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Over the previous several decades, enterprises and governments have amassed millions of lines of proprietary software code, especially for mission-critical systems that operate their businesses and strategic operations. The code was written to be dependable and complete the task at hand in many cases. The code was never intended to evolve and be suitable for operations decades later. In a recent appearance on a podcast, Elon Musk talked about how the entire American monetary system is still relying upon mainframes running COBOL, which is astounding considering the developments in payment processing over the past couple of decades. Many businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to transition from legacy systems to the latest technologies powering the modern world. Companies are now turning to application modernization, replacing antiquated platforms and processes, and building cloud-native applications. What exactly is application modernization? How will it help your company? Here are five ways to get started today.
Application Modernization: An Introduction
The process of updating existing software for newer methodologies, such as more unique languages, frameworks, and infrastructure platforms, is referred to as application modernization. Rather than retiring or replacing legacy systems entirely, it is often beneficial to extend the life of your applications with application modernization. This can involve upgrading an application's codebase or migrating it to a new runtime environment. While the terminology may vary, application modernization generally includes changes such as re-implementing business logic as microservices or moving from a monolithic architecture to a containerized architecture. Digital transformation necessitates the modernization of software, systems, and architecture, allowing employees and business associates to engage in dynamic and innovative experiences.. Teams can support emerging development paradigms by implementing innovative processes and systems through modernization projects. The reasons for application modernization are often to create a new foundation for growth or bring an older technology stack up to date with modern requirements.
The Importance of Application Modernization
Application modernization enables businesses to safeguard their investments to get a better return on invested capital. Even if you have the financial wherewithal to replace all of your applications and infrastructure at once, there may be a reason to keep the existing systems in place while your new implementation goes through its many stages of development and testing. Most legacy applications are based on a monolithic architecture. Monolithic applications are also hard to maintain, and scaling them is incredibly expensive and complicated. Application modernization is essential because it can help organizations keep up with the latest technologies and trends in the industry. It's not just about making the latest and greatest applications available to your users but also continuing to push the envelope and innovate.
Benefits of application modernization
The challenges of application modernization include ensuring that the new platform can support the existing functionality of the application, as well as integrating with any new or existing systems. Organizations can use modernization to eliminate obsolete code and use new, cutting-edge technologies. Rearchitecting existing applications gives businesses the flexibility and agility to respond to the changing business environment. Here are some of the benefits of modernizing existing infrastructure and applications:
- It can prove to be incredibly beneficial when it comes to reducing operating expenditures. Legacy systems are a pain to maintain and update, and the costs can add up over time.
- Getting rid of the technical debt associated with maintaining legacy infrastructure can empower your employees and help them create new, scalable applications and processes that can improve your business operations.
- Maintaining operations on legacy infrastructure comes with a host of security vulnerabilities. Migrating to modern architecture can help mitigate numerous security risks.
- By modernizing legacy applications, you can improve user experience by providing a more efficient solution to the problem you are working on solving.
- Faster releases and agile development while employing modern development practices and automation.
How to Modernize Your Legacy Applications
Every modernization journey must be unique, given that every application serves a different purpose and set of users. As a result, there are many application modernization patterns to choose from. Some of them are:
- Rehost/Redeploy: The application is lifted off the legacy infrastructure and rehosted on a modern, robust infrastructure environment for better runtime optimization. The architecture is neither redesigned nor restructured.
- Refactor: While refactoring a legacy application, the existing code base is altered to improve the code without changing the application's functionality.
- Encapsulation: With encapsulation, the core functionalities of an application are broken down into smaller services that are provided via API requests. This essentially means converting a monolithic application architecture into a microservices application architecture.
- ReBuild: ReBuilding entails rewriting and re-developing the complete mobile application while maintaining the legacy software's original scope and specifications.
- Replace: The existing application is replaced with an entirely new application with completely new infrastructure and functionalities. Given the entire redesign of the system architecture, innovative technologies can be employed to improve user experience and optimize costs.
How Atidan Technologies Can Help You in Your Application Modernization Journey
Atidan specializes in helping your business realize its true potential with the help of the latest technologies to make sure that you come out ahead. With decades of experience and a tremendously powerful platform, our goal is to help you realize the full potential of today's cutting-edge technologies. With a presence in over 14 countries, We have software engineers that can help you maximize your technology investments and bring new efficiencies to your business. Our team of developers, architects, and specialists bring a diverse array of technology frameworks and a rock-solid approach to ensure your application works seamlessly. In addition, Atidan’s expert consultants will work actively with your business process managers, IT staff, and executive leadership to identify your requirements and help you reach your business goals. Modernizing your existing applications and infrastructure can be made easy with Atidan.