Legacy applications – There is always a CURE
We all know the challenges and issues of trying to run and manage legacy applications, I have mentioned these in some of our previous blogs such as “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” and “The issues that none of us want to talk about” In these previous blogs, I discussed the soft skill challenges and technical issues organisations may face, when working with applications and systems that have had
- Security risks,
- Higher operational cost,
- Slows down modernisation,
- Data silos,
- Left unmanaged,
- Out of date documentation,
There is also the reality with Legacy systems and applications, they cannot be maintained at a functioning level forever. At some point, most enterprises will need to update or replace outdated hardware, coding language, and software.
When is the best time to modernise?
The decision to upgrade legacy applications should be based on a careful analysis of the business needs and benefit of an upgrade. Factors that may influence this decision include the cost of maintenance, the need for added functionality or improved performance, the need for integration with other systems, the need for increased security, and the need to meet regulatory requirements. It is important to determine the best time to upgrade to ensure the organisation’s needs will be met and the upgrade will be successful.
This can be a scary decision to make. Application remediation projects can be costly, time consuming and disruptive. This may involve dedicating resources from your internal IT teams, taking them away from other work. It can often be the case that the original developers of internally developed line of business applications are no longer within the organisation. No one knows or understands the original code. There is a lack of installation media or documentation.
Is there an easy way?
Well, the good news is that this bit is not as scary as you might imagine. Modern approaches to application remediation exist that enable organisations to be able to quickly take legacy applications and allow them to run in modern operating systems. One of the leaders in the marketplace is appCURE. Using appCURE, we can quickly capture legacy applications, identify the dependencies within them that are preventing them from running on a modern operating system, remediate those dependencies, and then package them in MSIX or MSI format.
A lack of installation media is no longer an issue with appCURE. It enables the capturing running applications from Microsoft operating systems without the requirement of installation media, SME knowledge or lengthy professional services engagements.
At Enterprise Solutions, we always take a technology agnostic approach to modernising legacy application projects. We design and deliver solutions knowing not all organisations are the same and have different business goals.
Contact us to speak to one of our experts and make modernising your legacy applications as easy as possible for your organisation.
Shane O’Neill is a Citrix CTP/ EUC Architect here at Enterprise Solutions. He loves automation. Shane is constantly coding in C# and PowerShell to create new tools to make his life and that of other Citrix admins easier, and to fill in the gaps in automation and reporting that Citrix doesn’t currently provide. Holding certifications in Citrix, VMware, Cato Networks, Microsoft and Hyper-V to name just a few. Shane was named one of the first Citrix Technology Advocates in 2016 and has held the title of Citrix Technology Professional since 2019, one of only 60 worldwide.
