Plan A Technologies is a software development company with hundreds of staff members across dozens of countries, dealing with organizations ranging from startups to the Fortune 500, in sectors from FinTech to Gaming, from AI to Healthcare. Regardless of the location or the industry, too often we see legacy tech that should be long retired.
The Risks of Tech
Let’s be clear: Nothing lasts forever, particularly technology.
Addressing this situation can seem overwhelming… but it doesn’t have to be. Indeed, it can be a chance to ensure your organization puts itself on a much better footing to handle your current and even future needs.
To begin, it’s surprisingly easy to wind up in a legacy tech crisis. After all, there are so many matters to address each day and your software seems to be working just fine.
So it’s put out of mind.
Until the day comes it refuses to be ignored. Something catastrophic occurs: A security breach, data lost, a crash that takes you down completely. Then you’re forced to spring into action, but you don’t even know where to start.
How to Overcome a Tech Crisis
Here are a few important tips to avoid disaster and to help your company get ahead in the process:
-Make Sure Your Legacy Tech’s Lifespan Is Known. Otherwise, it might just reach the end at the worst possible moment.
-Get Regular Tech Audits. You don’t visit a doctor once and as you leave the office announce, “From here on out, I’m healthy!” Same goes for your tech infrastructure.
-Think in Phases. An overhaul can appear overwhelming. Make it a manageable challenge. A staged approach allows for smaller steps that enable steady progress at a sustainable pace.
-Don’t Ignore the Data. Particularly in a crisis, it can be hard to figure out where to begin. So let the data tell you! It can help you find the areas that need to be addressed first, where modernization is most urgent. There may even be unexpected good news, as you discover underutilized resources.
-Track Trends and Innovations. Does your organization do things because that’s the way they’ve always been done? Then you’re missing out on chances to improve security, efficiency, scalability, cost reduction, and more. Addressing your legacy tech can also be your opportunity to build a brighter future.
-Embrace End Users. Feedback from end users can ensure you create what you actually need to create. Plus it helps flag any problems that occur during the process.
Again, we understand that with all the challenges you face each day running a business, you may be reluctant to say, “But what about our legacy tech?” (You have enough happening!)
Remember: The easiest way to address a problem is to stop it from becoming a problem in the first place. And if you can take advantage of tech advances while you update, why wouldn’t you?
Slav Kulik is the CEO and co-founder of Plan A Technologies.
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