Legacy systems such as mainframes cause headaches for CIOs. The modernization with transferring the applications and data to the cloud seems to be the solution. It is also associated with some challenges. You can find out which procedures you should have on your screen in our guide.
Many companies are trying to transfer their applications and data to the cloud. The advantage of cloud migration. It started on a large scale only a few years ago, is not only the modernization of the application landscape. But also that organizations can use it to free themselves from the expensive maintenance of their own data centers.
The greatest difficulty is often the technology migration services of data and applications.
How do businesses migrate those legacy applications?
What must do the extended development team? Lift-and-shift refers to direct migration. The infrastructure and applications are transferred from a local hypervisor. It happens unchanged in the public cloud. Proponents of this approach see the public cloud as the ideal place to then address optimizations.
Lift-and-extend is a different approach. In this case, the applications are adapted for the Platform-as-a-Service or PaaS level of the cloud provider. Companies can use this tech platform to expand their applications. Major system integrators and some cloud specialists are well prepared for such projects.
Hybrid Extension does not transfer the applications, but “extends” them into the cloud. New functions are set up in the public cloud. But most of the existing functions remain in one place. It’s better than, in a hosted private cloud, or with a colocation provider. Higher latency times between the different locations could prove to be disadvantageous. Forrester sees the large system integrators and consultancy firms as well-positioned for this.
Full rebuild based on the motto “everything over again” can pay off in certain cases with high investments. It should be limited to a smaller number of selected systems according to Forrester. In this way, self-developed applications could be made “cloud-ready”. This is accompanied by a gain in performance. It is possible to convert the applications into the modern programming language.
But, often, it may also be wise to trust managed services. Also, it says that the key to success is identifying meaningful application clusters. They remain effective and not lose any chance of economies of scale. For the application portfolio, sorting into the next four clusters or groupings has proven to be effective.
- Removal means that outdated applications that no longer work or become meaningless are removed.
- Save refers to applications that can continue to run in their current form.
- Rework is bringing useful applications to the new platform for deep modernization.
- Off-the-shelf software is especially promising if business processes can be migrated to applications.
An extended software development teamwork is especially suitable for not available applications with specialized functions. This approach is costly, time-consuming, and most risky. The definition of requirements also entails difficulties for specialized departments. The new development makes sense if business models need to change. For example, when converting classic insurance policies into an on-demand insurance model.
Code transformation is based on transforming applications with tools on a modern platform such as Java or Net. The logic and functionality of the application are preserved. Code conversion also allows re-hosting on a lower-cost platform. It prevents unwanted write-offs if older applications are replaced.
As also noted, so far it has been traded where legacy applications could be replaced with standard software. But what works in mainframe environments can usually only be upgraded… Transformation usually provides a better business case as well as faster upgrades to a cloud architecture.
What can go wrong when migrating those legacy applications
Does it follow cloud-based principles for high availability?
Does it depend on its current infrastructure? What tools do you use to manage and enforce security policies around the application?
What tools are used to manage access to the systems?
Organizations should also opt for a cloud for each application. For example, cloud-native applications with no external dependencies. Others, with more complex dependencies in the data center. It can be moved more and with less risk to managed private clouds-as-a-service.
A quick migration with reduced risks is the fastest way to cover costs and save. Most companies are finding a partner with in-depth expertise in public. With private, and hybrid cloud solutions that offer the best path to success. With expert know-how, they bring their own applications to the right cloud -, and with the least risk.
Rackspace customers have recently been able to select those services from service blocks. They need and for which experts deliver tailored and optimized results. Companies save between 40 and 60 percent of the costs when they switch to a managed private or public cloud service. A good part of this comes from hardware use, administration tools, and self-service.
Avoid the pitfalls with an experienced cloud provider
Disconnecting from your own data center isn’t always the best option. Before doing this, you should weigh the opportunities and risks. Besides, there is no single perfect solution when it comes to dealing with legacy systems and moving applications and data to the cloud.
You should also consider your own requirements. After all, it may be important for some companies or departments to keep costs down. Others may already be thinking about the future. About what they want to develop new products and services. Business models as part of a digital transformation based on modernizing old data. While major cloud providers are pushing for the fastest migration possible, this can also come with high costs and latency issues.
