Do you have great legacy applications that don’t seem to appeal to the modern market, even though they work just as well as they always have?

Are you wondering how to modernize your legacy applications? Don’t worry; we know how difficult it can be when your legacy apps have performance issues (or an image problem!). We’ll show you how to successfully modernize legacy applications for the 2023 market and beyond.

Why Modernize Legacy Applications?

Legacy systems arise when applications start presenting the following common challenges:

• Increased maintenance and update difficulties, resulting in higher IT costs in terms of time and personnel.
• Code bloat or patched integrations that can cause performance issues, instability, or scaling bottlenecks.
• Monolithic applications or undocumented code elements with excessive complexity make it challenging for new IT staff to comprehend.
• Third-party components of the application that may no longer receive support.
• Incompatibility with newer systems, hindering proper interaction.
• Lack of agility to adapt to evolving customer needs.
• Potential security or compliance risks.

If you experience any issues, legacy app modernization is required.

How To Modernize Your Legacy Applications

There are several legacy application modernization strategies you can follow, but we’ve found one that really works. Here are the key steps to modernize legacy applications in your business:

1. Take a critical look at your legacy application

Take a closer look at your legacy systems and assess them against six key drivers of application modernization. If your application is hindering business success, increasing costs, or posing risks, it’s time to consider modernization. The more drivers that apply, the greater the potential benefits of modernizing.

2. Identify the problems

Identify the specific issues and challenges your legacy system presents to users. Understand both its shortcomings and strengths, as this knowledge will guide your modernization approach. By pinpointing the friction points, you can develop targeted solutions.

3. Modernize

There are several ways you can approach this. You can wrap or encapsulate the legacy application and access it as a service via API. This approach allows for future expansion with microservices. You can also “lift and shift” the application components to new infrastructure without major modifications. This approach is often used for cloud migration, and it offers a quick solution.

Alternatively, move the existing code to a new platform while preserving its structure, features, and functions, or optimize the code by restructuring it and addressing technical debt and outdated components. This approach enhances the software’s efficiency.

Sometimes you may need to alter the code significantly to shift to a new architecture with improved capabilities. It’s not easy, but it offers greater flexibility and scalability down the road. Some businesses design to redesign or rewrite the application from scratch while maintaining its original scope and specifications. Yes, this offers a fresh start, but it can be expensive. Another expensive option, but a plausible one, is to retire the legacy application altogether and embark on a comprehensive product development process to find a suitable replacement. Again, this isn’t easy or affordable and may not be an option for you.

Re-platforming, refactoring, and rearchitecting are the most commonly employed approaches.

4. Weigh up the options

Consider factors such as workload, architecture, cost (both for modernization and ongoing operations), risk, operations, and security when selecting the modernization approach. Prioritize these factors based on their importance to your organization, and consider the value of features like scalability and agility in your decision-making process.

5. Plan for growth

Select a modernization approach that offers flexibility and adaptability to accommodate future changes and emerging technologies. Legacy software often lacks the agility required in today’s dynamic digital landscape. Refactored or rearchitected software is better suited to meet evolving needs and facilitate future growth.

6. Partner with the best software team

Engage a trusted software partner with expertise in digital transformation and experience in re-engineering technology, systems, and processes early on. Look for a partner who embraces Agile and DevOps practices, as these methodologies can expedite the time-to-market for your modernization project.

7. Keep iterating

Throughout the modernization process, continuously test and optimize the application to address any hosting, software licensing, connectivity, or performance issues. Iterate and refine the application to ensure a smooth transition and optimal performance, adapting it to changing demands.

Now you know how to modernize your legacy applications! Which route will you take?

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