Do you still use that old app that’s built on outdated technology? Does it play a critical role in business operations, even though it may be hard to maintain, integrate with modern tools or even work with?
No worries. Many companies stick with legacy systems, because they’re stable, deeply embedded in operations, and may seem expensive or risky to replace.
Even government agencies often use legacy systems built decades ago for tasks like tax processing, public records, or social services. Many still run on COBOL-based mainframes or outdated databases that are costly to upgrade.
But even though many government institutions (including in Romania, where Unicore is founded) still operate on legacy systems, often fragmented and isolated, the trend is to migrate to modern architectures: government cloud (private / hybrid), IaaS / PaaS / SaaS services, cloud-ready or cloud native reworked applications, microservices, interoperability APIs, and modern security and resilience infrastructures.
Also, businesses no longer want to rely on outdated systems: according to the EY study “Investments in Emerging Technologies in Romania”, 41.6% of companies have already fully integrated cloud solutions into their processes.
This shows that modern businesses require scalable, resilient, interoperable solutions — to be able to quickly respond to new requirements, connect systems to each other and support growth without technological bottlenecks.
So, how can businesses modernize legacy software systems?
Businesses can modernize by rehosting (moving to the cloud), refactoring code, integrating APIs, or fully rebuilding systems. The right approach depends on budget, risk tolerance, and long-term goals.
Modernizing legacy systems starts with understanding that not every organization needs to rebuild everything from scratch. There are several practical approaches, each with different implications for cost, complexity, and impact.
Rehosting
Often called “lift and shift” — means moving your existing application to a cloud environment without significant code changes. It’s the fastest way to gain scalability, resilience, and lower infrastructure costs, while maintaining familiar functionality.
Refactoring
This goes a step further. It involves restructuring parts of the application to improve performance, make integrations easier, or enable cloud-native capabilities. Refactoring is ideal when systems are valuable but need optimization to stay competitive.
Rebuilding
Rebuilding involves designing and developing the system from the ground up, using modern frameworks and architectures. While this option requires the most effort, it delivers the highest return in terms of flexibility, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
Choosing the right path
Depending on several factors — such as business priorities, data sensitivity, technical debt, and available resources — a proper evaluation should be conducted. This phase should always include both a technical audit and a SWOT analysis comparing the existing environment with a potential cloud setup.
Modernization doesn’t have to happen all at once. Many organizations start small — by migrating one system or module to the cloud, then scaling gradually. Each step delivers measurable value and reduces long-term operational costs.
In fact, when done strategically, modernization often pays for itself through lower infrastructure expenses, improved uptime, and reduced dependency on outdated software licenses or maintenance contracts.
Comparing legacy vs. cloud:
- Strengths (Legacy): stability, predictability, and deep integration in day-to-day workflows.
- Weaknesses: limited scalability, higher maintenance costs, outdated security protocols, and dependence on old infrastructure or staff who understand it.
- Opportunities (Cloud): scalability on demand, real-time data access, automation, integration with AI, and improved collaboration across systems.
- Threats: poor migration planning, inadequate security configuration, or lack of training post-migration.
A successful modernization strategy begins with assessment and planning — identifying which systems are mission-critical, which can be replaced, and which can be optimized. This stage often includes architecture design, compatibility testing, and prioritization of dependencies.
During this phase, UNICORE’s Product Development and Technology Development expertise plays a key role: we redesign outdated applications, create secure APIs for integration, and prepare cloud-ready environments that minimize disruption during migration.
The next step is execution — the actual migration process.
This is where theory meets reality. Migrating data and applications to the cloud requires precision: maintaining uptime, securing sensitive information, and validating every module in the new environment.
Some challenges are predictable: performance mismatches, data synchronization errors, or dependency conflicts between old and new modules. Others are only revealed during testing. This is why having an experienced team that understands both infrastructure and software architecture is crucial — not just for technical execution, but for business continuity.
After migration, the work doesn’t end. Modern systems require continuous monitoring, optimization, and maintenance. Cloud environments evolve constantly, and applications must adapt to new versions, dependencies, and security standards.
UNICORE provides both corrective and preventive maintenance — fixing issues when they arise, but also anticipating and preventing failures through regular audits, security updates, and performance tuning. This ensures systems remain stable, compliant, and future-proof long after deployment.
Modernization is not only about technology. It’s also about resilience, adaptability, and long-term value. Organizations that invest in updating their digital foundations gain agility, improved collaboration, and the ability to integrate new technologies — AI, automation, analytics — without rebuilding everything again.
UNICORE’s modernization projects are built to be scalable — aligning with each client’s budget and priorities. Some start with a simple API integration or partial refactor; others move their entire infrastructure in stages. The goal is progress, not disruption.
Legacy systems may have built the company. But modern systems help it grow. And the transition between the two doesn’t have to be disruptive, only well-planned.
Learn more about how UNICORE modernizes enterprise software systems, or reach out to our team directly.
