7 simple upgrades for outdated software
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Let's face it: working with outdated software can be challenging. It's like being asked to race in a go-kart when everyone has sports cars. You know something needs to change, but the thought of replacing everything is daunting—not to mention costly. Here are seven straightforward ways to give your old software a new lease on life without needing to scrap it and start over.
Making your old work software feel new again
Here's a closer look at how to spruce up that old software and make your workday a bit smoother:
1. Interface Modernisation
Think of your software's interface as an old house that has yet to be redecorated in years. Updating the look with a more modern design makes it more inviting and more accessible for your team to navigate.
This could be as simple as making buttons bigger, adding colours, or organising menus more intuitively. It’s like a fresh coat of paint that can significantly boost morale and efficiency.
2. Enable it to communicate with new apps
Old software often exists in isolation, unable to "talk" to newer applications that your business might be using.
By creating or installing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), you build bridges that allow your old software to send and receive information to and from other apps. It's like updating an old phone with new apps; suddenly, it's not so outdated anymore.
3. Migrate pieces to the cloud
In upgrading your digital infrastructure, some parts of your software system might be overwhelming your current setup, especially if it's designed to handle low volumes of data or traffic.
This is where legacy application modernisation services come into play, providing a strategic approach to moving these components to the cloud.
This transition can relieve pressure on your local systems, improve performance, and enhance security. Consider moving some of your heavy furniture to a storage unit, so your home feels more spacious.
4. Organise the code closet
Over the years, the code that runs your software can become cluttered and tangled, making it hard to update or fix bugs without causing new problems.
By cleaning up this code—organising, documenting, and perhaps even rewriting parts—you make the software more flexible and easier to maintain. It’s akin to organising a closet: it takes time, but finding what you need becomes much more accessible.
5. Custom buttons for custom needs
Sometimes, the little custom features that cater to your specific workflows make software useful to a team.
Adding these through custom user experience (UX) layers or plugins allows you to tailor your software to better meet your needs without overhauling the entire system. It's like adding custom shelves to a closet to make it just right for your stuff.
6. Bolt your digital doors
In today's world, digital security is more important than ever. According to Statista, more than half of the surveyed companies see increasing security and efficiency as the primary drivers for modernising legacy applications and data in 2023.
Upgrading how your software handles logins and user permissions puts a more robust lock on your digital doors, protecting your business's and customers' data from unauthorised access. Think of it as installing a modern security system in your home, with cameras and smart locks.
7. Organise and protect your data
Data is the lifeblood of modern business. By moving your data into more modern databases or data management systems, you can secure it better and make it easier for your team to use and analyse.
This step prepares the ground for future software upgrades by ensuring your data is already in good shape. Consider this like digitising a room full of paper records—it’s safer, takes up less space, and is much easier to search.
Getting Started
The first step in this journey is to take a good, hard look at your existing software. Understand where it's lacking and what aspects are causing the most frustration among your team. Engaging with the people who use and maintain the software daily can provide invaluable insights.
Once you have a solid understanding of your current state, compare that against what you need your software to do. Consider which upgrades can address your most pressing needs without uprooting your entire operation. Remember, the goal here is gradual improvement, making your software better able to serve its purpose today and more accessible to replace or upgrade in the future when the time is right.
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