EMPOWERING MANUFACTURING THROUGH APPLICATION MODERNISATION
Navigating concerns and leveraging lessons learned
Modernisation is a complex affair
Gartner estimates that by 2025, companies will be spending approximately 40% of their IT budgets on simply maintaining technical debt. To circumvent these costs, manufacturers need a strategic approach involving careful planning, stakeholder involvement, risk management and engagement with reliable technology partners.
This whitepaper will provide a comprehensive guide for manufacturing managers embarking on application modernisation projects.
With the right team, knowledge, and tools, modernisation projects present great potential, enabling organisations to enhance operational efficiency and drive innovation and growth. However, such projects often involve pressing managerial concerns on navigating the complex journey of updating legacy systems, ensuring they remain relevant and practical in today's fast-paced, technology-driven market.
The most common Application Modernisation managerial concerns
Keeping Up with Innovation
Manufacturers sometimes hesitate to invest in technology that might quickly become outdated. Application modernisation tackles this concern by employing strategies like encapsulation, rehosting and refactoring. These approaches ensure that applications can adapt to emerging technologies, allowing organisations to future-proof their systems while maintaining stability.
Ensuring Data Security and Privacy
The modernisation process incorporates robust security measures to mitigate the risks of data breaches. By utilising encapsulation and refactoring techniques, sensitive components are isolated and redesigned according to regulatory standards.
Managing Costs and Return on Investment (ROI)
The fear of high upfront costs and uncertain ROI can hinder modernisation efforts. With the application of modernisation's phased approach, organisations can effectively manage costs by gradually implementing changes. This allows for better control over expenses while maximising returns on investment.
Ensuring Long-term Positive Outcomes
Lengthy modernisation projects benefit significantly from agile methodologies, incremental implementation, and regular alignment assessments. These actions ensure that projects evolve together with the organisations' needs, adapt to the dynamic environment and provide long-term benefits.
Adapting to New Technology
The more new technologies and UX/UI practices are integrated into legacy software, the more help end-users need to adapt to the changes. A gradual development approach, clear communication, and comprehensive training can lessen this challenge, enabling users to get used to the changes as they're implemented.
Nurturing In-house Expertise
Sustained modernisation success with minimal disruption requires internal expertise to manage the new technologies and applications. To address this potential challenge, organisations should pick a tech partner that can offer expert knowledge, training, and long-term support.
Operational Challenges
Efficient system integration is of utmost importance in modernisation. Re-platforming and encapsulation enable clients to seamlessly incorporate new technologies without encountering significant operational difficulties. By implementing rigorous testing and validation protocols, integration issues can be proactively identified and resolved, guaranteeing a seamless transition.
Operational Downtime
The objective of minimising operational disruptions can be accomplished through modernisation strategies that prioritise uninterrupted business operations. Adopting a phased approach allows gradual changes, thereby reducing the risk of prolonged downtime. This ensures a smooth transition with minimal impact, robust testing, parallel run strategies, and effective change management practices are implemented.