Modernising Legacy Systems

Legacy systems can be a critical pillar of your business – not to mention the product of countless hours of trial and error. There may come a time though where business leaders are faced with two possibilities: maintaining burdensome systems that they have relied on for years, or expending time and resources to revamp them. This dilemma means that many will delay their digital transformation.

However, modernising your legacy systems doesn’t have to be herculean effort, and the benefits can be boundless. In this guide, we will explain some of the motivations for modernisation, and how low-code development can help you navigate the journey.

What is legacy modernisation

If your current software is beginning to cause more issues than its solving, then it may be due an update.  Aging architecture could be constraining your business from not only growing and meeting new demands, but simply handling everyday tasks. 

Legacy modernisation involves the process of upgrading – or completely replacing – outdated systems that play an important role within your business. This might include systems that do not perform as required, operate too slowly, are incompatible with modern software, or are no longer supported.

While this may seem like a daunting task, the long-term benefits could be too important to ignore. Let’s consider some of the key advantages that a digital transformation can bring. 

Improved operational efficiency

Modern systems grant you greater options with less limitations. This includes enhanced integration with the latest software, increased productivity through automated processes, plus the ability to leverage cloud-based solutions. Perhaps most importantly though, IT modernisation grants the agility to deliver continuously and adapt quickly in uncertain markets.

Strengthened security

Outdated infrastructures, especially those lacking vendor support, are more vulnerable to security breaches. For organisations wishing to be compliant with data regulations, this reason alone may be enough to seek better alternatives.

Superior user experience

A modernised system means you can meet the high expectations of your user-base. This might mean introducing transformed front-end interfaces, or even entirely new features. Refreshed systems will also allow for far greater accessibility across different devices, making it easier for users to engage with your app.

 

If you judge these enhancements to outweigh the short-term cost of upgrading your legacy systems, then the next step is to find the right path to achieving modernisation.

Low-Code legacy

The approach an organisation takes to modernisation will be unique to their own systems and business structure. No matter your industry or existing IT architecture though, Plant an App’s comprehensive low-code platform can help bridge the gap between legacy and modernised apps. From updating select business processes to completely rebuilding your stacks, Plant an App’s cloud and on-premise migration strategies can streamline the process and offer you more control. 

Here are some of the common migration paths that you could take when modernising with and Plant an App and low-code:

Data Exchange: This method allows you to transfer your digital assets over to a different platform, and without changing their code or core functions. A cloud-native low-code platform facilitates this by allowing users to efficiently export their data without complication.

Integration: Another possibility is to incrementally build on your legacy system, reorganising and optimising your applications without resorting to a complete overhaul. Using this method, you can keep on making extensions to your platform where necessary, giving you the agility to react quickly to changing market conditions and customer requirements.

Complete Replatforming: Starting from fresh on an entirely new platform allows you to sculpt it towards your business needs from the ground-up. Once you have a clear vision in mind for your new platform, low-code development affords you the tools to make the process happen safely and effectively. Plant an App’s own platform lets you replace one-system at a time, mitigating the risk and time-consumption of a complete overhaul.

How Plant an App can support your change

Whatever route you choose, Plant an App’s low-code platform will make the transformation faster, safer, and more flexible. In our Low-Code Café video series, we even run through how an outdated CRM system can be modernised in no time, with effective data migration and newly added features. Practically any legacy system can be transformed using Plant an App though, thanks to the platform’s ability to integrate with almost anything. Plant an App’s interfaces also offer you a breadth of helpful features to leverage when modernising, including preview and history buttons for simplified testing. 

Furthermore, you can make this digital transformation with minimal coding, alleviating the reliance on scarce IT talent. In fact, Plant an App even lets you choose from a catalogue of pre-built models for increased productivity. There’s no such thing as hitting a wall for skilled developers either; we support all the coding languages you need to achieve your systems of the future.

And with Plant an App, the journey doesn’t end when you have successfully modernised your legacy systems. Our cloud-native architecture and powerful low-code make it easy to scale your business and create new solutions, meaning you can innovate continuously. What’s more, you’ll be a valued member of a growing community, benefiting from an ever-expanding library of knowledge and resources.