Legacy Modernization

Purpose-driven and iterative remediation over endless band-aid solutions.

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What is legacy modernization and why embark on this journey?

The relevance of legacy systems stems from their long history and the fact that they support critical business functions. These systems store important data, automate processes, and support daily operations. Companies have made significant investments in the development and maintenance of these systems, and they are often indispensable for business operations.

Moreover, modernizing or migrating legacy systems can be time-consuming and costly. Enterprises face the challenge of balancing the maintenance of smooth operations with the need to adapt to modern technologies and business requirements.

Legacy systems are often the crown jewels of an enterprise. They encapsulate the essence of the business domain and have successfully supported day-to-day operations for many years.
Phillip Ghadir CEO

Benefits of legacy software modernization

Legacy modernization is like a renovation: Instead of continuing to invest in a dilapidated house, you create a solid foundation for the future. With the right measures, you transform your IT from a cost trap into a competitive advantage. We show you how to proceed step by step and the benefits you can expect.

Reduction of maintenance costs and complexity

Legacy systems often cause high maintenance costs and are complex to handle due to outdated architecture and code. Modernization can lead to a reduction in complexity and associated costs.

Strengthening competitiveness

Companies that invest in modernizing their IT landscape position themselves advantageously in the competition, as they can respond faster to market changes and offer innovative products and services.

Increasing operational efficiency

Legacy systems often lead to operational inefficiencies due to their outdated technologies and architectures. In addition, they usually map organizational processes that have been adapted over time. Through modernization, not only can the software be adapted to the processes, but often the processes themselves can be optimized.

Fostering innovation

Old systems can hinder the introduction of new, innovative solutions. Through modernization, companies can create agile and flexible IT environments that foster innovation and open up new business opportunities.

Improving the user experience

Modernized systems enable improved interaction with users through faster, more user-friendly, and feature-rich applications.

Increasing security

Outdated systems are more vulnerable to security gaps and attacks. As part of modernization, the susceptibility to security gaps and attacks is reduced either in a targeted manner or simply through the use of current technology.

The Path to legacy modernization

Legacy systems are often complex and have grown over years. The path to successful modernization can be rocky. We have developed a proven methodology with which we accompany you iteratively - from analysis to implementation. We start where you stand.

Software analysis

We create clarity through an analysis. Now we take a close look at your software. The thorough overview at the beginning gives us insights into where you stand with your software and where your acute problems come from. This review will also help us later to determine the right strategies and priorities for remediation.

We're there when there's a crisis

Should your software acutely find itself in a crisis, we provide first aid without any major detours. No matter whether it's a performance or availability problem, our experts take care of solving threatening problems directly before we do anything else.

Modernization strategy

We design your modernization strategy! After we have captured the current situation, we discuss where you want to go. No matter if you want to part with technologies like mainframe, fat client or a programming language like Delphi. Now is the time to plan the path to modernization.

Technical remediation

We get hands-on and improve your legacy system using proven methods. In technical remediation, the system largely remains in place, but its quality is iteratively improved. Often, qualities such as stability, operational performance, or the optimization of a slow release process are at the center of improvement.

When nothing else works: rebuilding your software

Sometimes there is no way around a rebuild. Here, too, we use proven methods to precisely analyze the requirements for your software for today and tomorrow. We develop your new software according to modern standards and best practices. If desired, we train your team so that they can quickly integrate the new technologies and procedures into their daily routine. In many cases, we phase out your existing software gradually so that you can see results in the production environment quickly and without major risks.

Agentic Software Modernization

Software modernization is complex and time-consuming. Legacy systems – whether COBOL, mainframes, or organically grown Java monoliths – are often poorly documented. On top of that, the number of people who truly understand these systems is shrinking. Agentic AI changes what is possible: it can work through millions of lines of legacy code, detect dependencies, and extract domain knowledge.

The Agentic Modernization Workbench

That is exactly why we developed the Agentic Modernization Workbench: a curated set of Agent Skills, tools, and modernization expertise shaped by senior consultants. It assesses the starting point, designs a plan, and gives your teams the guardrails they need for a successful modernization initiative.

The workbench supports you through four phases:

Discovery: the analysis phase
Decide: what should the new solution look like?
Transform: the implementation phase
Validate: have we met all requirements?

The workbench primarily accelerates the analysis and decision phases while making transformation activities transparent and measurable. It is not a magic wand. Critical decisions remain in human hands.

From a technical perspective, the workbench relies on a transparent skill architecture rather than a black box. The solution is modular and model-agnostic – there is no vendor lock-in.

Our goal is to enable your teams. They understand the workbench, adapt it, and use it independently.

Who is the workbench for?

Mid-size companies and enterprises with modernization initiatives – whether AS/400, mainframe, or monolithic Java systems.

What does the workbench include?

Licensing and setup, including a kick-off workshop and workbench integration; guidance from senior consultants on modernization and enablement; and maintenance packages for the ongoing evolution of skills and integrations.

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How we have supported our customers

With years of experience and profound expertise, we transform legacy systems into modern IT solutions and future-proof existing infrastructures. Many of our customers are already convinced of this.

B2B, E-commerce

Creating a “Best in Industry” E-Commerce Platform with Self-Contained Systems

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E-commerce

Fleurop: A modern architecture for reliable floral greetings

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Education & Training

Building a learning platform that enables continuous pedagogical evolution

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Insurance

DEVK: Standardizing Security and Compliance Across a Complex Software Landscape

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What our customers say about us

INNOQ supports us as a partner not only in the technical implementation but also in the strategic digitalization of our business model.

Lukas UntereggerHead of Engineering, SACAC

The INNOQ architecture assessment helped us building the foundation of our future macro architecture.
Stefan MaaßenSoftware Architect, Verband der Vereine Creditreform e.V.

One of the best, if not the best software consulting partnerships I personally ever had the privilege to experience. Thanks for the outstanding work.

Rudolf Bou-VinalsTeamlead Digital Business Platform, Phoenix Contact

Get started immediately

Our workshops and assessments pave the way for your successful legacy modernization. In compact formats, we work with you and your team to develop the goals, requirements and framework conditions for your project. We ensure that all stakeholders are on board from the beginning and empowered to actively shape the modernization. With our workshops, you get a concrete roadmap and can confidently tackle the next steps.

Legacy system assessment

With our assessment, you get a comprehensive overview of the state of your software in just 4 to 5 days. We identify typical problems in grown systems and point out concrete areas for action. Our detailed analyses of architecture, code and development process make previously invisible construction sites visible. This way, you can clearly and understandably explain to management why investments in modernization are necessary. You learn where your software stands in comparison to modern architectures and development practices. Following the assessment, we work with you to develop a customized roadmap for modernization. Whether test automation, containerization, data mesh or organizational changes - we recommend solutions tailored to your individual goals and framework conditions.

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Quality storming

Do you know if your software system is on track? Our one-day Quality Storming workshop helps you clearly define the goals of your system. Together we develop a framework for design, implementation and evaluation that everyone understands. You receive formulated quality goals as a basis for the architecture. We clarify quality drivers, concretize goals, resolve conflicts and create a quality roadmap. This way you find the right measure of quality for your project. Book your workshop now and start with a common understanding in the right direction!

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Self-contained Systems - The right architectural approach for your modernization effort?

Are you facing a software modernization and wondering if Self-contained Systems (SCS) is the right approach? Our one-day workshop gives you the answer. Benefit from the practical experience of our experts who have implemented numerous systems with it. We show you the advantages and disadvantages of this architectural style in practice. Far from hype, we support you in making a well-founded decision. Together we analyze your specific requirements and determine whether SCS or an alternative architectural approach is the best solution for you.

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Event storming

You are planning the modernization of your legacy systems and don't know where to start? Our Event Storming workshop creates clarity and sets your project on a solid foundation. Together we analyze your domain, identify bounded contexts and uncover potential for improvement. You learn how you can find a common language and iteratively disentangle your systems through effective collaboration between domain experts and the development team. After just one day, you have a concrete roadmap for your modernization and can tackle the next steps in a targeted manner.

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Securing Legacy Software

In this workshop, participants will engage in hands-on exercises with a large Java-based application to practice a systematic approach to addressing security issues in legacy software.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions about legacy modernization? Here you will find answers to questions we are frequently asked.

What do we mean by legacy modernization?

Legacy modernization refers to the process of updating and improving aging software systems. This is necessary to ensure the adaptability of running software to operational, regulatory and market challenges.

Why is modernizing legacy systems important?

By modernizing legacy systems, companies can increase their efficiency, minimize security risks and support future growth with the help of a flexible IT architecture.

How do you determine which legacy systems should be modernized?

The decision is based on a thorough assessment of the current IT landscape, prioritizing systems with high maintenance costs, security risks, or that impede business innovation.

What solution approaches are there for legacy modernization?

When modernizing a legacy system, rehosting, refactoring, rearchitecting, rebuilding and replacing are only some of the solution ideas. We make the decision dependent on business goals, budgets, regulatory requirements and technical challenges.

How does legacy modernization impact IT security?

Modern systems integrate current security standards and technologies that reduce the risk of data leaks and attacks while improving compliance.

How long does a legacy modernization typically take and can it be implemented without interrupting operations?

The duration of a legacy modernization varies depending on the scope and complexity of the project, typically ranging from a few months to several years. Iterative approaches often allow modernization "on the fly" without crippling day-to-day business. Key factors for duration include the size of the existing system, the chosen modernization strategy, and the potential need to introduce new technologies.

Dive Deeper

The essential report for IT decision-makers

Legacy Modernization

Legacy software exists in almost every company. Often, it's critical for key processes and crucial to the success of the business. However, there comes a time for every piece of software when it must be modernized, lest it fail to meet current demands. In this report, we outline the key aspects of legacy modernization - from the initial assessment of existing systems to the implementation of modern technologies.

Podcast

Legacy-Modernisierung: Shop-Monolithen knacken

Zu Gast: Peter Whitmore, Director Engineering Digital Business Platform, Phoenix Contact

Podcast

Legacy-Modernisierung: Transformationsstrategien in der Immobilienbewertung

Zu Gast: Andreas Kadler, Geschäftsführer von Sprengnetter Real Estate Services

Article

The art of software reviews

Auch in erfolgreichen Softwaresystemen lauern praktisch immer Probleme. Durch systematische Reviews können Sie diese Probleme zielgerichtet identifizieren – und damit eine robuste Grundlage für zukünftige Verbesserungen schaffen. Der Artikel stellt die Breitensuche als den zentralen Ansatz methodischer Software-Reviews vor und beleuchtet einige der wesentlichen Untersuchungsansätze.

Article

Microservices-Migration

Wenn ein Deployment-Monolith mit den Ansprüchen nicht mehr Schritt halten kann, sind Microservices oft die Lösung. Dann muss das vorhandene System in ein Microservices-System migriert werden. Diese Herausforderung kann sehr unterschiedlich angegangen werden.

Blog Post

What’s in a name: Legacy

The term “legacy” has a negative connotation in IT, and stands for an old, somehow bad piece of software. In real-life, legacy has a completely different and often positive meaning.

Blog Post

Langweilige Innovation?

Hat Innovation immer etwas mit den neuesten Technologien zu tun oder kann sie auch scheinbar langweilig sein? Ein Fall aus dem realen Beraterleben.

Article

Generierung von Regressionstests für Legacy-Code

In diesem Artikel geht es um die Möglichkeit, bei Legacy-Anwendungen Regressionstests anhand des Quellcodes zu generieren, um vor einem möglichen Refactoring Tests erzeugt zu haben. Diese sollen sicherstellen, dass die Anwendung nach dem Refactoring noch genauso funktioniert wie vorher. Hier gibt es einige interessante Ansätze und auch einige Tools, die diese implementieren. Der Artikel zeigt zwei mögliche Ansätze.

Blog Post

Evolving software like an orchardist

Software systems are usually larger, overgrown structures that developers need to bring back into shape after some time. However, creating an overview of the sprawling conglomerate of software components is challenging, let alone developing a clear plan for moving on. This blog post uses analogies from pruning apple trees to show developers how to evolve their software systems using a value-based approach.

Article

Evolution statt Verschlimmbesserung

Erweitern, ändern und korrigieren bestehender Software - meistens unter Zeitdruck – führt in vielen Fällen zu schleichendem Verfall. Dadurch werden Änderungen einerseits immer schwieriger, andererseits auch immer teurer und riskanter. Das Open-Source Projekt aim42 (architecture improvement method) setzt genau dort an – mit Praktiken und Patterns für systematische Verbesserung – technologieneutral und leichtgewichtig.