What are Legacy Systems and Why Legacy Systems Are Still Used
With an estimated 40 to 50 percent of business IT systems in need of updating, it’s no surprise that many companies are still clinging to their legacy systems. While some companies may gain an advantage to using a legacy system, most will find that their best option is to take the leap and upgrade to current systems. Keep reading to find out more about why businesses are still using legacy systems and to find out the 5 reasons companies should not cling to their legacy system.
What are Legacy Systems?
The best legacy systems definition is any computer system that is outdated. These older systems have since been replaced by newer systems which are often faster and better software integration.
Why Do Businesses Continue to Use Outdated Systems?
Legacy systems are still being used because they are familiar to the user. Most companies simply fear the changes that come with modernizing their technology. However, what they should fear more is being left behind with legacy systems.
Here are the 5 reasons to get away from using outdated technology:
1. Safer
Today, there are an estimated 20,000 cyber crimes that occur every single day, with many more failed attempts occurring. Outdated systems are vulnerable to these attacks as many of them don’t work well with modern cyber security programs.
2. Faster
There’s only so much a legacy system can do to stay moving as fast as today’s consumer expects. With people so quick to click away from a website that doesn’t load fast enough, updating is the only way to keep people engaged with a business. Any downtime is bad for business, however, not just website speed. When a computer system take too long to find customer information during a phone call, for example, it can frustrate the customer and hurt customer relations.
3. Better Software Integration
With so many software options that can improve the way a business works, it just makes sense to upgrade to a modern system that will work with these software programs. Unfortunately, many legacy systems don’t integrate as well or at all.
4. Save Money
5. Customization
Legacy systems were typically designed for broad use, which means they may not work for everyone. Today, there are systems made for every industry, or a business owner can have a system built specifically to meet their needs. This vastly improves the productivity and efficiency of their company.
How to Upgrade from a Legacy System
When a business is ready to make the leap from their outdated legacy system to a modern one, they should contact us. We have the experience necessary to ensure a smooth transition to a new system and have worked with some large corporations to help them keep up with technology.