What Is A Legacy System?
Legacy systems are antiquated software solutions that are no longer compatible with modern programs.
Organizations that rely on these systems experience issues ranging from lack of security to system crashes.
For databases that contain sensitive or unique data, this is unacceptable. Security breaches damage customer trust. Backing up old data with slow software is time-consuming and creates more work.
Legacy modernization is the process of updating legacy systems to make them compatible with modern software.
Moss Rock has implemented legacy modernization for hundreds of software systems across different industries. We thoroughly understand why keeping software solutions up-to-date is so important. Learn more about some of the most notable benefits of upgrading legacy systems below.
Benefit 1: Better Compatibility With Modern Software
Today, many software solutions use frameworks that allow them to communicate with each other to make data management more efficient. Attempting to integrate new software with old systems doesn’t always work. If it does, it’s probably not optimized and will slow the whole system down.
Failure to modernize legacy systems means your company isn’t using the most up-to-date solutions.
Without legacy modernization, what will you say when clients ask if your software systems are compatible with their own? If your legacy systems aren’t updated to optimize compatibility with newer programs, a client might perceive your organization as outdated or unwilling to spend money on necessary upgrades. The result is that you lose their business.
For example, many companies today use shared frameworks to enable modern functions like GPS localization and the capability for online transactions.
Older software systems often can’t integrate with these features without first receiving a total overhaul. The alternative is that your client abandons their modern solution to make their data compatible with legacy software. From a business standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to do this.
Legacy modernization updates antiquated systems to improve compatibility with other pieces of software. Ensuring that your company’s solutions work with a wide range of modern software will help maintain a broad base of customers willing (and able) to work with you.
Benefit 2: Enhanced Security
Security vulnerabilities are one of the primary drawbacks to legacy systems.
As software development grows increasingly complex, security flaws become revealed in older applications.
This leaves your organization open to the risk of data theft.
Legacy modernization mitigates this risk significantly. Using up-to-date software provides modern security that protects your organization’s data from prying eyes and online attacks.
Customers love working with companies they can trust. Updating legacy systems to patch security vulnerabilities is a fantastic way to establish a positive reputation with clients. Showing that your organization is dedicated to protecting sensitive customer data demonstrates that you care about your customer’s information.
Benefit 3: Improved Speed And Stability
Top-of-the-line equipment can become noticeably slower even after as little as three to four years. When you need to access data quickly, a slow device that constantly crashes and reboots is less than ideal.
The same applies to legacy software. If an organization is using antiquated software, they are likely doing so at the cost of speed and stability.
Legacy modernization allows faster access to data and increased stability with fewer software crashes.
For clients, this translates to safer data storage and easier access to advanced systems, such as cloud integration.
Quick, reliable access to data is key to keeping customers satisfied. Modernizing legacy systems ensures the speed and stability your customers are looking for.
Benefit 4: Introduce New Features
If legacy systems don’t receive updates regularly, their utility becomes increasingly stagnant as other systems adopt new features.
Falling behind the software curve is one of the most considerable risks of using legacy systems in the modern day. Like any industry, software development is a constant work in progress.
Consider how this works in your industry. As your company grows, organizational structures shift. Old organization systems may not be adaptable enough to keep up with company changes. Those old systems must somehow adapt to new policies, systems, and growth in order to keep the company running efficiently. The same goes for your software systems.
When you upgrade a legacy system, there is a unique opportunity to imagine and implement new features to increase efficiency.
Adding automation capabilities, remote access, cloud integration, or other modern functionalities provides a value boost by simplifying user access and management.
Benefit 5: More Effective IT Departments
Does it sometimes feel like there aren’t enough hands on deck to address critical IT issues as they arise? Whether it’s due to system crashes, security breaches, or overdue maintenance, issues can quickly become overwhelming for IT employees. Outdated systems ultimately cause distraction, delays, and take up many hours that could be put to good use on higher-value projects.
Before you start expanding your IT department, consider modernizing legacy software systems.
As mentioned earlier, using up-to-date software increases speed and stability. This results in an IT department that is more available and cost effective for the company.
When IT employees don’t need to spend their time fixing old software, they can provide better service in the areas that need it most.
Benefit 6: Smoother Work Flow
To maintain efficiency in the workplace, it can be beneficial to maintain as small a team as possible. However, in order to run with a small team, systems must be optimized so that team can spend their time on tasks that matter.
Legacy modernization allows for the automation of tasks that a human team member might traditionally carry out.
With legacy modernization, you can reduce room for human error and improve workflow by increasing the reliability of workplace processes and results. According to Harvard Business Review, companies can increase efficiency (and profits) by 15% to 30% by using software optimization alone.
Take time to consider some manual tasks that could be automated in your workflows. Where could you save time and resources?
Modernize Your Legacy Systems With Moss Rock Solutions
If you’ve decided it’s time to modernize your legacy systems but aren’t sure where to start, Moss Rock Solutions can help you choose where to begin.
Modernizing antiquated software solutions could improve every aspect of your business with the proper development, implementation, and optimization.
Schedule a discovery call today to learn more about how you can improve your business by updating legacy systems.