In an era where digital transformation is the name of the game, modernising core business applications is no longer an option but a necessity. For many organisations, mainframes remain the backbone of their IT infrastructure. According to new research from IBM’s Institute for Business Value, 7 out of 10 IT executives consider mainframe-based applications vital to their business and technology strategies. However, the pace of innovation is relentless, and organisations must adapt or risk falling behind.
The Importance of Mainframe Modernisation
Mainframes are often criticised as being outdated, but the reality is that it’s the applications running on these systems that need updating—not the platforms themselves. Mainframe application modernisation involves updating, refactoring, and transforming legacy applications to align with modern computing architectures, technologies, and business requirements.
Why Modernise?
- Skills Gap:
Many of these legacy applications were designed decades ago, and the programmers who built them are retiring, leading to a growing skills gap.
- Agile Development:
Traditional mainframe development often follows a waterfall approach, which slows down the pace of changes. Today, businesses need to be agile to respond rapidly to market demands.
- Integration with Modern Technologies:
By modernising applications, organisations can integrate them with modern technologies such as cloud services, microservices, and APIs, making them more flexible and scalable.
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Why Azure for Mainframe Modernisation?
Azure provides a robust framework to facilitate the modernisation of mainframe applications. Here’s how:
1. Scalability and Flexibility
Azure’s cloud infrastructure allows organisations to scale their applications seamlessly. This means you can handle fluctuating workloads without investing in additional on-premises hardware, thus reducing costs.
2. Integration with Existing Systems
Azure offers various tools and services that make it easier to integrate legacy mainframe applications with modern systems. Tools like Azure Logic Apps and Azure API Management enable seamless interaction between old and new technologies.
3. Advanced Analytics and AI
Mainframe data can be leveraged for advanced analytics and AI applications when moved to Azure. Azure’s machine learning and analytics tools can provide deeper insights into business operations, enabling more informed decision-making.
4. Enhanced Security
Azure provides state-of-the-art security features, including identity management, threat protection, and compliance solutions. These features ensure that your modernised applications meet stringent security requirements.
Steps to Modernise Mainframe Applications with Azure
Step 1: Assessment and Planning
Begin by assessing your current mainframe environment. Identify the applications that need modernisation and define the scope and objectives of the project.
Step 2: Choose the Right Migration Approach
Based on your assessment, choose the appropriate migration strategy:
- Rehosting:
Lift and shift your applications to Azure with minimal changes.
- Refactoring:
Modify and optimise your applications to better fit the cloud environment.
- Rearchitecting:
Rebuild your applications using cloud-native technologies.
Step 3: Implement and Test
Implement the chosen migration approach and thoroughly test the modernised applications to ensure they meet performance and functionality requirements.
Step 4: Monitor and Optimise
Use Azure’s monitoring and analytics tools to continuously track the performance of your modernised applications. Make necessary adjustments to optimise performance and cost-efficiency.
Conclusion
Mainframes continue to be crucial in many businesses, and modernising the applications running on these systems is imperative for staying competitive. Azure provides a comprehensive set of tools and services that can help organisations seamlessly transition their legacy applications into the modern age, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and enhanced security.