Are legacy systems holding your company back?
Gareth Mapp
Managing Director | Business and Digital Transformation Specialist | I build teams that deliver World Class client experiences
Are legacy systems holding your company back?
Digital transformations are the talk of the town, and they are more important than ever.
These transformative technologies were already entering the workplace before the pandemic, allowing businesses to stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. Then 2020 happened, and what was supposed to take years happened in the space of a few months.
Digital transformation was the key to survival during lockdowns, with most businesses having no choice but to ramp up their digitalisation efforts to meet the moment.
Eight in ten organisations fast-tracked their digital transformation programmes in response, while a further 89% said the pandemic had shone a light on the need for more agile and scalable IT solutions. So, as content as you may be with your legacy systems, it may be time to consider reviewing your existing on-premises software.?
That said, where do you start?
For centuries, people used the term "legacy" to refer to valuable items handed down from generation to generation or accomplishments that a person made during their life. The term carries a negative connotation in the IT world, conjuring up images of outdated, obsolete systems that struggle to retain relevance in a digital-first workplace.
In this digital era, organisations are discovering that their loyal and once efficient systems can no longer meet their business objectives.
What are legacy systems?
Legacy systems are those that rely on older technology, including outdated computer hardware, programming languages, and software applications, to function.
Despite relying on older technology, legacy systems can still be reliable for day-to-day operations. Many organisations still find these systems essential to their daily work, and actually not using them may cause greater harm when it comes to productivity and generating results.
If your legacy systems are showing any of the following symptoms, it may be worthwhile to consider options.
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So, you may find yourself in something of a? quandary. Should you stick with your existing legacy-based system, which has served you well over the years, or should you spend money on buying or implementing newer systems with the latest technology that are more agile and scalable?
If you decide to stick with your legacy systems, you risk being outmanoeuvred by competitors investing in modern technologies. While investment in new systems can certainly be expensive, running on old systems can result in disruption and costly downtime.?
?Why your business needs a software systems health check
We tend to only seek medical attention when we know that our health is already compromised and we are showing symptoms. If you are fortunate, this may be every few years.
A visit to the doctor, however, can help you maintain your health by checking for things such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol and identifying problems before they become serious concerns. It is for this reason medical professionals encourage people to get an annual check-up. The same should apply to your IT systems.
For your business to remain profitable and competitive, it is absolutely essential to keep your business systems up to date and running as smoothly as possible. If you rely on legacy systems that utilise older technology and software, you will likely face disruption and costly downtime regularly. Beyond being frustrating for employees and clients, it can cost you a lot of money in the long run if not put right.?
A systems health check will alert you to any instabilities within your IT system and predict future issues, giving you time to make alterations to optimise the performance of your system. Not only will this improve the efficiency of your business by fixing any problems hindering your day-to-day operations, but it will also enable you to streamline or redesign current processes to hit business targets and budgets more effectively.
It will also help determine whether you need to put your legacy systems to rest and look for a strategy incorporating new technological systems to stay ahead of the competition.
Perhaps more importantly, however, it will give you peace of mind and greater confidence in your systems.
Think your legacy systems are holding you back? Is your system in need of a health check?
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