4 benefits of modernizing enterprise applications

Over the last year, COVID-19 has expedited IT modernization as remote work and tech resiliency has become imperative. With work from home and remote collaborations continuing well into 2021, cloud computing has emerged as an ally for enterprises. Due to the need for businesses to access critical applications for continuity in operations, this prompts the growth and scalability of cloud infrastructure. Through this, it further cements its importance as an essential service, paving the way for modernization of legacy applications.

Legacy applications often based on monolithic architecture, are not only difficult but also costly to update and maintain since the entire application’s components are bucketed together. Even if updated, it could result in integration complexities resulting in wastage of time and resources. By modernizing an application to a microservices architecture, components are smaller, loosely coupled, and can be deployed and scaled independently.

With cloud architecture growing more complex, IT services providers are expected to deliver the best combination of services to fulfil customer needs. They need to conduct a deep-dive analysis into the customer’s business, technical costs and contribution of each application in the IT portfolio. Based on the functional and technical value that each application brings along, the IT services provider should recommend the most compatible modernization and migration approach. In the process, they will enable rationalization and optimization of the customer’s IT landscape. Thus, only a handful of applications which are both functionally and technically relevant are chosen for migration to the cloud. Hence, IT services companies can enable their customers to curate a Cloud roadmap and implementation plan as per their application and underlying technology landscape as against a pureplay “lift and shift” approach.

By working with an IT services provider, there are several benefits that customers can leverage regarding modernizing the legacy applications.

It is cost-effective: Legacy applications run on ineffective and outdated architecture. If one component of the application is facing load and performance challenges, the entire application needs to be scaled up, which leads to unnecessary spending and resource utilization. Legacy systems are also quite large in terms of the codebase as well as functionality. By refactoring such applications to a microservices architecture, organizations can improve the performance, readability, portability and code adherence of the application without changing its intended functions.

It optimizes IT Infrastructure: When it comes to legacy systems – just like the software, the underlying infrastructure becomes harder and more expensive to maintain as it ages. Modernization of such applications enables a more seamless adoption of cloud and automation of redundant processes thereby reducing employee cost and effort spent on mundane tasks.

Enhances Security: Legacy systems are less resistant to cyberattacks, harmful programs, and malware. With the modernizing exercise, businesses can ensure that the platforms and infrastructure on which applications are built offer enhanced security and add value to the business.

Efficient Integration: Legacy systems are difficult to connect to a third-party tool or service. They often require a significant amount of custom code. And there is still a chance that the final integration won’t work. The modernization of such applications makes them more compatible with other systems. New-age technologies and tools then can be easily integrated to enhance their efficiency.

As seen, through the various benefits of application modernization, organisations can make the most of business continuity solutions, while simultaneously building operations that are scalable and future-ready.

By Neelesh Kripalani, Chief Technology Officer, Clover Infotech