Unlocking Success: Main Benefits of Application Modernization

Application modernization is more than just a tech upgrade – it's an essential strategy for businesses striving to stay competitive in our fast-paced digital era.  

Remarkably, about 92% of companies are either planning or actively engaged in modernization initiatives. This surge in modernization efforts is a testament to its critical role in meeting the ever-increasing demand for swift, accessible, and innovative solutions.  

Additionally, app modernization comes with lots of benefits as it drives growth and customer satisfaction.  

But what exactly are the benefits of application modernization, and how can they propel your business forward? 

Let's delve into the transformative power of application modernization, its benefits, and how you can leverage them for business success. 

Why is Application Modernization Important? 

Application modernization helps businesses overcome all the limitations posed by legacy systems, which often include:  

• Incompatibility and integration issues: Legacy applications struggle to integrate with contemporary technologies such as AI, IoT, and Cloud, hindering an organization's ability to fully embrace digital transformation. This incompatibility leads to undesired maintenance costs and operational inefficiencies.  
• Scarcity of expertise: As technology evolves, the pool of experts skilled in maintaining and updating legacy code dwindles, posing a significant challenge for businesses relying on outdated systems.  

And did you know that: 

• 88% of organizations continue to be hindered by legacy systems.  
• About 90% of businesses are unable to fully leverage digital technologies due to reliance on legacy systems. 
• Operating and maintaining legacy systems costs an astounding $337 million annually. 
• Application modernization can reduce this cost by 30-50%. 

Application modernization is all about harnessing efficiency and innovation to stay competitive in today's market and being prepared for tomorrow's challenges. 

But what benefits exactly does it bring? 

Benefits of Application Modernization 

By embracing enterprise application modernization, businesses unlock a myriad of benefits that can propel them towards greater success and sustainability.  

Let's delve into these specific app modernization benefits and understand how they contribute to business growth and resilience. 

1. Relevance and Competitive Edge 

Application modernization allows you to swiftly adapt to market changes and technological advancements. 

The result? You can get way ahead of competitors who may still be tethered to outdated systems.  

By integrating cutting-edge technologies like cloud computing, AI, and machine learning, you can streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and foster innovation. Additionally, modernized applications empower you to respond rapidly to emerging trends and customer needs. 

2. Productivity Boost 

Modernized applications, equipped with advanced tools and features, simplify operations and reduce the need for intensive training.  

Consider this: modern systems often automate repetitive tasks and integrate seamlessly with new processes, freeing up valuable time for innovation and strategic tasks. This transformation not only enhances employee productivity but also accelerates time-to-market, giving businesses a competitive edge.  

For example, a cloud-based system can support a team working across various locations and time zones, fostering better connectivity, collaboration, and creativity.  

3. Improved User Journey and Customer Satisfaction 

When applications are sluggish or outdated, not only do customers face frustration, but employees also encounter productivity roadblocks. 

Application modernization, such as cloud migration, can drastically improve the speed and efficiency of digital systems. This ensures a seamless and responsive experience that meets the expectations of both customers and employees.  

For instance, consider a higher education client struggling with slow data import processes in their student recruitment platform. Post-modernization, a process that once took a day was reduced to just an hour, significantly improving user satisfaction and operational efficiency.  

This is about more than just aesthetics – it's about creating intuitive, information-rich, and secure digital experiences that resonate with users and elevate your brand's reputation. 

4. Reduced Technical Debt and Operational Costs 

Legacy systems, often riddled with disorganized code, demand high maintenance costs and are prone to bugs, hindering the addition of new features.  

By focusing on clean, streamlined code during modernization, maintenance costs drop significantly, freeing up resources for innovation rather than just upkeep. This not only benefits the financial health of the company but also provides a more stimulating work environment for tech teams, moving away from the monotony of debugging outdated systems.  

Moreover, modernization often involves transitioning to cloud-based solutions, which offer a more cost-effective model. This means companies only pay for what they use, eliminating the need for expensive, on-premise data centers.

5. Business Agility 

Business agility fundamentally transforms how companies adapt to market changes and customer needs. 

So, what does business agility through application modernization look like?  

It's about the ability to pivot rapidly, respond to market fluctuations, and meet evolving customer expectations with ease. Modernized applications streamline operational processes, making it simpler and faster to implement changes and add new functionalities.  

For instance, by adopting microservices or cloud-based solutions, companies can deploy updates and enhancements without the downtime associated with traditional systems. This approach significantly accelerates development cycles and ensures that businesses can swiftly adapt to new opportunities or challenges.

6. Optimized Security 

Older systems often lack compatibility with current security protocols and fail to receive timely updates, leaving them open to attacks.  

But why is modernization key to enhanced security?  

By modernizing applications, companies can incorporate advanced security measures, ensuring compliance with the latest standards and robust protection against emerging threats.  

For example, migrating to cloud platforms like AWS or Azure not only brings an application up to date but also taps into the sophisticated security infrastructure these platforms offer. This transition means accessing a suite of tools designed for real-time threat detection, data encryption, and compliance management, significantly reducing the likelihood of breaches. 

7. Expansion and Broader Revenue Streams 

By updating their existing systems, businesses can tap into new markets and offer innovative services that align with evolving customer expectations.  

How does this transformation lead to financial growth?  

Modernized applications enable businesses to introduce novel features, such as online payment options, enhanced customer support, or engaging digital experiences. These advancements not only improve customer engagement but also present opportunities for monetization.  

For instance, consider a retail company that integrates augmented reality into its shopping app. This technology allows customers to virtually try products before purchasing, enhancing the shopping experience, boosting customer engagement, and driving sales. 

8. Enhanced Support and Maintenance 

As legacy systems age, they often become a labyrinth of outdated code and escalating maintenance costs. Legacy app modernization streamlines these processes, leading to more efficient and cost-effective operations.  

How does modernization achieve this?  

By transitioning to newer platforms, businesses can integrate their systems with the latest technological advancements, ensuring better compatibility and easier maintenance. Modernization also enables organizations to adopt more agile methodologies, such as containerization and orchestration, which simplify deployment and management of applications.  

For instance, by employing microservices-based application modernization, a business can isolate different functions of an application, making it easier to update and maintain individual components without disrupting the entire system. This modular approach significantly reduces downtime and enhances the overall reliability of the system. 

Application Modernization Challenges 

While modernized applications come with lots of benefits, the process also comes with a few obstacles. 

Here are some of the primary application modernization challenges you should be aware of:  

• Insufficient analysis and planning: Overlooking the complexity of existing systems and failing to conduct thorough analysis can lead to unrealistic timelines and poor planning. Inadequate resources and a lack of engagement from key stakeholders can also create significant obstacles. 
• Technology and execution missteps: Selecting inappropriate technologies or poor execution strategies can derail the entire modernization process. That's why it's essential to choose technologies that are not only advanced but also compatible with the organization's needs.  
• Security and compliance oversights: Neglecting security and regulatory compliance can lead to serious legal and operational risks. To avoid this, you should plan for a comprehensive review of security protocols and adherence to relevant regulations.  
• Dealing with inflexible and aging IT systems: Also, you should keep in mind that aging and poorly integrated IT systems can hinder an organization's ability to innovate and deliver new products and services efficiently.  
• Aligning IT with business strategy: Ensuring that IT initiatives are in sync with the broader business strategy is critical. The IT should be flexible enough to adapt and provide solutions that add real-time value to the business. 

How to Leverage the Application Modernization Benefits as a Business 

Despite the inherent risks and hurdles, there are clear steps businesses can take to maximize the advantages of modernizing their applications: 

1. Prepare a Solid Business Case 

This will serve as your roadmap, justifying the need for change and outlining the expected benefits and risks. 

• Understand the why: Begin by comprehensively understanding why application modernization is crucial for your business. Consider factors such as staying competitive, improving customer experience, and enhancing operational efficiency. 
• Quantify the benefits: Quantify the potential benefits in terms of cost savings, revenue growth, and productivity enhancements. This will help in getting buy-in from stakeholders. 
• Assess the risks and ROI: Evaluate the risks involved and calculate your ROI. A well-articulated business case helps justify modernization efforts and align them with business goals. 

2. Prepare a Thorough Application Modernization Strategy 

Crafting a detailed application modernization strategy is key to aligning technological upgrades with business objectives. It involves: 

• Defining your goals and objectives: Clearly outline what you aim to achieve through modernization. This could range from increased scalability and improved security to better user experience and security. 
• Choosing the right approach: Whether it’s re-platforming, refactoring, or replacing, select an approach that aligns with your business needs.  
• Planning for integration and scalability: Ensure that the modernized applications can seamlessly integrate with existing systems and are scalable to meet future business needs.  

3. Test, Observe and Optimize 

This phase is crucial for identifying potential issues and making necessary adjustments. This comprises of: 

• Iterative testing: Continuously test the application during the modernization process. This helps identify and rectify any issues early on. 
• Monitor performance: Regularly monitor the application’s performance post-modernization. Look for improvements in speed, user experience, and functionality. 
• Optimize based on feedback: Use feedback from users and stakeholders to further optimize the application. This ensures that the modernized application continually aligns with evolving business and user requirements. 

Leverage the Power of Application Modernization with Mertech 

Application Modernization Use Case: Freight Management Systems 

With a vision to revamp their quarter-century-old transportation management software, Freight Management Systems faced the daunting task of shifting from a desktop-centric to a cloud-based framework.  

The goal was clear: to stay competitive and relevant in the global market.  

Collaborating with Mertech, FMS focused on revitalizing its legacy system while preserving the integrity of its extensive back-end code. Utilizing Mertech's Thriftly platform, the transformation predominantly targeted the front-end, enabling the creation of web modules linked to the existing system.  

The metamorphosis led by Mertech was transformative for FMS. This overhaul not only enhanced the design and user experience of their product but also allowed for the addition of new services like EDI.  

As a result, FMS witnessed an expansion in service offerings and customer engagement, boosting customer retention and attracting new business. The shift to a web-based platform was particularly crucial in adapting to the modern remote workforce and broadening their market presence.  

Ready to harness the benefits of application modernization for your enterprise? Partner with Mertech for a strategic and successful transformation. Let's redefine your business's digital journey together. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any other questions on application modernization, check out the answers to some commonly asked questions: