Most organizations have one or more legacy software applications that they use on a regular basis. But what makes a software application a “legacy” software application? Businesses rely on software which is critical to their daily operations. Some of those software programs are outdated or obsolete. They might be unsupported by the vendor for a variety of different reasons. Maybe it’s built on a platform or written in a language which is no longer mainstream. Or it might be the developers who created the application are long gone.
You might find yourself saying things like, “Don’t touch that code, because we don’t fully understand what it does or how it was written.” Let’s not forget that old sage advice, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” These are the sort of things we hear often about legacy software.
Even using the word “obsolete” is ironic, considering that it’s a word being used to describe software that your business cannot run without. The first problem is that your definition of obsolete may not be the same as someone else’s. The second issue is that rumors of a technology’s demise may come long before it has surpassed its usefulness.
That’s not to say that rumors or speculation should be ignored. If users and developers begin to flock to other technologies, it can leave you in a precarious position. Assessing the risk that your legacy application presents is so important.
5 Important Questions to Ask About Your Application:
- What impact would it have on my business if this application suddenly did not work?
- What other technologies does this application depend on? (Think of browsers, operating systems, and hardware requirements)
- What resources are available if I have a problem?
- What methods are available to export data from this application if necessary?
- What disaster plans are in place and how does this application fit in them?
Thinking about the answers to these questions will help you start to recognize the risks involved. Ticomix has made it our business to help you navigate these risks. Call us today to learn more about how we can help.