Like any smartphone and car, enterprise systems and applications can also become outdated, cumbersome, and inefficient. They might have once served as the foundation for your organization. But over time, they can lead to frustration, inefficacy, and even risk. This is where the concept of legacy application modernization comes into play.
No business can afford to have slow performance, face compatibility challenges, and handle rising maintenance costs in 2025. The concept of application modernization is just what the name suggests – revitalizing old systems to ensure they meet contemporary business demands.
But wait:
– Why do you need it in the first place?
– Can they meet contemporary business demands?
– What does the process involve?
– And most importantly, who provides the best solution?
We know, we know, a lot is going on in your mind. Don’t worry, we will answer these questions for you! In this blog, API Connects – the leading IT services firm in Auckland – will walk you through everything about legacy application modernization.
Let’s start.
Why Invest in Legacy Application Modernization?
Clinging to outdated legacy systems is like trying to win a race with a super old horse. It might have worked in the past, but it’s no longer a match for modern-day competitors.
Modernizing your legacy applications is a strategic investment. Not only it can open up new opportunities but also helps you streamline operations and prepare your business for the future.
Here are some reasons why this transformation is essential in 2025:
Boost operational efficiency
As time passes, old systems within your organization can be slow and cumbersome. They become prone to crashes, creating bottlenecks that hinder productivity. By replacing outdated code and infrastructure with agile, scalable solutions, enterprises can facilitate workflows. They can minimize downtime and improve overall performance.
Imagine your team working flawlessly with faster, more reliable tools. No more waiting for systems to catch up or dealing with frustrating errors!
Enhance customer experience
According to a report from SuperOffice, 86% of buyers will pay a business more if they get an amazing customer experience. Meaning, customer expectations in 2025 are at an all-time high! Legacy systems often fall short. Applications modernization will allow you to integrate advanced features like AI-driven personalization, real-time data processing, and seamless omnichannel experiences.
They let you facilitate quicker, more intuitive interactions. Thus, delighting your customers and fostering lasting loyalty.
Reduce costs in the long run
A wise man once said, “Save money and money will save you.” True that. Although the initial cost of legacy application modernization is intimidating, long-term savings can be substantial. How, you ask? Legacy systems typically require costly maintenance. You need to patch them frequently and not to mention, specialized expertise to keep them operational.
Modern applications, however, are easier to maintain and scalable. Given they are often cloud-based, enterprises can lower operational costs and free up resources for innovation.
Stay competitive in a digital-first world
Neglecting modernization in 2025 = falling behind competitors (who are already leveraging advanced technologies).
Modernized legacy applications allow you to embrace emerging trends like cloud computing, IoT, and automation. They give you a competitive advantage. Want to achieve faster time-to-market? How about making your business adapt to evolving customer needs? Modernization makes certain you’re not just keeping pace but leading the way.
Improve security and compliance
Outdated technology and architecture are always vulnerable to cyberattacks. While they might have been strong when developed years ago, they are not as sturdy today. Legacy application modernization will improve your security measures with the latest encryption, authentication, and monitoring technologies.
What’s more, updated systems will keep your enterprise compliant with changing regulatory standards. Safeguarding your business from expensive fines and damage to its reputation.
Here’s what you need to know about the software re-engineering process in 2025!
What is the Process of Legacy Application Modernization?
We bet now you understand how important modernizing legacy applications is in 2025. Now the next question is, “What goes into developing one for your business?” See, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every process is different and involves a series of strategic steps. Each is designed to ensure that the modernization effort aligns with your enterprise goals, technical requirements, and budget constraints.
Don’t worry though. API Connects will give you a basic idea. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the legacy app modernization process:
Assessment and planning
To achieve great goals, two things are needed – assessment and planning. Thoroughly assess your existing legacy systems. Analyze current architecture and identify pain points. Understand how the system supports your business processes. Ask yourself these questions:
– What are my system’s limitations?
– What are the risks of maintaining the status quo?
– What business goals are driving the modernization effort?
You also need to define the scope of your legacy application modernization project, set clear objectives, and create a roadmap. The roadmap should outline the timeline, budget, and resources required for the remodeling process.
Choose the right modernization strategy
Remember, not all legacy systems need a complete overhaul. The choice of how you need to approach the plan depends on factors like the complexity of your system app, budget, and desired outcome. In simple words, what you’ve assessed during the first step!
Based on that, you can choose from the following modernization strategies:
– Rehosting: Also called lift and shift, rehosting involves moving an old application to a new environment. Shifting to cloud, for instance. That too without significant changes to the code.
– Refactoring: This approach involves optimizing and restructuring existing code to improve performance and scalability.
– Replatforming: Replatforming means making minor adjustments to your legacy application. So, it can take advantage of new platforms and frameworks.
– Rebuilding: As the name suggests, it involves rewriting legacy applications from scratch. All while retaining its core functionality.
– Replacing: This legacy application modernization strategy asks for switching to a completely new solution (SaaS platform, for example) that better meets your enterprise needs.
Design and architecture
Done choosing the strategy? Bingo! The next step is to design the modernized application’s architecture. Ask your hired developers to create a blueprint that outlines how your new system will function. This includes its components, data flow, and integration points.
Here are some key points for organizations to consider during this phase:
– Scalability to handle future growth.
– Flexibility to adapt to changing business needs.
– Security to protect sensitive data.
– Compatibility with existing systems and third-party tools.
Make sure to collaborate with your stakeholders, developers, and architects. That way, you can guarantee the design aligns with both technical and business requirements.
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Development and testing
Here comes the most important step of our legacy application modernization process: the development phase. This phase involves coding, integrating new features, and migrating data from legacy systems to modernized platforms. Depending on the chosen strategy, this could mean rewriting parts of the app, optimizing existing code, or building entirely new modules.
Testing is also a pivotal part of this phase. Ask your devs to do rigorous testing. Make certain your modernized application functions as intended. And not just that, check if it is free of bugs and delivers an avant-garde user experience.
Types of testing include:
– Functional testing to verify features.
– Performance testing to ensure speed and reliability.
– Security testing to identify vulnerabilities.
– User acceptance testing (UAT) to validate the system with end-users.
Deployment and integration
Congratulations, you’ve covered half of your legacy application modernization journey. It’s time to deploy your system in the production environment. This stage involves:
– Moving users, data, and workflows to the new system
– Keeping disruptions to business operations to a minimum
Integrate your new legacy app with other systems like CRM and ERP platforms. By doing so, you can improve data flow and functionality throughout your organization.
Training and support
Can you let someone with zero driving skills steer your favorite car on the road? Of course not, you need to train them first. Similarly, your process of modernization shouldn’t stop at deployment. You need to offer training to your employees and IT teams. It will help them grasp the new system. They will be able to utilize its features dexterously. Not to mention, resolve minor issues.
Talking about ongoing support, it is crucial to tackle any challenges that may arise after deployment. Asking for it from your hired developers also means timely implementation of system updates. You can ensure your modernized legacy application continues to fulfill business requirements.
Learn about the best system integration services in New Zealand!
Continous improvement
Our process of modernizing legacy applications will be considered incomplete without discussing this additional step. You see, businesses and technology aren’t the only things that change with time. Modernization is also like that – a continuous journey. Therefore, regularly assess your system’s performance. Collect user feedback. Updates your application to keep it in line with objectives.
This proactive strategy will guarantee that your modernized system remains a valuable resource for years to come.
Best Legacy Application Modernization Solution: Best Provider
There you go!
We told you everything important about modernizing your business’s legacy apps in 2025. As you saw above, this process is intricate. It requires a skilled team to ensure success.
*Enters API Connects*
Located in Auckland, New Zealand, we have been serving as the best system integration company for 10+ years. Supported by a team of highly skilled engineers, we excel at transforming outdated systems into agile, future-ready solutions.
Whether you want to improve performance, cut costs, or maintain a competitive edge, API Connects has the expertise to assist you cover every step of the legacy application modernization journey without hiccups. What say? Are you ready to make the change? Contact us today to initiate a discussion.
Let’s talk about your goals and build the future together!
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