Recognizing Legacy Software

Congratulations! If your organization has been around, chances are you have a legacy system. Oftentimes, legacy software was custom built or fit for the company and the path of maintenance and upgrade is not clear cut. But how to identify it? Here are some telltale signs:

1. It’s Broken!

Does this story sound vaguely familiar? A crucial piece of software starts acting flaky, takes too long to process reports, and the original genius behind it is now working for Google and doesn’t want anything to do with it.

Legacy software can (or some would say “always”) break. Quick prototypes have their place, and there is something to be said for keeping it simple and not overbuilding a system, but when a program becomes indispensable, it deserves the care, talent and experience to ensure reliability.

2. We Outgrew It!

A more exciting scenario arises when the story is a result of company growth: “We’ve used this software for years, and our business has grown to the point where we need more features, changes are required and the pace of development can’t keep up.”

Business growth is challenging, and your software needs to keep supporting its primary mission – making your business easier to run without bogging you down. In an ideal world, when your business changes, your software evolves alongside it. And just like you can outgrow the current state of your system, you may also be at a point where your internal developers aren’t able to keep up with the rate of modernization you need to bridge the gap between growth and software evolution.

3. Security is a Major Concern!

In an era of cyber threats, data breaches and malicious hackers, the concern of security lingers. Is your legacy software a vulnerable point waiting to be exploited?

It’s a valid question. Legacy applications vary in their security posture from wide open to fully-equipped with a tight defense wall. It all depends on how security conscious the developers of the application were. Covering all the aspects of web application security is an art in itself, but at Code Pros, we have tools, procedures, and standards of security we use to ensure legacy applications have a mitigated security risk profile. When considering developers, delve into their security measures to ensure a robust defense against modern threats.

The Good News about Legacy Software

Contrary to the perception of some, legacy software isn’t a curse nor does it need to be thrown out with yesterday’s garbage. In fact, it is the norm, present in the vast majority of businesses. The key lies in identifying critical software components and proactively caring for them. Legacy application maintenance and modernization aren’t just buzzwords; they are strategic moves to keep your business running reliably, adapting to new opportunities and standing resilient against external threats.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, legacy software isn’t a problem – it’s an opportunity. Embrace it, nurture it, and let Code Pros guide you in ensuring your software legacy becomes a cornerstone for your continued success.