Almost every growing company has one: a web application that was built years ago, still runs something important, and that nobody wants to touch. It is slow, hard to change and difficult to secure. Modernizing it feels risky, but leaving it alone usually costs more over time.
Signs it is time to modernize
- Small changes take weeks and often break something else.
- The app does not work well on phones or tablets.
- It relies on outdated frameworks or versions that no longer get security updates.
- It is hard to connect to other systems, such as SAP, CRM or payment providers.
- Hosting and maintenance costs keep rising.
Refactor, rebuild or replace?
Refactor
Improve the existing code step by step: update frameworks, clean up the structure, add tests and move it to the cloud. Choose this when the business logic is sound and the main problems are technical.
Rebuild
Write the application again with a modern stack, keeping what works in the current product. Choose this when the code is too fragile to improve but the product itself still fits the business.
Replace
Move to an off-the-shelf platform or SaaS product. Choose this when the app does something standard that a mature product already does well.
Practices that make modernization safer
- Modernize in slices. Move one feature or module at a time instead of a single big switch-over.
- Put APIs in front. A clean API layer lets the old and new parts work side by side during the transition.
- Automate testing and deployment. DevOps practices catch problems early and make releases routine.
- Design for mobile first. Most users will meet your app on a phone.
- Measure performance. Set clear targets for speed and uptime, and monitor them after launch.
What a modern web application looks like
A modern web app is fast, secure and responsive on any device. It is built on a well-supported technology stack, connects to other systems through APIs, runs in the cloud where it can scale, and is easy for your team to change. Just as important, it is designed around the people who use it every day.
The goal of modernization is not new technology for its own sake. It is software that can change as fast as your business does.
How Data ETL can help
Data ETL builds and modernizes web applications, portals and mobile apps, and connects them to the systems your business runs on, including SAP. From architecture strategy and cloud migration to ongoing support and performance tuning, we cover the whole life of your application.
Have an application that needs a fresh start? See our application modernization services or tell us about your project.