Modernization methods explained

Summary: Are you stuck with legacy applications? Do you view application modernization as risky, expensive, or potentially disruptive to your business? It doesn’t have to be, if you choose the right modernization method. Learn which modernization approach works best for you.

Confusion surrounds legacy application modernization. Some think modernization is risky. Others think it will disrupt their business. Still others think it’s not worth the expense.

Are any of these assumptions correct?

Yes and no. It all depends on which modernization method you choose.

Sure, modernization CAN be risky. But, it doesn’t have to be.

It can disrupt business, if you choose certain methods.

And yes, it can be quite expensive…if you choose the expensive approach.

The fact is, none of these apply if you use the right modernization methods. Modernization shouldn’t be risky, expensive, or disruptive.

The problem is, many businesses don’t understand the different modernization approaches. So, they choose the risky, disruptive option because they think it’s their best bet.

Today, let’s put an end to that confusion. We put together a couple of resources to help businesses better understand modernization. First, here’s a free whitepaper entitled “Crash course in modernization“. It takes an in-depth look into the modernization basics, including the need for modernization and the methods.

Second, we put together a comparison chart based on the information found in the whitepaper. It lets you compare 5 different modernization methods side-by-side and find the one that works best for you. A broader description of each option can be found in the whitepaper.

	Screen Scraping	Code Conversion	Rip and Replace	Buy new and migrate	Extend and surround
What is it?	Scrapes data from legacy apps and displays it in a graphical format	Convert legacy code into modern code	Throw out old apps and build new apps from the ground up	Purchase pre-built applications and migrate existing data	Gradually surround legacy applications with modern applications
Does it replace legacy code?	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Does it replace legacy architecture?	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Speed	Fast	Fast	Very Slow	Slow	Variable
Cost	Cheap	Cheap	Expensive	Very Expensive	Moderate
Risk	Low	Low	High	Moderate	Low
Ongoing maintenance	Difficult	Difficult	Easy	Easy	Easy
Business Disruption	Low	Low	High	High	Low
Advantages	Fast and Cheap	Fast and Cheap	Custom apps	Fully modern apps	Lets you modernize at your own pace
Disadvantages	Not actually modernization Limited capabilities Difficult maintenance	Doesn’t replace legacy architecture Limited capabilities Difficult maintenance	High-risk Time consuming	High cost No a custom fit	Time consuming
Ideal for…	Companies that need to appear modern, without actually modernizing	Companies that want to turn old code into new code without actually modernizing	Companies with a large developer staff who need a completely custom solution	Companies who need modern applications but lack the time for the “rip-and-replace” method	Companies on a budget who want a custom modernization solution at a prioritized pace with minimal disruption
Long-term modernization solution?	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

Of course, if you have any questions about modernization, feel free to let us know. We’ve helped countless companies modernize their legacy apps over the last 30 years, and would be more than happy to help you. If you need help, just fill out this short form and let us know what you have on your plate.