Modernizing Legacy System: Why Do It and How to Do It?
Businesses are often reluctant to switch from their existing data strategies to updated systems. The costs and time invested in the whole process are among the major concerns. However, using outdated legacy systems is holding your business back in more ways than you can imagine. While migrating to a new legacy system is not a simple import & export process, in this blog we’ll delve into some tips that will help you do the same.
What is a Legacy System?
A legacy system is an outdated system, software, or technology that is continuously being used because it still performs the functions it was designed to do. However, these systems do not have proper support and maintenance and limited growth access.
Why Do Legacy Systems Need Modernization?
Here are some of the benefits of managing your legacy system through modernization:
- Improved System Adaptability
Outdated systems are unable to integrate new updates and features. Modernization allows legacy systems to incorporate unique features that offer better functionalities. Consequently, organizations can offer better experiences to customers.
- Strengthened Security
Security risks are among the primary concerns for organizations. Modernizing the legacy system assists in mitigating security risks, and safeguarding crucial data.
- Optimized IT Resources
Freeing up IT resources can improve overall business efficiency and performance. Modernizing systems allows IT to focus more on valuable tasks rather than dealing with the inefficiencies of old systems.
- Boosted Productivity
Companies using legacy systems spend a lot of their time fixing issues related to outdated systems. However, an effective modernization plan can help solve these issues and boost overall productivity. With systems more streamlined and updated, employees work smarter, thereby delivering better outcomes.
- Improved Return on Investment
Modernization of legacy systems will help organizations generate more revenue. A seamless process, improved productivity, reduced downtime, and secure transactions will help in improving the financial status of the company.
Also Read: Why Legacy database is a roadblock to Digital Transformation?
Tips to Manage Legacy Systems
With the rapid changes in technology, businesses are continuously faced with the challenge of maintaining legacy systems. Here are some effective tips to manage legacy systems and stay on top of the game.
- Assess Your Objectives
In the assessment process, you must consider the business goal, execution time, stakeholders, and areas of business that could be affected. Questions such as – do you wish to improve productivity or income, does your goal involve cost reduction, and what metrics you use to evaluate the progress must be addressed beforehand. Organizations must create a modernization of legacy system plans that assists business goals and objectives. It’s important to have a baseline that includes a tracker, help desk ticketing system, and documentation.
- Build an Organized Pathway for Migration
Depending on the modernization objective, an organization may need to rehost, re-platform, refactor, repurchase, retire, or retain the existing apps. The team needs to assess and categorize their apps in the above-mentioned categories before starting the migration process.
Furthermore, the experience of the current staff with the migration process, models, and tools must be addressed. Employees may need training to become accustomed to the new technologies. Additionally, there must be consulting and support services to help them during the transition.
- Examine Applications
When it comes to modernization of the legacy systems, there are multiple factors to consider including:
- Prioritization: Depending on business goals and needs, consider the applications that need to be prioritized in the modernization process.
- Mapping: Determine the uses, processes, and automation of each application.
- Performance Analysis: Organizations need to consider the server requirements and usage of each application.
- Data Discovery: Consider the data structure requirements of each application to function.
- Maintenance: Determine the updated and support requirements of the applications in the future.
- Adherence to the Security and Regulatory Requirements
Software updates and security concerns often go hand-in-hand. How do you plan to address these concerns? Organizations have their security structure that must be complied with and reported.
Developers must assess ways to protect apps albeit an operating system. Dynamic application security testing and static application security testing are the two security tests that are generally performed in the modernization process. These tests allow developers to scan various containers for outdated versions, vulnerabilities, and security updates.
Also read: 6 Steps To Overcome Your Business Modernization Challenges
How iLink can help you Modernize your Legacy Systems?
iLink has the experience and required knowledge of legacy and modern technologies to undertake Modernization projects. Our approach has helped us deliver feasible solutions to our customers efficiently and cost-effectively. We believe every business is special and assist our clients with a personal touch so you get exactly what you need!
You can learn more about our modernization approach here.
Reference Links:
https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/7-options-to-modernize-legacy-systems
https://www.rackspace.com/en-in/blog/brief-guide-legacy-system-modernization
https://www.softwebsolutions.com/resources/modernizing-your-legacy-systems.html
https://imaginovation.net/blog/why-businesses-should-modernize-legacy-applications/
