Legacy systems might be getting the job done for your business, but how many times have you heard someone complain that something is loading too slowly, or that they’ve lost their work again to another crash? We're going to look at some of the top reasons that you should consider upgrading your legacy system and what effect it will have on your business.
Direct cost
A legacy system comes with old tools that operate using old languages with different approaches to coding. With these features, finding the right person for the job to update your software to your needs can be difficult, as it won't be something software engineers specialise in anymore. This means that the ongoing cost for the software to be updated by a specialist professional can be quite expensive to upkeep, which in the long term may lead to a more expensive price tag than an investment in some new systems.
Changes in work environment
Software is optimised for its current time of use, meaning that old software usually doesn’t fit very well in new environments. With the changes to hardware and operating systems, this software can often clash and cause compatibility issues resulting in excessive resource consumption and crashes/performance instability. This can lead to user frustration, which can cause your whole team to lose morale. The way in which systems function has changed, which limits how effective the software is for contemporary situations, which leads to our next point - working conditions.
Legacy software isn't suitable for easy access
The COVID-19 pandemic caused plenty of issues in the working world, however it has also taught us some things, such as the importance of the cloud and how it's more straightforward than ever before to work from home. Old software, on the other hand, may not function very well from multiple access points or may not even support the cloud. This strikes out the capability for employees to have the choice between working at the office or working from home, which may limit productivity.
More recent software also likely has a crossover app, allowing for further access points and potentially an easier way to connect with customers through a feedback section that could directly integrate into your software. Technology like this was not available in the past and would be difficult to slot in now.
New software has better compatibility and information grabbing
One of the most significant things in a good piece of software is its capability to work well with other software that you use. Software integration cuts out lots of repetitive, tedious tasks by allowing you to directly input data from one piece of software to another in order to make use of all features that your business requires.
Data insights are incredibly important in finding out how your customers interact with your brand. Understanding your customers with accurate data can lead to well informed business decisions that otherwise would be dependant on assumptions, which are risky to plan around. New software has a stronger emphasis on this by providing key insights that will keep your team most focused around what is important.
Is your business safe with a legacy system?
When demand decreases for the use of an old software, developers will discontinue support so that they can dedicate resources to more recent developments. This includes security patches, which protect you from attacks and breaches that are incredibly detrimental for your brand. While old software lacks this protection, new software easily can avoid most of these with no special attention other than regular updates. Keeping your business safe, and your users' data safe, is very important to avoid any potential legal ramifications.
Cyber attacks are not the only concern, as old software that functions differently may not abide by new regulations and standards. This can often be threatening in the area of handling private data, which old software may have less considerations towards. Concerns like this can result in costly fines and damage to your business’ reputation.
User experience is increasingly important
With the increase in use of technology in all areas of life, the demand from both customers and employees has increased to the point where they expect an intuitive experience. Legacy software lacks this tidy structure and often contains bugs and functions that have limitations on the processes that you need. Poor user experience can lead to frustration, which will further decrease the productivity of your team.
Stay competitive
The most important part to a business is staying ahead of the curve and doing what your competitors do better. Keeping up to date with fresh systems will offer you access to the new digital technology trends such as artificial intelligence and 5G, which could be the additional push you need to give you an advantage in your field.
Find out how Point100 can help you to modernise your legacy applications, or aid digital transformation.
