Running a rigid, outdated software solution may be presenting your business with multiple challenges, leaving you vulnerable to increased risks, poor productivity and lost opportunities.
Company Director of bespoke software development company, Clever Software Group, Andrew Matthews discusses the increasing importance of moving away from legacy software to a custom-made digital solution.
Is Legacy Software Doing Your Business More Harm than Good?
Covid-19 became a catalyst for many organisations to think seriously about how to digitalise their business systems. Yet a high percentage of businesses are still running on outdated software applications, which significantly underperform and carry excessive maintenance costs. Many businesses across the UK still rely on legacy software to run their daily operations from insurance and retail to manufacturing and energy companies. It is also estimated that between 60-80% of corporate IT budgets are consumed by maintaining legacy systems.
Old Software Could Be Holding Your Business Back
Many industries are making great waves towards smarter worker. Digital-first solutions can provide service continuity, better data insights and pave the way for the implementation of hybrid working strategies. As a result of the pandemic, more IT professionals have recognised vulnerabilities in both their systems and digital strategies. Although operating with inadequate technologies in place may have once been an irritation, it is now becoming a business-critical issue.
Legacy software systems are those which were built using applications and operating systems which are no longer supported or in use. When a software system is first created, it is designed to fit current hardware technologies and business processes.
Users of legacy software will no doubt experience:
- Performance issues which impact productivity
- Dissatisfied employees
- Limited functionality to support processes
- Little to no mobility
- Limited security updates or patches
- Live data access issues
- Lack of support or ability to make any modifications
- No compatibility with your other business systems
A Gateway for Cyberattacks
Recently, the UK National Cyber Security Centre revealed that there were three times as many ransomware attacks in the first quarter of 2021 as there were in the whole of 2019. Businesses are being encouraged to develop robust cybersecurity strategies and security cultures to prevent critical disruption.
Outdated software can be alarmingly easy for hackers to crack, as they often don't support the latest security updates. Most malware targets older versions of software, leaving enterprise data extremely vulnerable and exposed to a cyberattack. Business disruptions and leaking of sensitive information issues can harm the reputation and integrity of any business, no matter the size.
Low Productivity and Job Satisfaction
Slow running systems which are difficult to use can undoubtedly affect productivity and also lead to job satisfaction amongst employees being low. Staff can be stuck administering repetitive, time-consuming tasks, leading to a deficiency in time and resources. With a greater need than ever before for companies to offer remote and hybrid working, employees using old systems are unable to work effectively outside of the physical office environment.
As businesses plan their route to post-Covid recovery, we have seen an uplift in companies needing systems which are built with change and scalability in mind. Off the shelf solutions can rarely provide the functionality and agility needed by each individual business need, which is why developing a bespoke software solution can prove to be a very wise investment.
Benefits of a Bespoke Software System
A custom-made software solution is designed to encompass your company’s unique needs and processes and support smarter, agile working. Scalable, secure, powerful and accessible anywhere, a bespoke cloud-based software system can enable business process automation, which in turn can drive greater efficiencies. Workplaces can benefit from:
- premium data security
- improved compliance
- detailed data insights
- fast and easy updates
- seamless mobile working
- reduced maintenance costs
- personalised, knowledgeable support from the system creators
Not only is a bespoke business application built using the latest technologies to enhance performance and security, it is built with future scalability in mind. A bespoke business solution will become a valuable business asset while enabling your company to make great strides towards all the opportunities opened up by digital transformation.
So, what’s stopping companies from making a change? The cost of investment, business disruption, and a lack of time are all contributing factors. Some businesses are very mindful that a change is needed but simply are unsure where to start. However, with the right planning and expert team in place, a phased, smooth and effective move away from legacy systems can be achieved.
For more information on how to move away from your legacy software visit: https://cleversoftwaregroup.com/think-tank/moving-on-from-your-legacy-software