Legacy System Migration: Why Out of Date Technology Can Bankrupt a Business
Up to $1.8 trillion in productivity annually in the U.S. is lost to legacy systems and outdated technology. The same survey notes that 25% of workers feel their company’s tech and policies hinder productivity. At some point, you’ll reach a plateau beyond which maintaining the system is burning more money than you get from it in return. You can always invest more time and effort into the current system, but what about the diminishing return?
When is the right time for a legacy system migration and a fresh new software path? Read on for reasons you should consider leaving the old system and working with up to date software.
When is the Right Time?
There’s no magic ratio of dollars spent to time wasted to calculate when it is time to consider your legacy system migration.
Consider these factors:
Time
How much time do you spend backtracking and working around things that can’t be patched in the system?
Team
How many of your team specializes in this system and are they near the end of their careers? If they are close to retirement, are there people who can replace their knowledge? Example: There are U.S. Government processes that still require COBOL, a skills set last taught in classrooms of the mid-1990’s.
Culture
Do the people on your team feel they are learning valuable skills to grow in their careers or are they leaving because they are frustrated with dead-end technology?
Money
How much of your budget and cycle time is being spent patching legacy system problems?
Security
Several generations of software are especially vulnerable to “bad actors” accessing data or possibly taking control. Are you able to secure your system?
What Holds You Back?
Then, there is fear that there will be no common interface or data exchange between the old system and the new system. Many fear that existing employee knowledge would be devalued or would be lost.
Most importantly, businesses fear that their fine-tuned functionality and customized processes that DO work will be lost in the change.
Legacy System Migration
Replacing a legacy system with a fresh start need not be painful. If you have to make constant apologies and excuses for your system’s shortcomings and spend a majority of time in patches to deal with your legacy systems, it’s time to retire the old and start new. Once you’ve made the first step move on, it’s time to look at the most effective resources and custom software solutions.
Speak with an experienced developer who knows the ins and outs of migrations and data mapping. Look for someone who can assess workload performance, current and potential costs versus benefits, potential risks and exposure. Expert guidance during the preparation for transition and the initial move are invaluable.
Feel free to contact 3Si2 today with your questions and comments about legacy system migration.