Application Modernization Strategy in 5 Steps

u003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eEfficient software is vital to daily business operations. Legacy applications, on the other hand, are systems that run on outdated technologies and slow down or even block processes within organizations. Once the outdated tech translates to underperformance, best case scenarios mean benchmarks aren’t met and inefficiencies proliferate; worst case, however, involves inability to compete or adapt, and that means extinction over time.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eAnd that is when application modernization comes to the rescue. It aligns existing software with modern business and technical requirements. In order to keep or increase the capabilities and performance of IT systems, it introduces new technologies to the current solutions or replaces them. According to theu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/SIMNET/face6240-1a51-4033-84b7-40cb7aec9edc/UploadedImages/2020_SIM_IT_Trends_Study_-_2021_Comprehensive_Report_-_20201206.pdfu0022u003e2021 “SIM IT Trends Study”u003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003e, replacing/re-platforming legacy apps was one of the ten largest IT investments for companies in 2020, together with cloud computing, cybersecurity, and big data among others.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eApplication modernization is a continuous, incremental process that can come inu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://intexsoft.com/blog/how-application-modernization-can-boost-your-business/u0022u003emany formsu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003e, such as a code review, cloud migration, data modernization, functionality extension, UX audit or redesign. Application modernization strategy usually employs multiple methods. According tou003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/analytics/data-modernization-and-cloud-migration-initiatives.htmlu0022u003eDeloitte’s cloud expertsu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003e, the two most important aspects that companies should embrace are cloud migration and data modernization. However, we need to be aware that each app modernization strategy must be adjusted to the needs of a particular organization.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch2u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eWhy modernize legacy applications?u003c/spanu003eu003c/h2u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eBusinesses must embrace change — it really boils down to adapt, adopt, or perish. Long story short, we modernize legacy software to save money, ensure security, prepare for new business opportunities, or in edge cases fight to survive.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cimg class=u0022alignnone wp-image-8958u0022 src=u0022https://intexsoft.com/app/uploads/2021/12/Data-for-article-min-300×157.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022447u0022 height=u0022234u0022 /u003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eThe problem is real. Dealing with outdated software andu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://www.atlassian.com/agile/software-development/technical-debtu0022u003etechnical debtu003c/au003e u003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003ehamper business adaptability, thus decreasing its competitiveness in the long run. 37% of federal agencies surveyed byu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/PDF-85/Accenture-Decoupling-to-Innovate.pdfu0022u003eAccentureu003c/au003e u003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003estated that technical debt impedes securing government systems and data from cyber threats and attacks, as well as hinders their attempts to improve efficiency. Moreover, four out of ten respondents stated that legacy systems impede them from creating innovative products, services, operating models, and processes quickly.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eIf you’d like to explore why legacy system modernization is key to ensure the performance of any software u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://resources.flexera.com/web/pdf/Research-DP-Manufacturer-Product-EOL-EOS-Report-2018.pdfu0022u003eolder than 5 yearsu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003e, we encourage you to check outu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://intexsoft.com/blog/why-your-legacy-system-is-full-of-hidden-maintenance-costs/u0022u003ethe articleu003c/au003e u003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003ewhere we thoroughly explained the reasons together with some real-world examples.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch2u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eHow to plan an application modernization strategy in 5 stepsu003c/spanu003eu003c/h2u003ernu0026nbsp;rnu003ch3u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eStep 1: Evaluate your legacy applicationu003c/spanu003eu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eStart with a comprehensive analysis of your software environment. What leaps off the page as optimal or acceptable, and what’s subject to improvements, fixes, or should be replaced? There are six primaryu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://www.gartner.com/en/insightsu0022u003edrivers for system modernizationu003c/au003e:rnrnu0026nbsp;rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eBusiness fitu003c/strongu003e: adjusting systems so that they better support a company in addressing business opportunities.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eBusiness valueu003c/strongu003e: optimizing software for best business KPIs completion.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eAgilityu003c/strongu003e: growing an organization’s ability to rapidly adapt to the ever-changing business and IT requirements.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eCostu003c/strongu003e: reducing the development and maintenance expenditures of software systems.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eComplexityu003c/strongu003e: making sure that maintaining the code base is not too expensive and its complexity doesn’t lead to an excessive number of bugs and/or downtime.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eRisku003c/strongu003e: minimizing risk related to the system’s robustness, efficiency, and security.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eThe integrated approach, when change drivers come from both business and IT perspectives, leads toward ensuring optimal results.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch3u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eStep 2: Define modernization goalsu003c/spanu003eu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eFirst and foremost, goals need to come as a byproduct of your business KPIs. For example, au003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://www.netsuite.com/portal/business-benchmark-brainyard/industries/articles/cfo-central/kpis-consulting-services.shtmlu0022u003econsulting firm’s KPIsu003c/au003e u003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eare usually focused on Resource Utilization Rate and Project Margin. When such a company approaches a modernization of its custom employee management software, the goals may be to reduce the time spent on filling a time report or performing administrative tasks or minimize the time needed to assign team members with the right skills to a new project.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eBear in mind that while your application modernization strategy must address flaws of your IT system, it may also take you one step ahead of your competitors.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch3u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eStep 3: Consider available resourcesu003c/spanu003eu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eApplication modernization is an investment. You’re probably aware that it will generate expenses related to development workload and software fees, but such a transformation requires additional resources you might not have considered.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eYou will need to train your IT team in the new technology, hire additional staff or outsource talent with the right skillset. After the technical team is proficient with 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 be more time- and cost-efficient in the long run.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eIf your modernization touches not only purely technical aspects but also business operations and working culture, as agile transformation does, it will requireu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://digital.ai/catalyst-blog/15th-state-of-agile-report-agile-leads-the-way-through-the-pandemic-and-digitalu0022u003eleadership participation and management supportu003c/au003e.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eFinally, when it comes to resource allocation, be sure to carefully plan your budget and time. Reach out to those who have already carried out successful transformations. According to au003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://boomi.com/resources/resources/infographics/the-innovators-shift-to-composable-erp-infographicu0022u003esurvey by Boomiu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003e, the main challenge (66%) of enterprise system modernization is confusion about the total cost of ownership at the outset.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch3u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eStep 4: Decide how you’ll approach modernizationu003c/spanu003eu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eThe last step before kick-off is to create a strategic plan with a prioritized list of short- and long-term measures. If you’re not planning to manage all initiatives personally, make sure you assign owners and make them accountable for the KPIs delivery.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eThe best way to start your app modernization journey isu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://intexsoft.com/blog/code-review-the-beginning-of-your-app-modernization-journey/u0022u003ecode reviewu003c/au003e. u003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eIt’s an efficient way of cleaning up the existing code base, fixing bugs, and identifying improvement areas for the future. 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.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;

u003cspan style=u0022color: #ffffff;u0022u003e…u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #ffffff;u0022u003e…u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eTo adjust your application to new market requirements you may have to extend existing features or develop new ones. UX researchers and business analysts can help to identify your users’ most vital needs, the ones that should be addressed first. Make sure you base your decisions on recommendations backed by facts, not assumptions.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eSometimes you need to migrate the whole application or its parts to a new operating environment. Depending on the scope of the migration, it may be a quite simple fix (like changing a plugin used for internal reporting) or a much larger project (once you’ve determined to move your old-school monolithic app tou003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://aws.amazon.com/microservices/u0022u003emicroservicesu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003e, for example).u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch3u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eStep 5: Modernize!u003c/spanu003eu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eLights, camera, action! Once you start the process, remember to keep an eye on the KPIs. In the meantime check in with your team and other users of the software you’re modernizing (like clients or other business partners). Make sure they understand how they’ll benefit from the changes and receive all the necessary support while onboarding to the new platform.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eTechnology and the way we use it is constantly evolving. Use your first modernization to learn and prepare for what’s next.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch2u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eOur application modernization experienceu003c/spanu003eu003c/h2u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eWe have an extensive expertise in app modernization of software across eCommerce, Telecom and Entertainment industries. Let us introduce you to some of the projects.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch3u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eUpgade of highly loaded data system for Telecom companyu003c/spanu003eu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eThe telecom company had anu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://intexsoft.com/portfolio/highly-loaded-data-system/u0022u003eoutdated billing systemu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003e that could no longer cope with some critical tasks and meet modern requirements. So, they decided to design a new system from scratch. One of the main goals of the system is to store data on all the consumptions and actions of clients. Since the product is also a billing system, it also serves to process and calculate data.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eThis is a Big Data project. A key feature of the system is the storage and processing of large data arrays. The scale of the system can be compared with Spotify. The system processes billions of files per day, and receives approximately 600 thousand records per second.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eIn the conditions of such data volumes, the distributed Cassandra database was used as storage. Several data centers located in different regions were used to ensure data integrity and load balancing.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eAs for billing, the system is not able to issue invoices itself, but it processes the data that is used for this purpose. For processing and calculating the distributed data, the development team used Apache Spark.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eThe system functions as data storage and a billing system for all clients’ spendings and actions. In addition to the fact that all data is stored in a distributed manner, it is processed and stored using microservices. Currently, there are about 20 microservices within the system.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eTo ensure system security, the SFTP protocol, Single Sign-on (SSO) technology, and data encryption are used.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eAs a result, the client got an updated system with the following functionality:u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eInformation management: data collection, processing and aggregation, data reports.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eCalculations: accounting of payments and expenses, recalculation of expenses for issuing a new invoice based on the updated data.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu0026nbsp;rnu003ch3u003ernu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eApplication modernization for online store selling parfumes and cosmeticsu003c/spanu003eu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eTheu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://intexsoft.com/portfolio/web-app-for-parfuemerie-de/u0022u003ee-commerce system of Parfuemerie.deu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003e needed a complete upgrade. Within the project, our dev team had to:u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eprovide support for adaptive design;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eimplement modern and convenient payment methods;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eset up flexible tools to attract more buyers;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eoptimize workflows, such as user registration, ordering, etc.;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eensure secure integration with internal order processing ERP systems;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003efind a flexible solution for the migration of Parfuemerie.de to a new e-commerce system.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eSince the web application is a complex eCommerce system that depends on third-party software, the team thoroughly analyzed the business logic of the integration before the development. Also, the e-commerce system had to provide high automation. So we came up with a solution – a self-healing data exchange.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eAt the first stage of the development, the client offered to choose a new eCommerce system from basic solutions – Shopware, Oxid, and Magento 2. Our team recommendedu003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://intexsoft.com/ecommerce-development-services/magento/u0022u003eMagento 2u003c/au003e u003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eas the most suitable system: it has a large community, a huge plug-in choice, and does not bind a software product to the vendor.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eIntexSoft developers chose a cloud solution with Docker containers as the architecture system. This enabled Parfuemerie.de to be independent of contractors. This solution helped to run the container with the application at any time and in any data center without complex manipulations.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eWe also offered to equip the system with such technical functionality as:u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eleveling and loading the balancing in computer networks at the DNS level;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003edata caching;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eautomation based on distributed sessions;u003c/spanu003ernu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003edetailed monitoring.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eSo, as a result the client got an updated eCommerce web app with the following features:u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eNew CMS: complex migration from a custom made eCommerce CMS to Magento 2 platform;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eResponsive web design;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eIntegrations: Complex integration with the internal ERP system of the client, integration with the installed plugins;u003c/spanu003ernu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eFlexibility: The platform does not require changes to the basic system, and also allows connecting new plugins quickly.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch3u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eFront-end migration for Pocker Calulatoru003c/spanu003eu003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eThe client has previously cooperated with IntexSoft when developing the interactive tool for calculating poker odds made for the largest poker portal which was on Flash. When the client found out about the ending of Flash support they decided to migrate the tool to another technology.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eAlthough the calculator worked well, the technology needed to be updated. When choosing the tech stack, we considered that the web application should be responsive: work stably and look good on all devices (PC, tablets, phones). So our team chose React, as it was the best option to fulfill the requirements.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eThe client also provided us with all the necessary layouts and graphic materials for updating the design of the application. The dev team adapted the design for desktop and mobile devices.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eAs a result, the client got their product updating to new stable technology, functioning just as before.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch2u003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eIt’s high time you update your legacy systemu003c/spanu003eu003c/h2u003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eToday’s economy is anything but stable. Organizations and their software need to be more agile, more effective, and more scalable than ever. Numerous lockdowns over the past two years moved business operations to digital.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eNow, to ensure operational capacity and adaptability, all systems have to be compatible with the latest software and a wide variety of tools (because you never know what you will need next). In retail, transition to the omnichannel business model requires the data to be continuously accessible and up-to-date across all systems and channels. At the same time, clients are very demanding in terms of good UX. Sellers who address these expectations successfully win customer loyalty. And let’s not forget about security. With new security threats emerging daily, databases and applications should be updated with the latest security measures and monitored carefully.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eAt IntexSoft, we can help you plan and execute a custom application modernization strategy. We always start with a thorough analysis of your business needs and end-user requirements to ensure the modernization is successful. Based upon that assessment, we implement relevant solutions, such as cloud migration, software extension, UX audit, re-architecting applications from monolithic to microservice, and more.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003eNeed a helping hand in modernizing your system?u003c/spanu003e u003ca href=u0022https://intexsoft.com/contact-us/u0022u003eDrop us a lineu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #333333;u0022u003e!u003c/spanu003e