Application Modernization

Accelerate and innovate with your software development in the cloud

10 July 2019

cloud

The benefits of switching to the cloud should not be underestimated. Last week, we ran a one-day technical session together with Microsoft that focused on how to modernize your existing applications by leveraging the current developer services available on Microsoft Azure. Below, we summarize the key take-aways for you.

Format of the event

To maximize your use of the potential offered by the cloud as a platform for applications, there are a number of key points that need to be considered. Through several sessions we gained insight into the core concepts of modernizing applications and how to put in place modern DevOps processes to streamline the end-to-end life cycle of applications. Technical experts were on hand to help demonstrate how to solve challenges with a variety of approaches using Azure technologies. 

Experiences with Azure migration were shared, with application modernization using containers, full-stack monitoring for applications and infrastructure being discussed. We also looked at cloud application modernization and innovation in more detail.

“A whole host of information and new insights were shared. This gave me plenty of fresh ideas and material to consider and pursue.” – Event participant

The key take-aways

Moving to a cloud solution fundamentally speeds up your processes.
Adopting the cloud puts you in a position to do things in a completely different way. It's much more than simply using a different platform. The vast potential of the cloud allows you to switch to a DevOps approach in your company. Since so much software and so many tools are available in the cloud across the board and at a relatively low cost, your development potential can really take off. Operational tasks can be optimized, enabling you to get a new technology off the ground much faster or simply try something out in the short term to get an idea of its chances of success. Innovation becomes possible through a process of continuous improvement, as CAPEX can be avoided. All in all, this results in significantly increased effectiveness and efficiency for your software development process.

Don't underestimate the change involved.

The many new features coupled with a different approach to working requires a willingness to change the way you do things now. Realizing the full potential of the cloud calls for a different mental approach since it has an impact on different areas within your organization. For instance, IT needs to be organized differently in order to be able to apply the right approach. Similarly, budgeting will be different as you are moving over to an OPEX model. 
As with any major change, it is best to introduce it gradually, so that the right maturity steps are taken with sufficient consideration for the human side of things. Moreover, you need people at all levels of the organization who understand the need for this change. 

Rethink your prejudices.

Many people are still resistant to the idea of switching to cloud-based working. They may well see the advantages, but still have questions about things like the security of their data or the complexity of building a hybrid architecture. This, too, requires mental input. After all, it takes effort to understand and adjust your prejudices. Nonetheless, it is worth putting the effort in, as areas like security, professionalism, relative cost and access to new technologies are standard features of the cloud. The large scale on which cloud providers operate mean it is of critical importance for them to have these matters under control, as these aspects will make or break their reputation.

Cloud native makes other architectures and solutions possible

Many applications are still conceived as silos. In the cloud you can combine services in a completely new way to realize new solutions. The services apply standards and are easy to integrate. This means that the architectures are separate, rapid development is possible and you gain access to all sorts of new technologies, such as chatbots and translation or language technology.

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