Legacy system evolution eased as NCC publishes new guidelines

Martin Rice, CEO of Erudine, p;oints out that joined-up IT and web services are powerful tools for business innovation and cost reduction, but that uptake is often hindered by inflexible legacy systems and the perception of high costs. The new guidelines, 'Evaluating Legacy, a Modern Approach' examine the driving forces behind legacy modernisation projects, identify potential solutions and review business benefits and risks. Says Rice: "The burden of legacy is something that cannot be ignored. In a world becoming far more competitive, businesses need to become agile, and to achieve this, the underpinning IT infrastructure needs to be capable of evolution, adapting to the commercial opportunities faster than the competition." He refers to the concept of 'legacy evolution', which "entails the core logic of legacy systems being brought into line with current requirements, and then evolved in real-time going forward". The Guidelines also explore the technical challenges involved and how new approaches seek to reduce the time, risk and cost traditionally associated with legacy modernisation. Michael Dean, NCC's director of advisory services, comments: "Organisations are often fearful of moving away from legacy systems, despite the benefits of new technology. These guidelines also discuss the boardroom shift, which sees legacy as a business constraint, rather than just an IT problem."