Application Modernization: a Complete Guide to Aligning Tech Strategy with Business Objectives
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Application Modernization: a Complete Guide to Aligning Tech Strategy with Business Objectives

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When your application struggles to keep pace with growing business demands, finding the most effective modernization strategy becomes crucial. However, considering application modernization as a solution brings up several important questions:

  • Is application modernization the right way to achieve your business objectives? 
  • What business outcomes can you expect as a result of application modernization?
  • What are the approaches for app modernization and which one to choose?
  • How to choose a trusted company for your application modernization project? 

This article addresses these questions and guides you in confidently transforming your outdated applications. Drawing on over a decade of experience in building and modernizing software, I’ll share practical insights from our team and highlight real-world examples of successful product modernization. 

What is application modernization?

Application modernization involves updating older software to align with modern technologies and computing methods, including the use of newer languages, frameworks, and infrastructure platforms. This practice is connected with potential benefits from enhanced efficiency, safety, and structural integrity. Instead of completely replacing an existing system, application modernization extends the lifespan of the product while incorporating the latest technological advancements.

When and why applications need modernization

Outdated applications often present a variety of challenges that can compromise their quality and slow down business performance. Such applications are also called legacy applications. Here are some common issues associated with old applications:

  1. Product maintenance challenges: As technologies used in old applications become outdated, maintaining and servicing these systems becomes increasingly difficult. Outdated tools require timely updates or replacements, and code, often plagued by bugs and inconsistent practices, can become a complicated mess to deal with.
  2. Issues with scalability: Outdated applications frequently struggle to scale in response to evolving business needs and growth, limiting business expansion and adaptability.
  3. Security issues: Outdated technologies and insufficient focus on security during initial development make products highly vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
  4. Incompatibility: Outdated apps often encounter compatibility issues with new technologies and software, causing integration problems when connecting with modern systems.
  5. Issues with adding new features: The complex structure and dependencies of outdated systems make it challenging to introduce modifications and new features.
  6. Service costs: Maintaining outdated applications can be costly due to the need for specialists skilled in outdated technologies, driving up overall maintenance expenses.
  7. Changing user expectations: If your application’s user interface and user experience (UI/UX) are outdated and not aligned with modern design trends and user expectations, it can lead to user dissatisfaction.
  8. Inability to align with the demands of business transformation: If your organization is undergoing a digital transformation or shifting its business model, your applications also need to adapt and support new capabilities.

Statista reports the main reasons that drive application modernization among companies. 

In the next section of this article, I’ll delve into the benefits of modernizing applications and explore how this transformation can help businesses achieve enhanced efficiency, security, and scalability.

10 key business benefits of application modernization

When prioritizing your business goals, it’s important to consider the potential benefits of application modernization. Here are the top 10 possible advantages:

  1. Enhanced user experience: Modernized solutions offer better performance, intuitive interfaces, information-rich dashboards, simplified interactions, smoother onboarding, and improved website security for both clients and internal teams.
  2. Increased product flexibility: Transitioning from outdated to modernized applications, for example, with the use of SaaS,  provides a more personalized experience for users. It also allows your team to customize features and functions based on real-time analytics and feedback.
  3. Optimized IT costs: Modernized applications enable rapid scaling according to market demand, maximizing efficiency without compromising performance, and reducing IT infrastructure expenses.
  4. Greater speed and agility: Modernized applications can be updated and maintained more efficiently, allowing for faster deployments and the ability to meet market demands seamlessly.
  5. Increased productivity: A modernized application enhances connectivity, collaboration, innovation, and creativity by supporting teams working across various locations, time zones, and departments.
  6. Enhanced reliability and continuity: Modern systems help you quickly recover from challenges and ensure a consistent user experience.
  7. Enhanced security:  Outdated software and systems leave you vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to the lack of security updates. Modernization provides robust data security measures, such as leading-edge SSL encryption, minimizing threats and optimizing cybersecurity.
  8. Better scalability: Outdated systems are often difficult to scale, hindering business growth. Modernized applications allow for easy expansion to meet customer needs and drive revenue growth.
  9. Improved mobility: In the age of remote work, your mobile experience must be seamless. Modernization can improve mobile access and performance, which is increasingly important for remote work and on-the-go users. However, the impact will vary based on your business needs and the technologies adopted.
  10. Competitive advantage: Modernizing outdated applications enhances your speed, agility, market position, security, and responsiveness. If you are going to implement innovative technologies like AI, blockchain, and robotic process automation (RPA), modernization will help to prepare your product for this transformation.

By opting for application modernization, businesses can not only overcome the limitations of their outdated technologies and systems but also position themselves for future growth and innovation. While these benefits can be significant, it’s essential to recognize that they are not guaranteed. The actual outcomes will depend on your specific business goals, the current state of your applications, and the chosen modernization approach.

TOP 7 strategies for application modernization

Let’s take a brief look at some app modernization approaches and their benefits, and then talk in detail about specific strategies:

1. Application replatforming

Replatforming can help to deal with scalability limitations, elevate the level of security, and improve the system compatibility with new technologies. At the same time, legacy system migration to a new platform can be challenging and expensive.

2. Application reengineering 

Another approach is reengineering. It is a review of processes and systems to enhance the system’s efficiency and performance. This approach can be utilized to improve the functionality of the product and boost its scalability.

3. Application refactoring

Refactoring means modifying the structure of the system to improve its readability and simplify maintenance. Refactoring, or rearchitecting, involves completely redesigning your app and/or workload to optimize it for the current business needs. This strategy works for organizations with specific cloud-native capabilities or requirements for scalability and performance. Shouldn’t be confused with code refactoring which focuses on improving the internal structure of the code without altering its external behavior or functionality.

4. Application rearchitecting 

Rearchitecting involves fundamentally redesigning an application’s architecture to better align with modern technologies and business needs. This process often includes breaking down a monolithic application into smaller, more manageable microservices, improving scalability, flexibility, and maintainability. While this approach can be resource-intensive, it offers long-term benefits by future-proofing the application and making it more adaptable to evolving business requirements.

5. Application retiring 

Retiring involves retiring apps and archiving data that no longer serves a purpose. This approach is used when software or data becomes outdated or redundant, no longer meeting business needs.

6. Application retaining and revisiting 

Retaining involves keeping certain apps and data on-premises rather than migrating them to the cloud. Not every workload benefits from modernization or migration in terms of reducing technical debt or improving performance. Additionally, some services are better run on physical servers for security reasons and to maintain workflow simplicity.

7. Application rehosting

Rehosting, often referred to as the “lift and shift” strategy, involves moving data and applications directly to the cloud without any modifications. Instead of modifying the apps or data, the migration team reproduces the on-premises environment within a cloud-based infrastructure.

To summarize this part of the article, you might take a look at the table below. 

# Strategy Description
1 Rehosting Transporting an exact copy of the existing infrastructure to another hosting provider
2 Rearchitecting Redesigning an application’s architecture to better align with modern technologies and business needs
3 Replatforming Making minor changes to an application to run it on a different platform, for example, a cloud one
4 Repurchasing Replacing on-premises applications with ready-to-use equivalents
5 Retaining and revisiting  Keeping certain applications or workloads on-premises
6 Retiring Decommissioning apps or workloads that are no longer needed
7 Refactoring Modifying the structure of the system to improve its readability and simplify maintenance

How to choose your application modernization strategy

Choosing the right application modernization strategy is crucial to ensure that your systems can meet current and future business needs.

1. Evaluate the current condition of your applications:

  • Analyze your existing applications to identify technical debt, outdated technologies, and performance issues
  • Determine how your current systems affect business operations, user satisfaction, and competitive positioning
  • Pinpoint specific challenges such as maintenance difficulties, scalability issues, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility problems

2. Identify what you want to achieve with modernization, whether it’s improved performance, reduced costs, enhanced security, or increased flexibility. Rank your objectives based on their importance to your business strategy and immediate needs.

3. Calculate the expenses involved in various modernization options, including development, training, and implementation costs. Assess the potential return on investment by considering long-term benefits such as reduced maintenance costs, increased efficiency, and revenue growth.

Feel free to consult with experienced solution architects from MobiDev who can assess your current app and build the optimal modernization strategy tailored to your business needs.

 

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Mobile vs Web apps modernization: what’s the difference?

Mobile and web applications have different characteristics that influence the choice of modernization approaches. Here’s how these differences shape the modernization process for each type:

1. Platform dependency

Mobile apps are typically platform-specific, such as those designed for iOS and Android. This necessitates platform migration and cross-platform development as key components of mobile app modernization. Conversely, web apps generally operate on web browsers, making them platform-agnostic and reducing the need for platform migration.

2. User experience and interface

The modernization of mobile apps often emphasizes significant UI/UX improvements to comply with the latest platform design standards and meet user expectations. In contrast, web app modernization focuses on responsive design and accessibility to provide a uniform experience across various devices and screen sizes.

3. Backend integration

Mobile apps usually need seamless integration with specialized backend services like push notifications, location services, and device sensors to enhance their functionality. Web apps, however, can leverage standard web technologies and APIs, offering greater flexibility in backend integration.

4. Performance

Modernizing mobile apps often involves optimizing performance, reducing battery usage, and enhancing offline functionality to ensure a smooth user experience. Web app modernization tends to prioritize server-side optimizations and incorporates progressive web app (PWA) features to boost performance and support offline capabilities.

5. Testing and DevSecOps

Mobile app modernization requires extensive device and platform-specific testing, including automated UI testing. Web app modernization, on the other hand, can utilize standard web application testing methodologies, focusing on cross-browser compatibility and security.

6. Deployment and distribution

Mobile apps are distributed through app stores such as the App Store and Google Play, which involves specific submission and review processes. In contrast, web apps are typically deployed on web servers and accessed via web browsers, with an emphasis on scalability and load balancing.

7. Analytics and monitoring

Modernizing mobile apps involves using specialized mobile analytics and monitoring tools to track user behavior, app performance, and device-specific metrics. Web app modernization can leverage established web analytics and monitoring solutions to gain insights into user engagement and application performance.

Despite these differences, both mobile and web app modernization share common objectives: enhancing user experience, improving functionality, optimizing performance, and ensuring ongoing maintainability and security. The specific modernization approach will be tailored to the unique requirements and constraints of the application being modernized.

Modernization of industry-specific applications

Modernizing industry-specific applications is crucial for businesses looking to stay competitive and efficient in their respective fields. Each industry has unique requirements and challenges, and modernizing applications tailored to these specific needs can offer numerous benefits. Here are key considerations for modernizing some industry-specific applications.

Healthcare

Modernizing healthcare applications is a strategic move for healthcare providers aiming to improve patient care, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance operational efficiency. By leveraging advanced technologies and aligning them with industry-specific requirements, healthcare organizations can overcome the limitations of outdated applications and position themselves for future growth and innovation.

When it comes to healthcare applications modernization, you need to pay attention to: 

  1. Data privacy and security: Healthcare data is highly sensitive and subject to strict regulations like HIPAA. Ensuring robust data encryption, access controls, and compliance is crucial.
  2. Integration with outdated systems: Many healthcare organizations have decades-old systems that need to be integrated with new cloud-based applications. Careful planning and a phased approach is required.
  3. Regulatory compliance: Healthcare applications must adhere to evolving regulations, guidelines, and industry standards. Modernization efforts need to factor in compliance requirements.
  4. Interoperability: Seamless data exchange between different healthcare systems and applications is essential for coordinated patient care. Addressing interoperability is a significant challenge.

FinTech

The fintech industry is at the forefront of technological innovation, continually evolving to meet the demands of modern consumers and businesses. Modernizing FinTech applications is essential for maintaining competitiveness, ensuring security, and delivering exceptional user experiences.

When it comes to FinTech applications modernization, you need to pay attention to: 

  1. Regulatory compliance: Fintech applications must adhere to strict regulations such as KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and in some cases PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2). Modernization efforts must ensure continuous compliance with evolving regulations, which can be a complex and resource-intensive process.
  2. Security and fraud prevention: Fintech applications handle sensitive financial data and transactions, making them a prime target for cyber-attacks and fraud. Modernization must prioritize robust security measures, such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and real-time fraud detection.
  3. Scalability and reliability: Fintech applications need to handle large transaction volumes and user traffic, especially during peak periods. The modernized fintech app architecture must be designed for high availability, elasticity, and fault tolerance to ensure a seamless user experience.
  4. Data management and analytics: Fintech applications generate a vast amount of data that can be leveraged for business intelligence and decision-making. Modernization should include implementing data warehousing, predictive analytics, and AI-driven insights to drive informed business decisions.

Point-of-Sale (POS)

Modernizing POS systems is essential for improving customer experience, enhancing security, optimizing inventory management, and ensuring seamless integration with other business systems. A strategic approach to POS modernization ensures a smooth transition, maximizes the benefits, and positions businesses for long-term success.

When it comes to the POS applications modernization, you need to pay attention to: 

  1. Integrations with outdated systems: POS systems often still need to integrate with old back-office systems, inventory management, and accounting software. Seamless integration between old and new systems is critical to maintaining business continuity and data integrity.
  2. Payment processing compliance: Modernization efforts must ensure continued compliance with evolving payment processing requirements such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard).
  3. Hardware and software compatibility: POS hardware, such as card readers, barcode scanners, and receipt printers, need to be compatible with modernized software. Ensuring a smooth transition and minimal disruption to existing hardware can be a challenge.
  4. Omnichannel integration: Modern POS systems need to integrate with e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, and other digital sales channels. Achieving a seamless and consistent customer experience across all touchpoints can be complex.

Application modernization can be a necessary step for many organizations, allowing them to leverage new technologies and practices to stay competitive and efficient. However, the approach to modernization varies significantly across different industries due to unique requirements, regulations, and market dynamics.

Top application modernization technologies and tools

Application modernization leverages a variety of advanced technologies and tools to transform outdated software into agile, efficient, and scalable solutions. Here are some of the common technologies used:

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

APIs play a crucial role in application modernization by enabling different software components to communicate with each other. They allow old systems to integrate with modern applications and services, facilitating data exchange and enhancing functionality. By using APIs, businesses can extend the capabilities of their existing applications without overhauling the entire system.

Microservices

Microservices architecture breaks down complex applications into smaller, independent services that can be developed, deployed, and scaled individually. Application modernization with microservices enhances flexibility, improves fault isolation, and accelerates development cycles. Each microservice can be written in different programming languages and can be maintained by different teams, making it easier to manage and update the system.

Containers and Kubernetes

Containers package applications and their dependencies into a single, portable unit, ensuring consistency across different environments. Docker is a popular containerization tool that simplifies the deployment process. Kubernetes, an open-source container orchestration platform, automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. 

Together, containers and Kubernetes provide a robust infrastructure for modernizing applications, offering scalability, portability, and efficient resource utilization.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing enables businesses to move their applications and data to cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This shift offers several benefits, including on-demand resource availability, cost savings, and enhanced scalability. Cloud services provide various tools and services for modernizing applications, such as serverless computing, managed databases, and advanced analytics. 

Cloud applications may require cloud modernization services over time as business priorities shift. This could involve migrating to a different cloud provider or optimizing the application’s architecture to better align with current needs. Such changes ensure that the cloud infrastructure remains efficient, scalable, and capable of supporting evolving business goals.

AI and Machine Learning

Recently, more and more businesses are integrating AI and ML features to enhance the capabilities of their apps and get a competitive advantage. These technologies enable applications to learn from data, make intelligent decisions, and automate processes. For instance, AI-powered chatbots can improve customer service, while machine learning algorithms can optimize business operations by analyzing large datasets and providing predictive insights.

By leveraging these technologies, businesses can ensure that their modernized applications are not only efficient and scalable but also capable of meeting current and future demands. The right combination of these tools and technologies can transform outdated apps into powerful, modern solutions that drive innovation and business growth.

Exploring the key stages of the application modernization process 

In this part of the article, I will delve into the crucial stages of the application modernization process, providing insights and best practices to help organizations plan and execute their modernization efforts effectively. 

By understanding these stages, businesses can make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and maximize the benefits of their modernization initiatives. 

Key stages of the application modernization process

# Stage Description
1 Application audit Evaluate the application's scalability, security, and performance, along with its usability and maintenance costs to prioritize modernization efforts and set clear goals
2 Evaluating resources Evaluate the team’s skills to ensure they align with modern application development practices and IT support needs
3 Developing a strategy Consider various modernization approaches and create a strategy that aligns with end-user needs
4 Modernization Implement the chosen approaches and technologies to update and enhance the existing systems
5 Measuring performance improvements Monitor the performance of the infrastructure and applications to determine whether the changes have led to improvements and optimization.
6 Managing process changes Adopt a strategic approach, adherence to quality practices, and a focus on holistic development to manage process changes effectively

Let’s take a look at these stages in more detail. 

1. Application audit 

Organizations should begin by identifying critical applications that hinder achieving new business goals. Evaluating each application’s scalability, security, and performance, along with its usability and maintenance costs, is essential. It’s also important to gather input from users and stakeholders to understand specific needs, capabilities, and limitations. With these insights, leaders can prioritize modernization efforts and set clear goals for the process.

2. Evaluating resources

Application modernization involves both technical and organizational changes, requiring a strategic approach to manage both aspects effectively. It’s important to evaluate the team’s skills to ensure they align with modern application development practices and IT support needs. Understanding the application’s connections to other systems and its maintenance procedures is vital for a successful transformation.

3. Developing a strategy

Organizations need to consider various modernization approaches, from adding new features to existing architectures to aligning with end-user needs. The strategy focuses on aligning these choices with the organization’s specific needs, ensuring that the modernization process not only addresses current challenges but also positions the business for future growth and adaptability. By carefully evaluating the existing systems and understanding the desired outcomes, businesses can implement a modernization plan that enhances performance, scalability, and security while minimizing risks and costs.

4. Modernization 

The modernization stage is where the actual transformation of the outdated applications takes place. This involves implementing the chosen approaches and technologies to update and enhance the existing systems. During this stage, outdated components may be replaced, new features may be added, and the architecture may be restructured to better align with modern standards and practices. Careful attention is given to minimizing disruption to ongoing operations while making sure that the modernization process is thorough and effective. This stage is critical for laying the foundation for a more resilient, efficient, and adaptable system that can support the business’s evolving needs.

5. Measuring performance improvements

Once the initial modernization is complete, it’s crucial to monitor the performance of the infrastructure and applications. This involves examining the cloud environment, database, network, and code for issues that may affect end-user performance and business continuity. Evaluating application performance post-modernization helps determine whether the changes have led to improvements and optimization.

If after evaluating resources, the business realizes that in-house expertise is insufficient to carry out the modernization, it’s crucial to seek out a team with the necessary skills and experience to help execute the transformation. This external support can be key to a successful modernization, ensuring that the process is completed efficiently and to a high standard. 

6. Managing process changes

Despite careful planning, organizations often face challenges such as cost overruns, project delays, and failures during modernization. Successful application modernization requires a strategic approach, adherence to quality practices, and a focus on holistic development. Working with a team that understands the broader context of modernization can help mitigate these challenges and ensure a successful transition.

App modernization challenges and ways to overcome them

As previously mentioned, application modernization is a complex but necessary process for businesses aiming to stay competitive and efficient. Here, we explore the common obstacles and best practices to navigate them effectively.

1. Application complexity

Challenge: Outdated systems often have complex architectures, outdated technologies, and intertwined dependencies, making the modernization process difficult.

Solution: Conduct a thorough software audit to understand the existing architecture and dependencies. Develop a detailed migration plan that addresses each component systematically.

2. Data migration issues

Challenge: Migrating data from old systems to modern platforms can be error-prone and time-consuming, risking data loss or corruption.

Solution: Implement robust data migration strategies, including data validation, cleansing, and mapping. Use automated tools to streamline the process and ensure data integrity.

3. Downtime and business disruption

Challenge: Modernization efforts can lead to system downtimes, affecting business operations and customer satisfaction.

Solution: Adopt a phased approach to modernization, allowing for gradual transitions with minimal disruption. Use blue-green deployment and canary releases to test changes in a controlled environment before full-scale implementation. Blue-green deployment is a release strategy where two identical environments (blue and green) are used. The new version is deployed to green, tested, and then traffic is switched, minimizing downtime and risk. Canary releases are a deployment strategy where a new version of software is gradually rolled out to a small subset of users, allowing for real-world testing before full deployment, minimizing risk and impact.

4. Security concerns

Challenge: Integrating modern technologies can introduce new security vulnerabilities if not managed properly.

Solution: Incorporate security best practices from the start. Conduct regular security assessments and use modern security frameworks and tools to protect data and applications.

5. Skill gaps

Challenge: Existing IT teams may lack the necessary skills to manage and implement modern technologies.

Solution: Invest in training and development programs to upskill your workforce. Consider hiring new talent with the required expertise or augmenting your team with external experts.

Application Modernization Best Practices

Modernizing applications is a complex process that requires a strategic approach to ensure success. Here are some best practices to guide your application modernization efforts:

1. Deeply analyzing the system to estimate tech debt

Conducting a technical system audit is crucial for modernization, as it helps identify necessary changes and potential risks. A tech audit uncovers tech debt in the code and architecture and assesses product risks. It also determines which parts of the product can be migrated to a new platform and which need rework. Consequently, you will receive recommendations for code and architecture improvements, along with a clearer project budget and timeline.

A technical audit can be challenging, especially with outdated documentation or large monolithic apps that are difficult to understand. To overcome these challenges, collaborate with experienced software engineers and consultants.

2. Align your business goals with potential tech solutions

Approaching application modernization strategically, with business requirements and desired outcomes in mind, is a best practice. This approach will help you avoid unnecessary work and determine whether you need modernization or new features. As a result, you’ll have a clear, consistent roadmap outlining the modernization plan and future system development.

3. Ensure sufficient testing and focus on user experience

Implement comprehensive testing strategies, including unit, integration, and performance testing, to ensure the reliability of modernized applications.

Use automated testing tools to streamline the testing process and identify issues early. Prioritize improvements to the user interface and experience, ensuring the modernized application meets current user expectations and standards. Conduct user testing and gather feedback to continuously refine the application.

4. Monitor and optimize performance

Use monitoring and analytics tools to track application performance and user behavior. Continuously optimize the application based on performance metrics and user feedback to ensure it meets evolving business needs.

By understanding and addressing these challenges with strategic best practices, organizations can successfully navigate the complexities of application modernization, achieving maximized business value.

Application Modernization Checklist to Download

To successfully modernize your application and align it with your business objectives, careful planning and strategic action are crucial, however, it can be easy to overlook key areas. For a smooth and effective process, having a comprehensive plan is vital. Our free App Modernization Checklist will guide you through every stage, ensuring nothing is missed.

This checklist covers all aspects of the modernization journey, from identifying legacy system issues to implementing new technologies. Whether you’re just beginning or are deep into the process, this resource will help streamline your efforts.

Take the guesswork out of modernization

get the checklist today

Examples of application modernization in MobiDev experience 

Here are some examples from MobiDev practice that illustrate how we helped our clients succeed by assisting them in modernizing their applications. After reviewing them, you will understand what business outcome can come from modernization and why it is important to do it on time.

Success story #1. ERP & POS system modernization: meeting growing customer needs with cloud technology

In 2013, a US-based company called Comcash, approached us with a task to transform their on-premise POS solution for US retail stores into a sophisticated cloud-based ERP system with advanced sales prediction capabilities. Comcash had plans to create more innovative solutions for its clients to meet growing market demands.

Our team managed the entire development cycle of the Comcash system, including the app design. The product was deployed in mid-2014 for its first retail chain. Later, we implemented an adaptive selective model that forecasts demand for the upcoming weeks, based on the users’ retail sales data.

Over the years, Comcash has experienced a full modernization, transitioning into a cloud-based solution and enhancing its functionality with data science capabilities. The increasing popularity of Comcash led to its acquisition by POS Nation in October 2022. Today, Comcash boasts a presence in over 3,000 locations and continues to cooperate with MobiDev on constant product improvement.

We could never create what we have with MobiDev in my office in California. The tech market is just too competitive these days. If you are interested in developing a world-class product and working with a great group of friendly co-workers every day, I wholeheartedly recommend MobiDev.

Richard Stack

CEO of Comcash Inc.

Success story #2. Fintech web portal: upgrading tech stack to keep the product operational

Another example of application modernization is the upgrade of the web portal for the Wholesale Floor Covering Credit Association of Canada (WFCCA). The company that had originally developed the portal shifted its focus away from the Ruby on Rails technology stack, leaving the WFCCA in need of a new development team to take on the upgrade to a newer version and fix the complex bugs impacting the user experience.

Before starting the system upgrade, the MobiDev team conducted a comprehensive software audit. This assessment evaluated the current status of the system, identified issues and their severity, and offered practical suggestions to prioritize the necessary next steps. After performing the code review and confirming the required timeline and scope for code refactoring efforts, the dedicated MobiDev team managed to complete the system upgrade from Ruby 2.5.8, Ruby on Rails 5.2.4.2, and the Heroku 18 Stack, as well as resolve the existing bugs in less than three months.

The successful upgrading efforts allowed the WFCCA to ensure the stability and smooth functionality of their portal, keeping their users satisfied with the improved application performance.

When we reached out to MobiDev they were very patient with us as we do not have a technical team and they took the time to walk us through the process and explain what was going to happen. That was very reassuring. Their communication throughout the entire process was excellent. We were provided regular updates so at no time did we feel that we did not know what was going on. They were extremely professional and an absolute pleasure to deal with. Thank you again for an excellent job.

Lindsay Clarkson

WFCCA Representative

Success story #3. EdTech app modernization: redesigning the architecture to enable scalability

A US-based SaaS education and mentoring platform faced performance issues and sought our assistance to address the problem. Additionally, the client had plans to scale the platform and introduce new features. During our initial investigation, the team discovered that the current architecture made it challenging to achieve these goals. The application suffered from poor source code organization, quality issues, and multiple bugs and errors that hindered the addition of new features.

The solution was to completely rewrite the product’s architecture from the ground up to meet the new business requirements and optimize the development efforts. We also implemented a continuous integration system. This approach boosted productivity and improved the platform’s overall performance.

As a result, the client received an efficient application that enabled them to scale to new markets and continue enhancing the product to maintain its competitiveness.

We’ve always appreciated MobiDev for all the invaluable consulting, for the communication and reporting set up conveniently for us. They never feel like a remote team. They are immediately available for our requests. They are a reliable team that can build complex software from scratch, deliver it strictly on time and later on effectively evolve it. Our own ongoing collaboration with MobiDev fully confirms their professional reputation on the market.

Mukund Kumar

Mukund Kumar

Company Founder/CEO

How to choose your application modernization company

Choosing the right company for your application modernization project is a critical decision that can significantly impact your business’s future. When evaluating potential partners, consider the next factors:

  • Experience and expertise. Look for a company with a long history in the industry, as they are likely to have encountered and solved a variety of challenges. This depth of experience can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of modernizing your outdated applications.
  • Technical proficiency of the company. They should have a wide range of tech expertise, including knowledge of the latest tools and technologies. It’s essential that they can either meet your specific technical requirements or suggest the best tech stack to ensure optimal performance and scalability. Their ability to work with key cloud services like Google Cloud, Azure, and AWS is also crucial, as cloud-based solutions often form a core part of modernization strategies.
  • Experience with compliance standards, especially if your project involves adhering to regulations like GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, GLBA, or PCI DSS. A company that understands these requirements can help ensure your modernized application meets all the necessary legal and industry standards.
  • Company’s track record includes long-term client relationships. A firm that has sustained partnerships over several years is likely to provide ongoing support and value. This longevity indicates reliability and a commitment to helping clients achieve continuous growth and improvement.
  • Problem-solving approach and innovation. They should be able to tailor solutions to your business needs, ensuring the modernization process not only updates your systems but also aligns with your strategic goals. A company that emphasizes understanding your unique challenges and delivers customized solutions is more likely to help you achieve a successful transformation.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a modernization company that will help you unlock the full potential of your application and drive your business forward.

Modernize your application with MobiDev

If you’re considering modernizing your application, MobiDev can be a great choice to help you move through the process. Since 2009, we have been building, scaling, and modernizing software products, making us a trusted name in the industry. Our wide tech expertise allows us to focus on your needs, whether that means meeting your specific technical requirements or suggesting the best tech stack to ensure optimal performance and scalability.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBIDEV’S EXPERTISE

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APP MODERNIZATION SERVICES

At MobiDev, we are proficient in working with key cloud services like Google Cloud, Azure, and AWS, ensuring that your applications leverage the latest in cloud technology. If your project involves specific compliance standards, our team can help you meet these regulations from a technical perspective, with experience in GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, GLBA, PCI DSS, and more.

Our long-term projects with clients, averaging five years, enable us to provide continuous business value and support your ongoing growth.  Let our experienced team guide you through the transformation process and ensure your success in the competitive market.

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