures so that organisations can embed AI more widely. Everest Group said enterprises are shifting from pilot projects towards broader deployment of generative AI and automation, which is driving a rise in spending on application transformation.

Everest Group's analysis links this trend with a move away from monolithic, legacy systems. It highlights a preference for cloud-native, data-rich environments that support machine learning models and API-based integration across business lines.

SLK has positioned its Application Transformation Services around what it describes as an AI-first vision. The company focuses on creating application environments that can host AI features at scale and across multiple functions, rather than on isolated use cases.

The report cites SLK's development of several in-house tools. These include AiWiz, TestAI, Smart Data Governance, FastAPI and GHC Insights. The tools support different stages of transformation work, from initial discovery and design through to deployment.

Everest Group notes that SLK runs those tools within a single environment. This structure seeks to reduce fragmentation across project phases and align data, testing and governance with the target architecture.

The assessment also identifies SLK's work in specific verticals. The firm targets enterprises in banking, insurance and manufacturing, where it has built sector-specific accelerators for use cases such as payments, smart factory operations and quote-to-cash processes.

Everest Group points to SLK's track record of domain expertise and long-standing client relationships in these sectors. It says this experience supports its positioning as a modernisation partner.

AI reshapes core systems

SLK executives describe the recognition as a sign of how AI is reshaping the central systems of large organisations, rather than only peripheral processes.

"As AI moves from isolated efficiency solutions to transforming the very core of enterprise products and services, organisations are being driven to modernise their application landscapes," said Chandrashekar Surbhat, Sr. VP-AI & Digital, SLK, an Altimetrik company.

"This recognition reflects how we are helping clients navigate this shift by revamping both business and technology architectures so they can unlock AI's full potential," said Surbhat.

Everest Group frames this shift as both a technological and organisational challenge. It links the need for AI-ready architectures with a growing sense of urgency among large enterprises.

"The rising enterprise urgency to scale AI beyond pilots, coupled with the need for modern, AI-ready cores, is fuelling investments in application transformation. By enabling businessess to modernise legacy systems into cloud-native, data-rich and API-first architectures, application transformation is emerging as a pivotal driver of AI adoption at scale," added Ankit Gupta, Vice President at Everest Group.

Gupta said the research firm views SLK's integrated tooling and sector focus as important factors in its assessment.

"SLK Software emerges as a Major Contender in Everest Group's Application Transformation Services for AI-enablement PEAK Matrix Assessment 2025, supported by proprietary in-house tools that enable end-to-end transformation, from discovery and design through deployment, within a cohesive environment. Sector-specific accelerators across banking, insurance, and manufacturing, combined with deep domain expertise and long-standing client relationships, position SLK as a trusted modernisation partner."

Dual transformation approach

SLK describes its method for AI-enablement as a dual approach. One stream focuses on AI-infused transformation, which adds AI-driven tools and insights to existing systems. The other focuses on AI-native transformation, which builds new applications with embedded intelligence.

The company says this structure allows it to address current constraints while creating new digital services. It includes work on automated discovery for legacy applications, which applies reverse engineering techniques to uncover system logic and dependencies. This information supports subsequent modernisation steps and migration to new architectures.

The firm's engineers also work on data governance, testing automation and interface redesign as part of these projects. The in-house tools sit on top of this work and provide a consistent framework across engagements.

Integration with Altimetrik

SLK operates as part of Altimetrik following an acquisition. The combined organisation aims to link SLK's background in intelligent enterprise, infrastructure management, automation, quality engineering, digital operations and industry-focused solutions with Altimetrik's work in data and AI, digital business, product and platform engineering, cloud and modernisation and go-to-market services.

This alignment seeks to expand the group's innovation ecosystem and international reach. It also widens its sector focus beyond SLK's historical base in insurance, financial services, investment management and manufacturing.

With the integration, SLK plans to increase activity in healthcare, life sciences and retail. The company expects AI-enablement and application transformation demand in these industries to follow similar patterns to those seen in financial and industrial markets.

SLK has operated for around 25 years and has received workplace and people management recognition from organisations such as Great Place To Work, Brandon Hall, Mercer | Mettl-HRedge Awards and SHRM. Leadership says this culture supports its focus on applied innovation and automation.

The company and Altimetrik now intend to build on the Everest Group assessment as they pursue larger-scale AI-first transformation projects across their combined client base.