Sooner or later the processors we are using today will become outdated. They may also be replaced or discharged from further use. As the time passes away, the technology also grows at a remarkable pace. This will make the software and hardware that are seen in the market today useless within half a decade of their introduction. The biggest problem is that new version software and operating system always houses an ever increasing demand on the hardware's.

How does this realism shake the business?

It is a known fact that on the fast moving world of Business and E-Commerce, there is always a need to be more observant to newfangled developments and also to find the easiest way to adapt or renovate consequently. In the ever changing business world, Modernization is the only thing that you have to remain competitive and has to be confrontational to meet its challenges.

It is disquieting that most of the businesses occasionally get an enhancement in their technology. This might be because of the appearing cost that comes out. Correspondingly, some of the computer applications will not easily get an enhancement and the programmers may not feel comfortable working with the older technology. Some of the outdated computer software has very strict coding functionality that may limit them to adapt with the new technologies and programs.

Possible Solution!

It may sound good when thinking of buying new software. On the other hand what will happen to all the data that is stored since the start of the business? Will you be able to move all the data from one software to another without the risk of losing any information? The organization's existing data may not be able to pass the new software's strict data editing rules. There also arises a question about customizing the new thing to fit all your needs? There is also a pondering thought about re-educating all your staff to work on the new software appropriately, since it will not work as the current software. Another possibility is the risk of data corruption and the propensity for bugs and design flaws.

The best real world solution to this aging application is Modernization. This is the only cost effective way to get your same functionality on a modern platform with properly structured and commented code. Modernizations are more theoretical and industrial approaches to keep the automation of the data supporting up-to-date users with their browser based access. There is also the option to add open source framework functionality. It also cuts the cost of retraining the pool of programmers and increasing license payment to vendors.

Legacy Modernization is all about application use and reuse. It is about combining the strength of the past with the opportunities of the existing and upcoming technologies. Modernization converts the aging application to modern structural design.

Legacy Modernization differs from re-hosting and it comes in many flavors. The fundamental of Legacy Modernization involves:
€ Evaluation of current application structure and functionality.
€ Taking decisions like which part can be retained, which can be re-written and which can be replaced with the new technology.
€ Kinds of new functionality or methods that can be added.
€ Deciding the platforms to control.
€ Deciding the flow of control.
€ Determining the parts connection (connecting the new parts with the new ones).

Why Modernization?

Most of the organizations decide to modernize their legacy application simply because of the exceeding cost and difficulty. There are other factors that force the organization to discover the strategies of Legacy Modernization, such as

€ Application Integration
€ Platform Migration
€ Regulatory Compliance
€ Cost Reduction
€ Complexity Reduction
€ Flexibility to adapt
€ Change in Technology

How to Decide?

If an organization likes to modernize their legacy applications there are several methods and approaches that they can decide on. All the methods and approaches have their pros and cons, hence while deciding on the method all these should be considered:

€ What are the development skills that currently exist in the organization?
€ The time required to develop the modernized solution.
€ Does your legacy application have any business information?
€ The platform required.
€ Will this be portable in the future?
€ Integration needs for the modernized solution.
€ Does the legacy system support the existing business practices?
€ Is the existing business process optimized?
€ What could be the time interval to implement the process and technology changes?

Legacy Modernization has the advantage of being economically attractive with a low risk proposition when compared to other modernization techniques. The business will attain maximum Return on Investment (ROI) by reusing their old application in the new system that may or may not make use of the new technology.