ArticlesApplication modernization is an umbrella under which different strategies fall. Here, we will focus on legacy application modernization, which involves transferring applications, databases, and workloads from one environment to another.
Application modernization is the talk of the town as it comes with so many advantages to offer. This is also backed up by industry projections, with the market expected to surpass 65 billion dollars by 2032.
However, many businesses still rely on legacy infrastructure, which is detrimental to their growth – especially when the application performs business-critical workloads.
Application modernization with modern platforms paves the way forward, keeping the enterprise competitive with new-age businesses.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about application modernization for legacy systems, from benefits to best practices – so that you can better understand and implement your modernization plan.
Simply put, legacy application modernization is moving the application from a legacy environment to a modern platform – either on-premises or in the cloud. Many consider it a method for converting monolithic applications into microservice-based cloud applications.
The process involves migrating older programs, databases, applications, and frameworks to a more advanced, reliable, scalable and cost-effective platform.
In the modern era, discussion of application modernization revolves around migrating monolithic, on-premises apps to cloud-based systems (using microservices and DevOps) for faster, more efficient releases.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to application modernization. You can choose from a wide array of modernization approaches based on your current infrastructure and the outcomes you wish to achieve.
When moving to the cloud, choose projects yielding improved customer experience and ROI through speed, performance and scalability.
Out of many reasons, the primary ones are risks and costs. Here are the reasons why legacy application modernization is the need of the hour:
Legacy hardware is outdated and can fail anytime soon. Keeping it invites unplanned downtime and puts your business continuity at stake.
Initiate application modernization as soon as the cost of keeping them outweighs the cost of modernizing them. This way, you will be able to spend your funds on priority projects.
Without regular patches and fixes, Legacy infrastructure can become a favorite target for cyberattacks.
This happens when vendors shut down or phase out technology. Without support, you won’t get patches or updates. You will also lack technical help if issues arise.
Traditional applications often struggle to integrate with modern technologies. Thanks to application modernization, enterprises can achieve seamless integration, improving efficiency.
Let’s look at the five stages of successful application modernization and the best practices for each stage.
This allows you to spot strengths, weaknesses, and even areas for improvement.
Then, build a plan with your organization’s goals in mind. Think about cost, risk tolerance and timelines.
Be specific about what you have now and your desired result. Minimize any ambiguity during the modernization process.
Once your list is created, plot each application out on a grid. Then, assign ease/difficulty on one side and probable value increment post modernization on the other.
The most important step in the planning phase is making the right choice of modernization strategy. It is what can make or break a successful migration.
Here are the 5 R’s of legacy application modernization:
Popularly known as lift and shift, rehosting involves shifting legacy applications to a different environment without changing the codebase. Consequently, legacy applications can run unmodified as they would in the original environment.
The best part? It is the quickest, least resource-intensive, and most economical way to modernize legacy applications. Hence, it can be an ideal choice for enterprises that wish to modernize without rearchitecting their legacy applications.
Refactoring involves reorganizing and improving existing code to boost performance and maintainability without extensively changing its core functionalities. This approach helps make an application run more efficiently.
It involves a complete redesign of the application’s architecture to meet current standards without rebuilding it from scratch. Here, the legacy application is divided into smaller and independent components. Additionally, it prepares your application for further refinement and makes it future-ready.
Replatforming entails changing the existing infrastructure and moving the application to a different platform. This way, organizations can expect a performance boost. At first impression, the strategy might sound like rehosting, but it is not. Unlike rehosting, replatforming involves some sort of code changes.
If your legacy application is so outdated that you are unsure whether any approach (full-scale migration or a small tweak) will suffice, replacing your application is the way to go. Though it can give you a fresh start, you can expect potential disruptions during the transition.
Still on the fence? Wondering how do you choose the right strategy?
Here’s the thing: do you want no change, complete change, or a minimal change to your application? Are you looking for a quick transition, or are you ready to invest time? Can you afford some downtime during the transition, or are you looking for a disruption-free strategy? Do you have a considerable budget for this migration, or are you seeking a cost-effective approach?
Since it does not change the application, lift and shift is the quickest, most affordable, and frictionless strategy of all. The other options involve costs, risks, and varying levels of disruption. Therefore, choose based on your specific requirements.
A solid app modernization plan helps reduce the risk of mistakes. However, be prepared for the unexpected. In any business, things can go wrong. Instead of hoping problems won’t happen, be ready when they do.
A good way to manage risk is the “What if…” method. List as many potential issues as possible. Don’t hold back! The more challenges you address now, the smoother disaster recovery will be if any arise.
Lastly, many companies lack the resources to handle legacy app modernization in-house. Therefore, the crucial step is selecting the right modernization partner.
Modernize critical components first. Ensure accuracy and integrity of data throughout the application migration process.
End users play a key role in hands-on testing to confirm the new system or environment meets their requirements.
To minimize disruption, modernization approaches like lift and shift should be considered as they do not affect existing users. Focus on enhancing the user interface and experience.
Regularly monitor compliance with financial regulations to stay up-to-date. Implement auditing mechanisms to track transactions and system activities.
This step entails ensuring the new environment works fine. Make sure system components are regularly checked so that errors can be fixed, and your organization can maintain optimal performance. Collect feedback from end users to resolve any remaining issues.
During the modernization process, many enterprises get off track. This is where best practices come in handy.
Clearly, legacy application modernization liberates you from the constraints of outdated environments and prepares you to compete with modern businesses.
Stromasys can help you get there. That too, without risking your critical processes or spending a lot of time and money.
Charon by Stromasys is the leading legacy hardware emulator that not only moves your applications to on-premise platforms but also empowers you to leverage modern platforms like the cloud.
Charon offers the following proven benefits:
Discover more about Charon and see how it can actually improve your ROI.
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