Why should you replace legacy software and how do you get started?
In a world where digitalisation is accelerating, it is crucial for companies that their software evolves with the changing market and changing business needs. Proper maintenance of your software is incredibly important in this regard.
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If you don't keep this up to date, keeping software up-to-date becomes increasingly difficult. Such older versions are called legacy software. And while this software was once reliable and effective, after too much elapsed time, it is more likely to be an obstacle to growth, efficiency and competitiveness. We'd like to give you some background on why replacing legacy software is essential for your organisation's future success.
What is legacy software?
Legacy software is the collective term for older software programmes or systems in use within an organisation. In itself, this is not a problem. At least, if the software is well maintained, the technology is still supported and new business needs are not hindered by technological limitations. When you find that your organisation can no longer keep up because your software is written with older technology, you have an issue to solve.
The challenges of legacy software
- High maintenance costs: Maintaining and repairing legacy software is often expensive and time-consuming, especially when there is a lack of specialised knowledge.
- Security risks: Older software can be vulnerable to security problems because it may no longer be updated with the latest security patches and upgrades.
- Integration problems: Legacy systems can be difficult to integrate with more modern technologies and software, making it difficult to share data or streamline processes with newer systems.
- Limited scalability: Legacy software often represents an obstacle to the growth of your business, as it is challenging to maintain the efficiency and performance of your legacy software as your business grows.
The benefits of modern software solutions
- Scalability: Cloud-based solutions offer the flexibility to scale up or down based on your organisation's needs, allowing you to grow without large investments in infrastructure.
- Advanced security: Modern software prioritises data protection and privacy, with regular updates and patches to keep your systems safe from emerging threats.
- Integration and collaboration: New software solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with other tools and platforms, optimising data sharing and collaboration within your organisation.
How do you start replacing legacy software?
There are quite a few things to consider when modernising your software. First of all, you need to make a solid analysis of your current architecture. What dependencies, data flows and integrations are there with other systems? And also: which functionalities are essential for smooth operations?
The analysis is followed by data migration. You need to migrate all data - both structured and unstructured data - to the new systems. Next, it is important that you clean up this data. After all, in a new system you do not want to be confronted with duplicates or errors.
For a smooth integration, you use well-designed and documented APIs. This way, you simplify the integration process with other systems. It can be useful to use middleware for this purpose. This way, you streamline the transition from legacy software to the new systems. Do not forget to check the new systems via test automation: the software must function properly.
And last but not least: make sure your employees get the necessary support and guidance when learning to work with the new systems. They will have to work with the new interface and functionalities on a daily basis. That is why manuals and workshops are indispensable tools to promote acceptance!
Kunlabora unburdens you when replacing legacy software
So there is a lot involved in replacing legacy software. But don't stress: you don't have to do this yourself. At Kunlabora, we unburden you throughout the entire process. We improve the efficiency of your business processes and optimise the scalability of your modern software solution. The result? Long-term success with accompanying competitive advantages. Sounds promising? Then be sure to contact our experts for a no-obligation consultation.
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