Digital Transformation: Modernizing Database Applications
Teresa Wingfield
January 18, 2024
In my previous blog on digital transformation, I wrote about the benefits of migrating mission-critical databases to the cloud. This time, I’m focusing on modernizing the applications that interact with the database. Application modernization can involve modernizing an application’s code, features, architecture and/or infrastructure. It’s a growing priority according to The 2023 Gartner CIO and Technology Executive Survey that places it in the top 4 technology areas in spending, with 46% of organizations increasing their spending on application modernization. Further, Foundry, an IDG company, reports that 87% of its survey respondents cite modernizing critical applications as a key success driver.
7 Benefits of Database Application Modernization
Why all the recent interest in transitioning to modern applications? Application modernization and database modernization are closely intertwined processes that work together to enhance the overall agility, efficiency, performance, security, innovation, and capabilities of an organization’s business. Here’s how application modernization complements database modernization:
Accelerated Time to Market
Monolithic legacy applications are time-consuming to update. Modernized applications with a loosely coupled architecture can enable faster development cycles, reducing the time it takes to bring new features or products to market. Agile development methodologies often accompany application modernization, enabling incremental and iterative development so that teams can respond rapidly to changing business requirements.
Cloud-Enabled Opportunities
Moving applications to the cloud as part of an application modernization initiative provides an extensive list of advantages over on-premises deployments, including elasticity, scalability, accessibility, business continuity, environmental sustainability, and more.
Optimized User Experience
Modernizing applications offers many ways to increase user satisfaction, and productivity, including more intuitive interfaces, personalization, improved response times and better accessibility. Multi-channel support such as mobile and web and cross-platform compatibility extend reach while advanced search and navigation, rich media incorporation, and third-party integrations add value for users.
Stronger Security and Compliance
Legacy applications built on outdated technologies may lack security features and defenses against contemporary threats and may not comply with regulatory compliance requirements. Modernizing applications allows for the implementation of the latest security measures and compliance standards, reducing the likelihood of security breaches and non-compliance.
Staff Productivity
Legacy systems can be difficult to maintain and may require significant technical resources for updates and support. Modern applications can improve staff efficiency, reduce maintenance expenses, and lead to better utilization of resources for strategic initiatives that deliver greater value to the business.
Easier Integration
Application modernization supports integration with technologies and architectural best practices that enhance interoperability, flexibility, and efficiency. Using technologies such as microservices, APIs, containers, standardized protocols, and/or cloud services, it’s easier to integrate modernized applications within complex IT environments.
Support for Innovation
Legacy applications often make it difficult to incorporate newer technologies, hindering innovation. Modernizing applications allows organizations the ability to leverage emerging technologies, such as machine learning and Internet of Things (IoT) for competitive advantage.
Database Application Modernization With Ingres NeXT
In summary, database application modernization is a strategic digital transformation initiative that can help organizations stay ahead in the digital age. However, application modernization can be expensive and risky without the right approach.
Ingres NeXt is designed to protect existing database application investments in OpenROAD while leveraging them in new ways to add value to your business, without costly and lengthy rewrites. Flexible options to modernize your OpenROAD applications include:
- ABF and Forms-Based Applications – Modernize ABF applications to OpenROAD frames using the abf2or migration utility and extend converted applications to mobile and web applications.
- OpenROAD and Workbench IDE – Migrate partitioned ABF applications to OpenROAD frames.
- OpenROAD Server – Deploy applications securely in the OpenROAD Server to retain and use application business logic.
In addition, The Ingres NeXt Readiness Assessment offers a pre-defined set of professional services that can lower your risk for application modernization and increase your confidence for a successful cloud journey. The service is designed to assist you with understanding the requirements to modernize Ingres and ABF or OpenROAD applications and to impart recommendations important to your modernization strategy formulation, planning, and implementation.
