Legacy System Upgrades

Legacy System Upgrades: Moving Forward

Vintage Computer

Does this sound familiar?

  • My business is growing rapidly, but my old software systems are slowing us down.
  • I’m really worried that my key admin or tech person may leave and they are the only one that knows how to use our software system.
  • I know that our old technology will break or no longer be supported on new servers, and then we’re in big trouble.
  • I’m afraid to make changes to our software for fear we’ll break the whole thing. When I fix one thing I break two others.
  • I have broken features that aren’t being addressed simply because it’s too complicated to fix.

We can help. We have been upgrading legacy software code for decades and understand the business productivity needs of our clients.

The decision of whether or not to upgrade enterprise software is challenging. Upgrades can be costly and are sometimes hard to justify while the software is still functioning. But it is important to look at your overall operational costs, not just the historical expenditure.

  • There are risk factors: what happens to your business if the software fails.
  • There are productivity factors: newer software is often faster to use and easier to maintain, and much more capable of being enhanced.
  • There are opportunities as well: new software can open whole new markets or business areas.

When is the best time to start planning for software upgrades? Why go through the upgrade process when your old software is still working? Here are a few points we will walk you through when we discuss your particular situation:

  • Improved Functionality: New software has amazing features to improve efficiency that legacy systems do not. Modern systems utilize virtual and cloud computing, big data processing tools, and can be accessed and manipulated remotely via mobile devices.
  • Improved Performance: Legacy software is often stranded on old hardware and operating systems that are sometimes past end of life. Upgraded software can run on the latest technology and take advantage of improvements in hardware and networking systems.
  • Newer software = better user experience: Modern software is becoming more intuitive while containing increased functionality. Modern systems are more focused on user interface and usability than legacy systems, making them accessible to a larger user base and requiring less training and support.
  • Ability to Migrate: The longer one waits to modernize legacy software the more difficult it can be to find a solution that will match the current system. Finding the correct time to modernize is a challenge, which grows exponentially based on the number of users and how essential the software is to everyday business operations. Often it comes down to balancing the cost to upgrade a system against the cost of maintaining the legacy system.
  • Changing business practices: The organization may be moving towards business functions that were unforeseen when the original software was developed. If the original legacy system is not scalable, then it may be difficult to upgrade or extend it for the changing needs. In addition, a firm often has vendors or partners to which the software must integrate, and maintaining these data links becomes harder for older systems.
  • Shareability: Modern software is designed to take advantage of the Internet and foster interactions between devices seamlessly. Legacy software may have been built with the focus of keeping functions in-house. So the ability to access and share data across multiple devices and platforms can be a huge incentive to replacing an older piece of software.
  • Security: The longer a piece of software has been around, the more time hackers have had to find security holes – to the software itself, but more often to the framework within which it was developed. Some older legacy software was focused more on functionality than security. Modern software is built securely from the ground up, utilizing the latest features that are designed to protect data while still allowing access to those who need it.

Upgrading your legacy software becomes more necessary as time progresses and technology changes. Let us help you find the optimal time to engage on such a legacy software upgrade project, and assist you with all the details such a project entails.


Our Process

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