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How to modernize a legacy application from multiple legacy systems: approach and key elements

The software development process involves many challenges that developers must solve to deliver valuable products. Transforming multiple legacy platforms into a modern solution is one of them.
10 min read
legacy application modernization strategy
legacy application modernization strategy

    Legacy Application Modernization

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    Data access

    Event-driven implementation for data access enables a system to act on events (such as the pressing of a button) as they happen. This approach is suitable for the independent development and deployment of the system, achieved through the decentralization of responsibilities. In this scenario, the new application operated independently from the legacy software, not relying on its performance, thereby enabling scalability and real-time processing and analytics.

    Testing pyramid

    When building a reliable, high-quality product from a legacy system, a testing pyramid is an effective approach. This includes unit, integration, and end-to-end (E2E) tests, offering a comprehensive and efficient method for maintaining and improving the application by dividing and balancing the testing efforts at different levels.

    • Unit. These tests focus on individual components and functions and are run regularly.
    • Integration. Integration tests are run less frequently; they check how different components and modules interact.
    • E2E. E2E tests are used to assess the overall application and are run after each development milestone.
    Legacy application testing levels
    Legacy application testing levels
    Legacy application testing levels

    Key infrastructure elements

    The following infrastructure elements play a key role in transforming multiple legacy systems into a powerful modern solution.

    Front-end functionalities

    As the cornerstone of customer engagement, the client-facing side of an application should be well-designed, intuitive, and functional. Legacy app modernization provides an opportunity to add features that were lacking in the old system and improve the interface, enhancing user experience.

    Admin panel

    An admin panel is a core component of an application that gives administrators the tools they need to manage, control, and configure the system. It also displays all the data the system is designed to collect, such as customer details, operational status, and more. Admin dashboards allow companies to monitor and analyze product performance, facilitating prompt decision-making and action.

    Single sign-on (SSO)

    SSO is an authorization protocol that allows users to log into multiple applications with one set of credentials. When transforming multiple legacy systems into a modern solution, SSO can streamline the user experience, enhancing both convenience and security while the legacy application transformation is in progress.

    single sign on authentication example
    single sign on authentication example
    single sign on authentication example

    How to provide scalability

    Legacy systems typically lack scalability, which impacts performance, workload handling capacity, infrastructure costs, functionality, and even customer satisfaction. Several practices can ensure that a modernized application is scalable and resilient, guaranteeing high availability and consistent performance.

    Microservices architecture

    Microservices architecture involves breaking the system down into independent services. This approach facilitates scaling each service separately according to specific needs, thereby avoiding unnecessary resource expenditure.

    Distributed caching

    Distributed caching involves storing data across multiple nodes of a network system. This is crucial for applications with high data loads and volume because distributed caching increases processing power, lowers response time, and reduces the load on databases.

    distributed cache system design
    distributed cache system design
    distributed cache system design

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    Conclusion

    F.A.Q. about legacy application

    • A legacy system or application is computing software that is based on outdated technologies but is crucial to a company’s operations. These systems are characterized by limited flexibility, scalability, and integration opportunities as well as low performance and weak security.

    • There are seven main application modernization approaches: encapsulation, rehosting, replatforming, refactoring, rearchitecting, rebuilding, and replacing. The choice of legacy application modernization strategy depends on the company’s needs and requirements, the current state of the system, and the budget.

    • The approach to legacy application modernization determines the process. You can begin by teaming up with a skillful partner who will evaluate the complexity of the project, define the goals, and develop an effective plan. Contact our experts to begin collaboration.

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