Legacy middleware has served its purpose faithfully for decades. Today, the increasing pressure to deliver fast and modern experiences has stretched middleware integration technology to its limits, with many integrations unable to keep up with the demand for speed and flexibility.
5 considerations to ensure seamless migration
Migrating legacy middleware to a cloud-based platform helps organizations keep pace with evolving customer expectations and expanding cybersecurity threats. It also helps enhance their operational efficiency and expand their capacity to innovate with new technologies.
Migrating away from legacy integrations is a big step toward modernization, and it requires a strategic approach designed to avoid disruptions and get the most out of your migration investments. To help you navigate potential migration challenges, we’ve compiled a list of five considerations that can impact migration decisions and outcomes.
1. Be smart, start small
While migrating everything in one go may be tempting, the rip-and-replace migration approach can be complicated. Integrations can break, and unforeseen obstacles can cause delays and business disruptions. This approach also creates testing and troubleshooting headaches that make it difficult to ensure post-migration success. Remember that migration doesn’t end with the implementation — it includes the ongoing maintenance — which is what makes the “big bang” more risky than a phased approach.
2. Plan carefully and have a clear strategy
Not every legacy integration requires replacement right out of the gate. Assess and map out your existing legacy integrations to determine which ones need a full replacement and which can harmoniously coexist with your digital transformation initiatives. Then, prioritize these assessments based on their readiness for change to ensure your migration plan aligns with your organization’s overarching goals and objectives. By identifying the integrations ready for transformation, you can streamline your digital journey and optimize resources.
3. Invest in the right products
It’s critical to select tools that can evolve alongside your organization’s plans for modernization. Customer demands are always evolving, and your organization must be able to adapt to those changes. When you’re evaluating tools, look for features such as accelerators, connectors, and customizable products that can seamlessly integrate with your evolving infrastructure. By prioritizing scalability, you can ensure your technology investments remain relevant and effective as your business expands and evolves over time.
4. Build with security top of mind
When moving from on-premises to cloud-based systems, organizations must maintain industry standards and regulations. Make sure to prioritize robust security measures and stringent compliance protocols to mitigate risks associated with data breaches or regulatory non-compliance. By ensuring security and compliance at every stage of the migration journey, you can safeguard sensitive information and maintain trust with stakeholders.
5. Rely on the right people for the job to ensure success
When it comes to legacy migration, the solutions you use are only part of the equation. You also need the right people to implement and develop using that technology. Make sure you have access to tech talent with the expertise and understanding to support the solution for the long term, and consider whether there are adequate services and teams outside your organization that can help you scope and implement those solutions.
“Modernization helps open up opportunities for organizations that would not have been possible through legacy software. It helps with increased productivity, optimal utilization of resources, and better connected experiences.”
– Pradeep Tallogu, Head of CoE at Prowess Soft
Consider your own migration
Migrating off of legacy middleware requires careful planning and execution. Read our whitepaper on legacy migration strategies and learn how to enable seamless digital transformation by migrating your integrations with MuleSoft.
