The digital landscape is fast changing and Business perceive it as a challenge to keep pace with this rapid digital transformation happening across the world. The scenario is more critical where there are software application modernization involved in the business process, structure and routine work. This draws attention to the conundrum of legacy applications. Having such legacy systems, some companies have failed to cope up with the change or failed to meet the flexibility and agility needed to modernize. They now face hurdles like incompatibility, costly maintenance and lack competent human resources.

How to Start with Application Modernization?

To start with, identify legacy applications that are business-critical and evaluate them in terms of reliability, performance and scalability to modernize them subsequently. Business should consider application maintenance before selecting a Application Modernization method, to benefit with the least application maintenance possible. Another factor is when planning to migrate, you have to decide the total length or duration and the cost of this transition. How much risk would be encountered?  What and when is the workforce required?

There is a decision on which implementation rate would be optimum for the organisation. Consider your style of operations, your strengths, the urgency and complexity involved, but considering the budget available and the workload for those involved too. Another approach is the ‘Rebuilding’ or ‘Redesigning’ approach whereby every component of the legacy application is rewritten from scratch without changing its specifications and scope.

If you are planning to migrate at once or in phases your mainframe modernization project has to consider the resource requirement. Depending on the stage of migration, the number and level of requirement can differ. Even with a partner engaged, you will need internal staff to be involved at some stage.

How do you go about the transition?

• Free from dependency is an objective. When it comes to legacy applications for modernization, everything must be abstracted and freed from any dependency on the underlying existing infrastructure.
• Abstracting an application’s functions into modules is first required. When the project or application is moved to a modernized infrastructure and without changing the code, these modules can run without a hitch on the new platforms.
• Having software defined architecture allows you to use these components of the applications again. This facilitates full portability between loud environments, storage options, the container tools and the servers.

Choose an Evolutionary Process

The ‘Evolutionary’ method rakes a step-by-step approach that doesn’t affect the major business process and offer much lower risks for the organisation involved. The evolutionary method is not just identifying and removing the problems, but focusing more on them to solve them by pinpointing the issue and resolving them.

Re-host the Applications

This method of re-hosting is the transferring of unchanged mainframe programs to other virtual, physical or cloud infrastructure, which is risk-free and economical. Re-hosting is quicker than other methods and keep the present business logic intact, with no changes in system operations and no negative effect on the company. This migration method has no code modification and is less resource intensive.

Adopting the Re-Architecting Method

When your mainframe applications are shifted to a completely new platform architecture, it becomes a re-architecting method. The code will be altered and updated so that it can run on the new platform that offers better capabilities. This method involves lower risk and costs, but there is a risk that some results may be compromised.

Taking to the Re-platforming method

Re-platforming method of migration includes upgrading to a new platform and adapting the code while retaining existing features and functionalities. This method is beneficial when migrating to the cloud infrastructure, as enhancements like managed database service or auto-scaling to add or remove computing resources, are available and continued. Cloud migration is cost optimizing and without the trouble of committing resources for refactoring of the platform.

Replacing as a Method

Instead of spending on legacy application modernization, you can adopt a different platform to replace them. This method would require some level of re-engineering or modification of the application packages and perhaps rewriting the business logic.

End Note

Digital Atrium has expertise to digitally transform your business or service, using software applications with supportive mobile applications. We can rebuild or restructure your digital entity with all the add-ons and applications required, to move your business or service online into the cloud and the next generation. The applications can be built, customised, or integrated with your legacy systems to sustain your existing business, service or brand. Find out more about us in this website. We can be a dependable IT partner for your digital aspirations. Just leave us an enquiry and our team will get in touch with you soon.

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