Scaling Up with Legacy Software: Overcoming Growth Challenges
Many companies, as they grow, find themselves grappling with the challenges of legacy software that are central to running a portion of their business. Even with forward thinking systems, the evolution of a business can outpace the capabilities of existing software. Let’s explore some specific growth challenges with legacy software and viable solutions.
Challenges
People Scalability
As businesses grow, adding team members becomes a necessity. The scalability of your software should align with this growth. For example, initially one person could efficiently manage five customers with the software. However, as the customer base reaches twenty, additional people are needed to support the customers. Further expansion introduces a layer of management, with employees taking more specialized roles. This specialization prompts an important consideration: Should everyone have access to all the software functions? For instance, does someone from HR need visibility into the financials of a different department? Evaluating these dynamics may necessitate system adjustments to accommodate the growing team and their areas of responsibility. Consider whether your legacy software is poised to address this evolving challenge.
Insufficient Functionality
Business growth and change go hand-in-hand, often impacting operational requirements. To help navigate this more smoothly, software should adapt to support the evolving needs of the business. In assessing for insufficient functionality, consider user feedback, competitive benchmarks, and scalability assessments. If your software lacks features identified by user input, falls behind industry standards, or exhibits scalability issues hindering future growth, it’s crucial to evaluate and update accordingly.
Poor Performance
When developing software, specific system requirements are established to meet the anticipated workload that it will support. Some systems, efficient with a limited user base, struggle and slow down when the user count increases. As a consequence, report generation times lengthen, the overall application feels slower, and this diminished user experience can lead employees to try other applications. This can disrupt process, fragment data and minimize the purpose of the original software.
When growth strains your current software platform, two options emerge: replace or enhance. For many, given the unique nature of the business software, finding suitable replacement options might be challenging or too expensive, so updating becomes the preferred path. If you choose to update your existing software, consider the following tips.
Solutions
Implement Access Controls
Going back to scaling systems as you add new roles and employees to the team, there is a tipping point that emerges for a more defined division of responsibility. As a best practice, incorporating access controls into your software becomes crucial. This involves working with a specialized team that can work with your legacy software and retrofit role-based permissions, creating functionality based on user role and access needs.
While it may seem like a significant shift, it’s an important one to make. We have successfully guided businesses through such transitions, providing tailored solutions like moving from a one-login-per-business model to an Admin/Manager/User setup per business in one instance. In another example, an IT manager found their company had no way to change the permission levels themselves, they had to rely on programmers to complete the task. Code Pros was able to enhance the software to allow the IT administrator to change permission levels without having to go through the tech team, saving time and money. The goal is not just to adapt but to empower, ensuring smoother operations and greater control over your system.
Prioritize and Add Features
If your software meets 70% of your needs, you’re not alone. Software is inherently adaptable and features can be added after it’s been in use for years. Make sure to collaborate with a technology partner that is experienced in retrofitting functionality into legacy applications.
Consider focusing on areas that deliver the most value to your business, whether it’s improving scalability, enhancing performance, optimizing reporting capabilities, or maximizing ROI. Prioritize user-focused features to boost employee satisfaction and operational efficiency. Moreover, think beyond immediate needs; consider future-proofing your software by anticipating changes that will help your business evolve. Align new features with scalability and industry trends to ensure the long-term effectiveness of your software. A strategic approach, guided by a knowledgeable technology partner, can turn your software into a dynamic asset that continuously meets and exceeds your business requirements.
System Speed Optimizations
A sluggish system is a hurdle, but an adept development team can address this challenge. Speed enhancements not only boost user satisfaction but also streamline essential processes. Case in point, while other companies suggested replacing an old EHR system, Code Pros addressed a major pain point by speeding up report generation by 20x. The impact of speeding up an e-commerce catalog, or another system where end users interact, not only improves employees’ attitudes towards using the software but also reinforces the value of the platform. Ultimately, identifying slowdowns, fixing them, and optimizing system speed, will foster a positive user experience.
As your business grows, the uncertainty of how your software systems will support this evolution can be overwhelming. However, by recognizing and addressing the challenges we’ve highlighted, you can navigate these complexities with confidence. With the proper technology partner at your side, and implementing some of the solutions we’ve proposed, from access controls to system optimizations, this will serve as a roadmap to ensure your company runs smoothly throughout its expansion. This journey is not without its hurdles, but with a thoughtful approach, you can enhance your software and make the path of growth more manageable, fostering a future where your operations thrive.
