More and more participants in big serious businesses are thinking about modernizing digital control systems of basic process management. Experts warn that all old software is not fully scalable and decentralized. Legacy system modernization allows you to achieve efficient business, increase profitability and reduce costs.
The main features of the legacy system
Legacy systems are software that contains old settings and an interface that is difficult to manage. Such products need to be replaced, but are out of use due to extremely important needs for them, and even if there is no budget for their modernization.
In many cases, it is not possible to change such an outdated system. Developers often offer compromise solutions – the modernization of intellectual products. Despite the increased risks in data encryption and the appearance of errors, the upgraded product works much more efficiently.
Why is it recommended to upgrade legacy systems?
Programmers and engineers say there are 5 main reasons why you need to modernize your software to improve business efficiency:
- With technology changing, maintaining an old system can become more expensive every year. This will lead to the fact that at a certain stage, acquiring a new product can cost significantly less than continuing to operate an outdated system.
- Many enterprises seek to rejuvenate the staff; as young workers significantly increase efficiency. When hiring new staff, most young people don’t have the skills to work with old software. At the same time, it is very difficult to find courses for training such specialists, as the educational system is being modernized along with IT technology.
- Difficulty in providing qualified support in the market.
- Older systems are not IoT-oriented, their architecture is inflexible, and it is almost impossible to install an upgrade on them.
- Everyone knows that with the development of the digital technology market, the risk of cyberattacks will increase significantly. In this regard, developers are introducing new security modules. For obsolete systems, such programs are practically not created, which greatly affects security.
When upgrading, developers face the most difficult task – to find a compromise between the maximum preservation of the functions of the old product and the installation of as many new comfortable settings as possible, as well as the expansion of a scalable system.
What are the methods for upgrading legacy systems?
Programmers put into practice several effective methods for upgrading obsolete systems, each of which has its own advantages, disadvantages, and technical features:
- Revolutionary method. Characterized by a monolithic architecture that is not flexible. In this technique, the old system is replaced with a new one with all add-ons. This work requires a complete shutdown of the system and the suspension of customer service, the work of employees.
- Evolutionary method. All new settings are integrated into the existing platform, and its complete removal from the processors is not required. This method is used when it is not possible to completely shut down the system due to the continuity of the process, but at the same time, it shows only temporary efficiency.
Both methods are used by programmers to upgrade legacy systems. The prerogative of choice depends mainly on the wishes of the customer and the technical capabilities of the intellectual product.
Approaches to modernizing an outdated system
The main task of the developer when upgrading the system is to update all the old algorithms, minimize the risks of the user, and also take into account all existing restrictions. Most programmers work under the following types of system upgrades:
- Encapsulation. The simplest and cheapest way to upgrade, in which all obsolete data is rewritten to certain sectors. Reading and editing information is available via IP. This method temporarily solves the problem of the user but leads to significant limitations in the organization of the storage of processed information.
- Rehosting. As a rule, it is carried out with the transfer of the completed algorithm to the cloud service with the possibility of their further scaling. The transition from a real environment to a virtual environment significantly expands the functionality of the software while maintaining all the previous functions.
- Replatforming. When changing the platform, all the old interfaces remain in the system, which does not require complex re-adaptation of customers or employees to the workflow. This adaptation method is suitable for Internet banking, social services, which involve storing a large amount of personal user data.
- Refactoring. A complex upgrade that involves data transformation with a partial change in the software code. When working with an updated system, problems may arise, as the command set changes.
- Rearchitecture. Global system upgrade, which changes the software code, as well as its architecture. Suitable for those business owners who previously used a monolithic architecture, but, due to the expansion of the scope of their activities, they preferred to switch to microservices.
- Recovery. One of the most effective modernization methods. The developer starts with a complete redesign of the system, according to the technical task, after which he creates a new code and integrates the program with partial preservation of the architecture, algorithms, and platform. Usually, the system is moving to cloud services using the technology of the Internet of Things. As a result of this approach, the customer gets more opportunities for business and scaling, and the personal data of users is reliably protected.
- Complete replacement. A revolutionary approach to modernization. Efficiency depends on the correct removal of the old system with the maximum complete preservation of the databases. The new software is installed on the server; after which it is debugged in such a way that the program can easily recognize all old files. The interface, architecture, and efficiency, with this technique, change completely.
Before upgrading the system, the consumer draws up a technical task, in which he indicates all his requirements, wishes for improving the performance of the software. Based on the analysis of this information, as well as depending on the type of business or the customer’s production details, the developer makes the right decision to upgrade.
In order to choose the correct and effective methodology for upgrading legacy systems, users should collect all the shortcomings of existing software and determine which new settings are needed to improve business efficiency. Thus, business owners need to start not from the methodology of work, architecture, or design features of the programs, but, first of all, from the result and planned profitability from production activities.
