Software modernization is the transfer of data from an old system to a new one in order to update the architecture, underlying technology and design. This is necessary to speed up and improve the security of the company’s internal processes, and to debug uninterrupted connections with partners for the transfer of business data.
Legacy systems are often critical to the operation of most businesses. Deploying an upgraded system will immediately increase operational risk. Therefore, we are modernizing gradually. When we do preliminary analysis, the system is completely legacy code. We then proceed to integrate the updates step by step and test them until the update is ready. This allows the company to remain fully operational during the legacy modernization services period.
How does the modernization process go
First of all, we analyze the current bespoke software and the value of the company. We then compare the current quality of the software and the potential budget to develop a plan for the positive change that will come from the software update.
Next, we proceed with the step-by-step implementation:
• Conducting a conference with your staff from the IT sector: developers, programmers, system administrators, testers, and other employees.
• Determining the exact upgrade requirements. They are divided into 4 categories: what users need, what the system needs, what limitations have arisen due to obsolescence, and what necessary functions are not yet used.
• Creation of a business case for the upgrade. So that the allocated budget as a result of the renewal can ensure the growth of the necessary indicators.
• Study of the architectural design of the program. Often, several teams take part in the development, the documentation is significantly outdated, and sometimes it takes time to understand the code. Before you start upgrading, you need to have a thorough understanding of your current system.
System modernization and updating
Timely execution of updates will help to avoid negative consequences:
• development of the information system according to the requirements of the business only through its own developments;
• an increase in the number of our own developments only leads to the installation of notes and updates, eliminates errors and necessary to comply with legal requirements. Over time, installing such updates becomes more and more time consuming;
• increase in the cost of maintaining information systems;
• end of support for manufacturers of legacy baseline systems;
• lowering the overall level of the security system.
Why is the software obsolete?
The software is created to solve specific business problems according to existing requirements based on selected technologies. Based on this, we can conclude that deprecation occurs:
• due to changes in requirements;
• due to the impossibility of implementing new tasks within the framework of the old technology;
• due to lack of software support.
Lack of software support
There is another case of software obsolescence: when a software module is used that is no longer supported by the developer and, due to an OS update, it stops working. This is a rare case, but it does happen. And if the module is really relevant and necessary, it should be upgraded to be compatible with the new software version.
