Legacy Application Modernization: Sorting Through the Options from an Application Development Perspective

This IDC Perspective examines key considerations related to the modernization of legacy applications by quantifying the progress of legacy application modernization in the application development landscape. The document also provides technology buyers with guidance about strategic planning related to legacy application modernization and best practices regarding its execution."Legacy application modernization requires a multivalent and highly strategic approach to ensure that enterprises achieve their modernization goals," said Arnal Dayaratna, research director, Software Development, IDC. "Buyers should take the time to carefully conduct modernization assessments of their fleet of legacy applications to determine the return on investment and optimal path forward with respect to the modernization of select digital assets. Importantly, buyers need to understand that modernization is not a teleological process that culminates in the refactoring of monolithic applications into microservices. Legacy application modernization leverages a multitude of approaches and tools and should be understood as a continuous practice or activity that is repeatedly, incrementally performed."

Executive Snapshot

Situation Overview

• Definitions
• COVID-19 and Legacy Application Modernization
• Legacy Application Modernization
• Comparing Different Modernization Modalities

Advice for the Technology Buyer

• Understand That Modernization Can Take Place Through Several Modalities
• Understand That Modernization Is an Ongoing Process
• Recognize That Modernization Is Not Necessarily About Decomposing a Monolithic Application into Microservices
• Develop a Strategic Road Map for Modernization
• Conduct a Modernization Assessment

Learn More

• Related Research
• Synopsis