A legacy system is a piece of outdated or old computing software that is still in use. While it may be true that the system is still functioning, it may not be up to modern standards and can even cause security risks. Which will damage a company’s bottom line. Legacy software can also cause issues when it comes to updating systems, which means major headaches. And it is for that reason that it is important for a company to keep their software and systems up-to-date. But, there are different reasons that a company may still be using a legacy system. These reasons include things like:
- Not Wanting to Change: Change can be difficult, especially when it comes to key software. New systems may have unknown issues and implementing new software can prove to be a challenging task.
- Investment: Updating a software system comes with an up-front cost, both in money and in manpower. But in the long run, legacy systems may be costing you more or hurting productivity
- Data Migration: Safely migrating data and information to a new system is a delicate task. In fact, it may seem like a risk. But when done by professionals, the job can be completed properly.
What Problems Can Legacy Systems Cause?
Although there are valid reasons why legacy systems are still in use, the risks and problems associated often outweigh them. Some issues that can come from a legacy piece of software are:-
Maintenance Becomes Costly
-
Compliance is Difficult
-
Integrating New Systems
-
Security is Put at Risk