Old software can slow down your whole firm, leading to many costly problems. It breaks too often and cannot keep up with your evolving clients’ needs. Therefore, to achieve success, you need to turn your old system into a new one.
However, application modernization is not as easy as it seems. You need a full plan to make it successful. Therefore, here are some key steps to help you navigate this daunting process.
Step 1: Assess and Plan Carefully
A good map can save you time and money. So, before the application modernization, you must know what you have and what you lack. Look at all your old apps and make a full list. Consider which ones are the key to your business, which applications are too risky to touch, and which ones cost the most. All these considerations will help you make informed choices based on your specific needs and preferences.
Moreover, you must check the code, the data, and how all the parts link up to each other. Also, see how your team uses these applications each day and find the pain points. This deep look will show you where to start and guide your whole plan.
Step 2: Choose the Right Strategy and Architecture
Once you have a proper plan, the next step is to consider how you will modernize. There is no one right way for all. You can go with any option that best matches your business needs and goals. You can rehost an app on a new cloud server with a few code changes. You can also refactor it to work better in a new space, or entirely rewrite the code to use new technology.
You must think about the future and pick a plan that can grow with your needs. Moreover, this is also the time to choose your new design. So ask yourself, will you use a microservice style or go with a main cloud provider? The design you pick must be strong, safe, and scalable.
However, if you are feeling overwhelmed by choosing the right strategy and architecture for applications modernization, seek professional help. Many companies, such as Sutherland, offer digital consulting services. Their experts guide you on what is the best for your firm.
Step 3: Execute and Implement
The best approach to execute your plan is to start small. You must pick one app or one part to change first. A small win will build faith in the plan. Moreover, you must work with a team that knows both the old and new technology. They can spot issues early and can better guide you.
However, keep in mind that things can go wrong, and that is normal. The best approach is to hold daily check-ins and use a tool to track the work. Additionally, make sure your team and all other members are on the same page.
Step 4: Monitor and Optimize
Your work is not done even when the new system is live. Now you must watch how it runs and use tools to track the application’s health. Look at the data to identify new issues. You may find a part of the code that can be improved or may see a way to lower cloud costs. The cycle of watch and learn keeps your applications up to date for the years to come.
