The temperature is slowly rising, the first flowers are blooming and the birds are returning – spring is here. It is also the perfect time for companies to give their IT infrastructure a thorough spring clean and to dust off their cumbersome legacy software. The IT service provider Avision shows which steps lead to sustainable success.
Legacy software is an ever-present issue in larger IT infrastructures, often even forming the technological backbone. Even if the code fulfils its tasks in most cases, legacy systems are difficult to maintain, expensive to operate and a major obstacle to the integration of new technologies. So why not use the arrival of spring to properly clean up outdated, confusing and inefficient code? As IT service provider Avision knows, there are a number of important steps involved in analysing and modernising the system without compromising its stability:
Take stock
What is the state of the code? Which components are still in use – and which have not been in use for years? Which sections have not been revised for a long time and which ones cause difficulties again and again? Companies should clarify this question as a first step. The overarching goal here must be to identify outdated and inefficient code, prioritise individual areas for modernisation and remove the unnecessary. Practical tools such as Klocwork, Structure101 or SonarQube are available for code analysis, evaluating structure, quality and dependencies. Automated tests can ensure that removing sections of code has no negative impact on functionality.
Optimise code
After streamlining the code base, companies should continuously modernise their legacy systems without changing the functionality. A refactoring approach is particularly suitable for this, in which developers take small, incremental steps to resolve dependencies, simplify complex methods or replace inefficient algorithms, for example. Automated tests can also help here to ensure that changes to the code do not result in impaired performance or functionality.
Modularise code
Most legacy systems are monolithic in structure, meaning that they have all the functions integrated into one code block. This not only makes maintenance more difficult, but also scalability and flexibility. Modular systems such as microservices, which rely on smaller, independent units, can help. This way, companies can more easily maintain their code while simultaneously increasing the scalability and flexibility of their software.
Implement CI/CD
Automating tests and deployments ensures that systems continue to run smoothly, even during a thorough spring clean. By using continuous integration (CI) and continuous deployment (CD), companies can quickly and securely integrate changes into the production environment without jeopardising stability – for example, with unit, integration and end-to-end tests.
Update technologies
Outdated tools and cumbersome programming languages block important digital progress. To simplify system maintenance and further development, companies should therefore identify outdated technologies and plan appropriate upgrades in a targeted manner. This includes, for example, migrating to a new framework, introducing container solutions or using cloud services.
Monitor systems
A software spring clean can only be the starting point for continuous improvement. For companies, this means regularly monitoring technical debt and constantly developing systems. Monitoring and alert systems, as well as tools for controlling code quality, can help with this.
‘A thorough digital spring clean can be time-consuming and challenging, but its long-term benefits far outweigh the effort,’ explains Nadine Riederer, CEO of Avision. ’It paves the way for less complexity, lower maintenance and operating costs, and greater flexibility for future requirements.’
This press release is also available at www.pr-com.de/de/avision.
Press contact
Avision GmbH
Christina Karl
Marketing
Bajuwarenring 14
D-82041 Oberhaching
Phone +49-89-623037-967
christina.karl@avision-it.de
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