Updated on: 4/29/2025
Key Takeaways
- Core Challenge: Legacy applications often become business bottlenecks, causing inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Application replatforming offers a way to modernize existing systems while minimizing code changes, helping organizations improve performance without complete system overhauls.
- Strategic Approach: Replatforming differs from simple rehosting or extensive refactoring by focusing on platform migration with minimal adjustments. This process requires careful planning, from initial assessment through execution, addressing key factors like data migration, system dependencies, and organizational change management. Success depends on clear objectives, thorough testing, and ongoing support.
- Implementation Benefits: The benefits of replatforming extend beyond immediate performance improvements to include enhanced security, better scalability, and reduced maintenance costs. While the process presents challenges like organizational resistance and data security concerns, following best practices and maintaining clear communication throughout the project helps ensure successful transitions that support long-term business growth.
Legacy applications can hold your business back, leading to inefficiencies, increased costs, and missed opportunities. If you’ve noticed that your current software solutions no longer meet your needs, it might be time for application replatforming.
This guide will walk you through the process, helping you understand what replatforming is, why it’s important, and how to successfully accomplish the transition.
1. What Is Application Replatforming?
Application replatforming involves moving an existing application from one platform to another while making minimal changes to the application’s code. The goal is to improve performance, scalability, and maintainability without completely overhauling the system.
Replatforming vs. Rehosting vs. Refactoring
It’s important to distinguish between replatforming, rehosting, and refactoring. While replatforming involves moving to a new platform with minor adjustments, rehosting (often called “lift and shift”) is simply migrating the application as-is, with no code changes.
Refactoring, however, involves significant code modifications to improve the application’s architecture and functionality.
2. Why Perform Application Replatforming?
Replatforming offers numerous benefits, including improved performance, cost efficiency, enhanced security, and scalability. By moving to a more modern platform, you can future-proof your application, making it easier to maintain and scale as your business grows.
Common Reasons For Replatforming
There are several common triggers that prompt businesses to consider replatforming:
- Current platform doesn’t serve my purpose anymore: If your platform no longer meets your needs, it may be time to explore other options.
- Not efficient enough to perform the current work: Inefficiencies can lead to wasted time and money. Replatforming can streamline operations.
- Holding the company back from growth and future vision: An outdated platform can limit your ability to innovate and expand. Replatforming can help you align your technology with your business goals.
3. Common Replatforming Projects
Replatforming can apply to a variety of scenarios, from moving away from outdated tools to upgrading legacy systems. Some typical projects include:
- Moving away from Excel: Transitioning from spreadsheets to a more robust software solution.
- Moving away from Access: Replacing Microsoft Access with a modern database management system.
- Moving away from other old database systems: Upgrading from outdated database systems to more scalable and efficient options.
- Legacy Frameworks: Replatforming applications running on outdated frameworks such as AS400, ColdFusion, or ASP.
End of Support / End of Life
If your technology is nearing or has reached its end of support or end of life, replatforming becomes even more critical.
Without ongoing support, your application could become vulnerable to security risks and compatibility issues.
4. How Does Replatforming Work?
Replatforming must begin with a thorough discovery phase. Here’s how it typically unfolds:
- Identify the purpose of the platform: Understand why the platform exists and how it supports your business objectives.
- Evaluate platform alignment with business goals: Determine if your current platform aligns with your business goals. If not, consider off-the-shelf (OTS) solutions or custom development. (For more on OTS vs. custom, refer to our other guide.)
- Planning: A detailed strategy is necessary for a successful replatforming project. Ensure that you have a clear roadmap before execution begins.
Technical Step-by-Step Overview
On the technical side, replatforming involves several key steps:
- Data Migration Strategies: Develop a plan for migrating data from the old platform to the new one, ensuring data integrity and consistency.
- Application Dependencies and Integration: Identify and address any dependencies and integrations that could impact the replatforming process.
5. How Much Does Application Replatforming Cost?
The cost of replatforming can vary widely depending on the complexity of the project, the size of the application, and the level of customization required. Factors to consider include licensing fees, development costs, and potential downtime.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
While replatforming requires an upfront investment, it often leads to long-term savings by reducing maintenance costs, improving efficiency, and enabling future scalability.
A cost-benefit analysis can help you determine if replatforming is the right financial decision for your business.
6. Benefits Of Replatforming
As mentioned earlier, replatforming offers numerous benefits, including:
- Performance Improvement: Modern platforms are often more efficient, leading to faster and more reliable applications.
- Cost Efficiency: Replatforming can reduce ongoing maintenance costs and improve resource utilization.
- Enhanced Security: Newer platforms typically offer better security features, protecting your application and data.
- Scalability: A modern platform can scale with your business, supporting growth without the need for major overhauls.
7. Considerations & Challenges Of Replatforming
Replatforming isn’t without its challenges. Here are some potential risks and how to address them:
- Organizational Resistance: This is often the biggest challenge you’ll face. Employees may fear for their job security or be resistant to learning new technologies. Clearly address any concerns with documented communication, training, and support.
- Ensuring Data Integrity and Security: Data integrity and security are paramount during replatforming. Ensure that your data migration strategy includes thorough validation and security measures.
8. Application Replatforming Best Practices
Successful replatforming starts with meticulous planning. Here are some best practices to follow:
- Setting Clear Objectives: Define what you want to achieve with replatforming and how you’ll measure success.
- Creating a Project Roadmap: Outline the steps and timeline for the replatforming project, ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page.
Execution Best Practices
When it comes to execution, consider the following:
- Pre-Migration Testing: Test the new platform thoroughly before migrating to identify any potential issues.
- Monitoring and Managing the Migration: Closely monitor the migration process to ensure everything goes smoothly.
- Ensuring Minimal Downtime: Plan the migration to minimize disruption to your business operations.
Post-Replatforming Activities
Once the migration is complete, follow up with these activities:
- Post-Migration Testing: Validate that the application is functioning as expected on the new platform.
- Training and Support: Provide ongoing training and support to ensure that users are confident with the new system.
- Continuous Monitoring and Optimization: Regularly monitor the application’s performance and make optimizations as needed.
10. Real-Life Examples Of Application Replatforming
To bring the concepts we’ve discussed to life, here are a few case studies of successful replatforming projects:
- Next Day Dumpsters
- American Kidney Fund
- Wireless Infrastructure Association
Each of these organizations faced unique challenges with their legacy systems and successfully transitioned to modern platforms, resulting in significant improvements in performance, efficiency, and scalability.
11. Checklist: Is Replatforming Right For You?
Before you embark on a replatforming project, use this checklist to determine if it’s the right move:
- Signs Your Application Needs Replatforming: Identify any red flags that indicate it’s time to consider replatforming.
- Evaluating Current Infrastructure: Assess whether your current infrastructure can support your future business goals.
- Gathering Stakeholder Input: Engage with key stakeholders to gather their input and ensure alignment.
12. Recommended First Steps
If you’ve determined that replatforming is the right choice, here are some initial steps to get started:
- Initial Planning and Assessment: Begin with a thorough assessment of your current platform and future needs.
- Setting Realistic Goals: Define achievable goals for the replatforming project.
- Engaging Key Stakeholders: Ensure that all relevant stakeholders are involved and on board with the project.
Conclusion
Replatforming your application is a significant undertaking, but with careful planning and execution, it can lead to substantial benefits for your business.
By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can navigate the replatforming process with confidence and set your business up for future success.
Remember, the key to a successful replatforming project is preparation, clear communication, and ongoing optimization.
View Our Application Replatforming Checklist
