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A step by step guide to modernize your legacy applications Part 2: The complete blueprint to revamp your legacy applications
A step by step guide to modernize your legacy applications Part 2: The complete blueprint to revamp your legacy applications

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In the last blog, we explored multiple facets related to the application modernization service including the purpose of this vital endeavor, the technologies that enable you to transform your legacy applications factors that you need to consider before implementing a modernization initiative.


We also covered the first step that you need to take during your modernization journey which involves building a business case and identifying the goals of modernization. The business case usually involves one or more of the following aspects:

  • Unlocking the value of data in your legacy applications
  • Enhancing security
  • Ensuring regulatory compliance
  • Protecting the reputation of your brand

That being said, let’s dive deeper into the modernization blueprint and uncover the remaining steps involved in it!

The complete modernization blueprint to revolutionize your legacy applications

Step one: Consider the resources available to you

Application modernization is an investment and will generate expenses related to development workload and software fees, but such a transformation requires additional resources you might not have considered.

You will need to train your IT team in the new technology, hire additional staff or outsource work to competent people who have the right skillset. 

After the technical team becomes acclimatized to the new system, the next step will be to onboard the users and help them understand the tool. Although they’ll need some time to learn it at the beginning, it will save time and costs in the long run. 

If your modernization entails not only purely technical aspects but also business operations and the work culture that prevails in your organization, it will require leadership participation and management support.

Finally, when it comes to resource allocation, be sure to carefully plan your budget and time. 

Step two: Define your modernization strategy

Gartner has identified seven legacy application modernization options and ranked them by ease of implementation. A simpler analysis would be to choose among the following common options while taking cost into consideration:

  1. Re-platform – Change the technology stack and leave the application as is.
  2. Re-architect – Recreate the application and re-platform the technology stack, which could be very expensive and time-consuming.
  3. Refactor – Re-design and optimize the application, if the technology stack has already been modernized.

While devising its strategy, your enterprise architecture team must strive to mitigate any risk from legacy application modernization. Instead of modernizing across the entire organization, they can select a project or business unit with limited exposure in case of problems. They should identify opportunities to provide some value to the business while learning key lessons along the way that they can then apply to the next modernization project.

Step three: Decide how you’ll approach modernization

<br>The last step before kick-off is to craft a plan with a prioritized list of short- and long-term performance indicators. If you’re not planning to manage all initiatives personally, assign owners and make them accountable for the delivery of their respective KPIs.The best way to start your app modernization journey is code review. It’s an effective way to clean up the existing code base, fix bugs, and identify areas that need improvement. 

Another useful modernization method is a UX audit, which analyzes behavioral, quantitative, and qualitative data about the system usage, and provides actionable advice about the real state of things, avoiding assumptions at all costs.

 

Step four: Determine the architecture

Once your enterprise architecture team chooses the right strategy for your business, the next step is to figure out the optimal architecture at three main levels: application, database and platform/server.

  • Do you want the platform/server in your data center for greater control, or in the cloud to reduce capital expenditure (CapEx) and increase operating expenditure (OpEx)?
  • If the application runs well as it is, do you wish to opt for a less-expensive, open-source database like MySQL or Postgres? That will entail re-platforming the application to run on the new database.
  • Do you want to move both the application and the database to the cloud instead of your data center? That entails greater expense in the short term for lower IT headcount in the long term.
  • Do you opt for a hybrid cloud, mixing public cloud services and existing data center resources? Or do you distribute your assets among multiple cloud providers?

Although these decisions are in the purview of the enterprise architect, they have ramifications for the business as well. A crucial element of legacy application modernization is accelerating value for the business — the value of your company’s innovative applications and services, and the value of your company’s data. 

To accelerate value, the architecture you select must support automated processes and technologies like DevOps, DataOps and other pipeline delivery mindsets.

Step five: Incorporate flexibility into your plan and prepare for constant change

Organizations today are exposed to constant change facilitated by consumers, competitors, the economic landscape, and the opportunities created by evolving technologies. The average application has a lifespan of 6-8 years.

Legacy software today is typically monolithic in design, locking organizations into hard-to-update applications. Today’s modern digital landscape requires greater agility to roll out new features or capabilities and to scale as needed. 

Choosing the right modernization approach is about choosing the greatest flexibility to adapt to change. Software that has been refactored or rearchitected can empower you to adapt effectively to change and meet the future needs of your organization. 

Choose wisely and approach an excellent modernization partner!

Most organizations are not building or modernizing applications all the time and it’s quite simply not their core focus. Internal teams may lack the skills for the “new” environment, requiring training to even use a new system.

You would be well-advised to seek the services and knowledge of a trusted software partner to power your application modernization services. Hakuna Matata can be that partner for your business: Our proven experience coupled with an agile development process can work wonders for your legacy applications and give them a makeover.

 


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A techno-management professional by qualification, Genga found his calling in sales and marketing early into his career. His role involves leading a team to professionals to build & deliver innovative digital solutions through technologies like AI and IOT.

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