Top Strategies For Modernizing Legacy Applications

Quick Summary: In this blog, we will discuss the top strategies used in modernizing legacy applications that will help your business flourish with 2x efficiency, while taking reference and guidance from some examples and real-life case studies. Read one to look further and understand more about Legacy application modernization and its services. 

In the tech world, where speed, agility, and innovation are so important, there are many businesses that are still relying on legacy applications. Although these systems may still work, and you may think, why shift to other systems or perform an upgrade if there is already a system working on our side? 

But the truth is, your company may be falling behind your competitors, which can also limit you from reaching your true potential and growth.

Why Modernize Your Legacy Applications?

Legacy application modernization includes updating and redefining outdated software systems and then updating them according to current business needs in order to better align with business needs and technological advancements. This process also includes various steps, like rehosting, replatforming, refactoring, and more. We will get to know more about them further. Overall, the main goal is to bring efficiency, boost productivity, give a new outlook to the systems while reducing costs and mitigating risks.

According to MarketsandMarkets, the application modernization services market is projected to grow from $19.82 billion in 2024 to $39.62 billion by 2029, at a notable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%. This shows how quickly companies are adopting modernization services and recognizing their growth.

Key Strategies for Legacy Application Modernization 

1. Rehosting

Rehosting includes moving applications to a new infrastructure without touching or altering their code. It can also be called the lift and shift technique, just as simple as that. This approach offers a smooth and quick transition to the cloud, helping to reduce infrastructure costs and improve scalability. However, there is one catch: it does not contain cloud-native features, which can further limit long-term benefits. 

2. Replatforming 

Replatforming requires making minimal changes to applications to optimize them for a new platform. This strategy helps in balancing both speed and optimization to benefit from cloud environments without extensive cloud modifications. 

3. Refactoring 

It involves the restructuring of existing code in order to improve performance and maintainability without making any further changes to its external behavior. This approach is highly ideal for integrating modern technologies like microservices and containers, improving scalability and agility. 

4. Rebuilding 

Rebuilding is the kind of approach in which the application is developed from scratch while preserving its own core functionalities. This approach allows for the incorporation of the latest technologies and practices.

Tools and Technologies for Application Modernization 

Impressive modernization relies on various tools and technologies that are designed to facilitate the transition from legacy systems to modern environments. Some of the important application modernization tools include:

• Docker: Helps in facilitating containerization, allowing other applications to run smoothly within the environment. 
• Kubernetes: Helps in managing containerized applications at scale, automating deployment, operations, etc. 
• AWS Migration Hub: This tool helps track the progress of application migrations to AWS, which is helpful in providing visibility into the migration process. 
• Azure Migrate: It helps in assisting in migrating applications to Microsoft Azure, offering different tools for assessment and migration. 
• Google Cloud Migrate: This tool supports migration to Google Cloud Platform by simplifying the transition to cloud environments. 

Related Case Studies: Successful Legacy Modernization 

Insurance Company Modernizes Mainframe Systems 

A leading insurance firm was facing problems with its mainstream systems; we helped it transition from its mainstream systems to a cloud-based platform using Microsoft Azure, resulting in reduced operating costs and improved agility. This modernization also eliminated the need for maintaining outdated hardware, giving them power over their systems.

Healthcare Provider Enhances Patient Data Security

A healthcare organization also modernized its legacy systems by complying with industry regulations and protecting its patients’ sensitive data. The updated systems helped in improving operational efficiency and ensuring compliance. 

Application Modernization Strategy: Best Practices 

1. Assess Current Systems: Review the existing applications to identify modernization needs.
2. Define Objectives: Setting clear goals in order to achieve modernization in a perfect manner while maintaining a good flow. 
3. Choose the Right Strategy: Select the perfect modernization approach that aligns with your business goals and objectives to achieve maximum outcome.
4. Select Appropriate Tools: Take help of tools that facilitate the chosen modernization strategy. 
5. Implement Incrementally: Adopt a phased approach that can be helpful in minimizing disruptions. 
6. Monitor and Optimize: Continuously look for changes and performance of modernized applications and then make necessary changes accordingly. 

Conclusion

As learned from the above information, it is clear that Legacy application modernization is an important and strategic necessity in today’s technological advancements. By adopting it into your systems and using the right tools and technologies, organizations can redefine their outdated systems into more agile, efficient, and secure applications in order to meet current and future business needs. By engaging in legacy application modernization services and using the right legacy application modernization tools, it is evident that companies can see their transitions effectively from legacy systems to modern cloud environments.