Legacy system migration: how to smooth the way

Legacy systems remain firmly embedded in the UK business landscape. For many companies, these aging yet critical technology platforms continue to serve as the backbone of their operations. However, this reliance on legacy systems limits agility, increases operational risks and costs, and compromises service quality. Let’s look at some options.

Understanding and addressing legacy technology

The decision to address a legacy system depends on several factors, including its current usage, planned lifespan, future objectives, its importance to the organization, and potential vulnerabilities.

Neglecting legacy technology can lead to a cascade of problems. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand, plan for, and address legacy systems at both the enterprise architecture level and within the broader “system of systems” framework.

Approaches to Modernising Legacy Technology

There is a range of approaches to ensuring a smooth migration. Modernising legacy systems doesn’t always require a complete overhaul; various strategies can strike an optimal balance between cost, functionality, and risk. Here are some key approaches:

Encapsulate: The encapsulation approach involves creating an interface to allow the legacy system to communicate with modern applications. This preserves the system’s core functionality while enabling integration with new technologies, such as cloud services or AI-driven analytics tools.

Rehosting (Lift and Shift): This method involves moving the legacy system to a new infrastructure without modifying its code or functionality, such as migrating from on-premises servers to a cloud environment. Rehosting can be a quick and cost-effective solution to improve performance, scalability, and availability without major redevelopment.

Re-platforming: Re-platforming entails making minor changes to the legacy system’s code to leverage a modern infrastructure. For example, upgrading an application to be compatible with a cloud-based environment rather than maintaining physical servers. This approach maintains core functions but enables more flexibility and reduced maintenance costs.

Replace with SaaS Solutions: For some companies, replacing legacy systems with Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions is the most viable option. SaaS solutions offer ready-to-use, scalable, and secure alternatives to outdated systems, reducing reliance on in-house IT resources and enabling more predictable, subscription-based costs.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA): RPA can automate repetitive tasks and bridge gaps between legacy and modern systems. By using bots to perform manual data entry or extract data, RPA enhances efficiency without necessitating extensive code rewrites, making it a valuable tool for extending the life of legacy systems.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Efforts to address legacy systems must be focused, well-coordinated, and governed effectively. Before proceeding with any transition, you need to assess the availability of in-house technical expertise, especially if re-platforming or rebuilding are being considered. In some cases, partnering with suppliers who offer IT digital and legacy application services can be a smart decision, providing support for migration with minimal risk and faster deployment.

Embracing modernization today means building a technology foundation for tomorrow’s success.

Not sure how to manage your legacy system? We can provide an initial project estimation and offer constructive advice for your next steps.  Simply book a 30-minutes consultation to learn more.

Eileen O’Mahony
General Manager, WM Promus