Slowing down legacy systems? That’s how you innovate anyway
Legacy software and systems can slow a company’s growth and innovation. They often have reduced functionality, are written in outdated programming languages and may pose a security risk. To avoid these drawbacks, companies must move to more modern technologies that are compatible with new systems and minimize security risks. In this blog, Peter Vangheluwe, Mendix developer, talks about how Mendix’s low-code platform can help modernize aging systems.
Four disadvantages of legacy applications
A legacy application is a software product that supports a business-critical process but is based on now obsolete technology. In a previous blog post, we wrote about what to think about when replacing legacy software. Here we still briefly highlight the four biggest disadvantages of legacy software:
1. Integration is cumbersome
Integrating an Access app with the latest software systems via an API is almost impossible and can only be done in a roundabout way.
2. Maintenance is costly
Maintaining an old legacy application is very cumbersome and costly. If you work with old programming languages, you may experience limitations in the functionality and operation of the app.
3. Developers are untraceable
Finding qualified developers willing to maintain legacy applications is a hefty challenge. Most developers become happy working with new technologies. Untangling a spaghetti of old-fashioned code is not one of them.
4. Competitive advantage is difficult to maintain
Not upgrading legacy software or replacing it with modern technology can lead to the loss of competitive advantage. It is important to modernize in time to keep up.
In practice: from outdated technology to a contemporary application
One of our customers, a leading company in the aerospace industry, experienced firsthand the disadvantages of working with a legacy application. This aerospace parts manufacturer was working with an outdated invoicing application. This application was once written in Microsoft Access, an outdated relational database management system. At some point, maintaining and securing this application became a serious problem. That caused some audit problems, and it also needed a refresh in terms of user experience. Unfortunately, no developers could be found who could still make sense of the spaghetti of code. Early last year, this organization engaged us and we presented them with a proposal to deploy Mendix’s low-code platform. In four months, we developed a modern app for them that meets today’s requirements.
The four benefits of switching to Mendix’s low-code platform
Many organizations still working with legacy applications do not know where to start modernizing. Mendix’s low-code platform makes modernization relatively quick and easy.
Here are four potential benefits of switching to Mendix’s low-code platform:
1. Faster time-to-market
Mendix’s low-code platform allows developers to build applications quickly and easily, without having to write code from scratch. This reduces development time and allows applications to be brought to market or into the organization faster.
2. Higher productivity
Low-code platforms simplify the development process and enable developers to produce more software in less time. By spending less time on repetitive tasks and using reusable low-code components, developers can focus more on software design and functionality.
3. Lower costs
Using a low-code platform can lead to lower development costs because less time and resources are needed to develop applications. In addition, the platform can reduce the number of errors, which also reduces the time and money needed for maintenance.
4. Flexibility and adaptability
Mendix’s low-code platform offers a high degree of flexibility and adaptability. The simplicity of the platform allows developers to easily modify functionality as needed due to changing business and market needs.
Curious what the Mendix platform can do for your organization?
Mendify is happy to help you answer this question. We often do this via a low-code assessment in which we map out your current IT landscape and business processes together with your experts, and from your vision and (IT) strategy we look at the added value of the Mendix low-code platform. The outcome of these workshops is a no-obligation recommendation and (if desired) a prototype that demonstrates how to responsibly replace legacy software with modern and future-proof IT solutions.