As technology continues to make great strides in the way we manage our day-to-day tasks, businesses must adapt to remain competitive and efficient. Many organisations still rely on legacy applications that were developed years or even decades ago. While these systems may have been effective in the past, they can now pose challenges related to performance, security and integration.
Application modernisation is the process of updating these legacy applications to align with modern technological standards, improving efficiency, security and user experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore what application modernisation is, its benefits and how to best approach it for your organisation.
Defining what application modernisation is
Application modernisation is the transformation of outdated software applications to adopt modern computing approaches, architectures and technologies. It involves strategies such as rehosting, replatforming, refactoring and rebuilding applications to enhance functionality, performance and integration with modern IT ecosystems.
Rather than replacing legacy applications entirely, modernisation allows businesses to retain their core functionalities while upgrading their infrastructure, user experience and security measures.
Why is application modernisation important?
Legacy applications can create significant operational bottlenecks, making it essential for businesses to modernise. Here are five reasons why application modernisation is critical:
- Improves performance and efficiency
Older applications often suffer from slow processing speeds, are prone to system crashes and have high maintenance costs. Modernisation enhances performance by migrating applications to more efficient cloud-based or containerised environments, reducing latency and downtime.
- Enhances security and compliance
Cyber threats continue to evolve, and outdated applications are more vulnerable to security breaches. By modernising applications, businesses can implement stronger encryption, access controls and compliance measures to protect sensitive data and meet regulatory requirements.
- Supports scalability and flexibility
Modern applications are built with scalability in mind, enabling businesses to handle increased workloads without significant infrastructure changes. For example, cloud-native applications allow for seamless scaling as business needs grow.
- Reduces maintenance costs
Maintaining legacy systems can be expensive due to outdated code, hardware dependencies and lack of vendor support. Modernisation helps reduce maintenance costs by migrating applications to more cost-effective environments with automated processes and reduced technical debt.
- Enhances user experience
Users expect fast, intuitive and responsive applications. Modernised applications improve user experience through updated interfaces, better functionality and integration with newer technologies such as AI, automation and analytics.
Five approaches to application modernisation
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to application modernisation. Different strategies cater to different business needs. However, here are some of the most common approaches:
- Rehosting (lift and shift)
Rehosting involves moving an application from an on-premises environment to the cloud without significant modifications. It is the quickest way to modernise applications, reduce infrastructure costs and improve availability.
- Replatforming
Replatforming involves moving an application to a modern cloud-based platform while making minimal adjustments to optimise performance. This strategy improves scalability and integration without extensive code modifications.
- Refactoring
Refactoring requires minimal restructuring of an application’s code to improve performance, security and maintainability. This style of approach is ideal for businesses looking to optimise applications without completely replacing them.
- Rebuilding
Rebuilding involves developing an application from scratch using modern programming languages, frameworks and architectures such as microservices and serverless computing. This approach provides the highest level of flexibility and future-proofing but requires more time and investment.
- Replacing
In some cases, legacy applications are beyond repair, and replacing them with new, cloud-native solutions is the best option. This allows businesses to leverage the latest technology trends while eliminating outdated and inefficient systems.
Optimise your application modernisation with Logicalis
If it’s been a while since your organisation last updated its applications, chances are, it could be ready for an upgrade. By modernising legacy applications, organisations can stay competitive in a digital-first world while reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.
As a leading provider of corporate digital solutions with decades of experience, Logicalis can help your organisation take a leap towards a more modern way of working. We understand the goals of businesses looking to innovate their technology and are here to walk you through the process. Get in touch today to discover how Logicalis can help modernise your applications for a smarter, more efficient future.