My Approach to Application Modernisation

When it comes to application modernisation, it’s important to understand the difference between migrating and modernising. Migration is about moving your app to a new environment, like shifting from on-premise servers to the cloud. It’s a change of scenery, but the app largely stays the same. Modernisation, on the other hand, is a much deeper process. It’s about rethinking and reworking your application to take full advantage of new technologies, improve performance, and ensure long-term value.

So, while migrating might get your app to the cloud, modernising is what makes sure it thrives there. And that’s where Return on Investment (ROI) comes in. Modernising an app isn’t just about jazzing it up with the latest tech or moving it to containers; it’s about making sure that every dollar you spend today brings value tomorrow and well into the future. If it’s not going to pay off in the long run, it’s just not worth the effort.

Putting ROI First

Let’s be honest there’s no point in modernising for the sake of it. The real question is, how will these changes impact your business down the track? That’s where ROI comes in. Whether it's about cutting down on ongoing costs by moving to the cloud or upgrading to more efficient systems, the goal is to save on infrastructure, maintenance, and downtime. And let’s not forget about the human factor reducing the need for constant firefighting can free up your team to focus on what really matters.

Boosting revenue is another big win. When you improve the user experience, you’re not just making your app prettier; you’re making it easier for customers to stick around, which can mean higher retention rates and more money in the bank. Plus, by clearing out old, clunky code that’s expensive and time-consuming to maintain, you’re slashing technical debt and reducing costs down the line. And by adopting modern technologies, you make it easier to find developers who know their stuff massively important when it comes to future-proofing your app.

Cloud Re-Architecture

When it comes to re-architecting for the cloud, it’s easy to get caught up in the buzz around the latest tech trends, ie "Needs more AI!". But let’s be real, what works on paper doesn’t always work in practice. Adopting modern patterns is important, but it needs to make sense for your business. The gold standard isn’t always the right answer. What really matters is finding a solution that’s practical, feasible, and aligned with your specific goals.

One of the key areas I focus on is ensuring your app has built-in redundancy and high availability. This is crucial in today’s always-on world because it means your app can keep running smoothly even when something goes awry. Cost is another big factor. The flexibility of the cloud is a game changer here, allowing you to optimise expenses while still hitting performance and availability targets. It’s all about getting the most value for your money without compromising on quality.

Another huge advantage of the cloud is its global reach. These days, providing a fast and reliable experience for users across the globe is more achievable than ever. But don’t forget, re-architecting for the cloud isn’t just about shifting your app to a new platform. It’s about setting it up to meet today’s business demands, striking a smart balance between cutting-edge technology and practical, cost-effective solutions.

I’ve got a few favourite modernisation approaches that I rely on depending on the situation. The Strangler Pattern is great for gradually replacing old systems by building new functionality around them and slowly cutting away the old code. It’s a clever way to modernise without causing disruption. Similarly, using microservices to break down monolithic applications into more manageable and independent services is another strategy that often pays off, especially when looking to scale or introduce new features without overhauling the entire system.

Each project is different, but the goal is always the same, finding the right mix of tools and techniques to deliver a solution that works for you, now and in the future.

UX/Experience Uplift

Now is the perfect time to evolve your user experience by embracing a human-centred design (HCD) approach. Putting the user first is more important than ever, whether that user is a customer interacting with your app or an employee working behind the scenes. This approach isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential for staying competitive!

A key part of this evolution involves research, re-mapping user journeys, and redefining what truly matters to the user. This is your opportunity to dive deep into the needs and desires of your users and align your design to meet those expectations.

Prototyping and refining designs using modern tools is a critical step in this process. Personally, I rely on Figma because it allows for rapid iterations and real-time collaboration, making it easy to ensure every design decision is user-focused and thoroughly tested.

In addition to this, we leverage modern design systems to bring consistency and scalability to your app. One of my go-to choices is Material UI (MUI), which offers a robust set of components that are both intuitive and easy to implement. This not only enhances the user experience but also speeds up the development process.

Accessibility is another area where now is the time to make meaningful improvements. Ensuring your app is WCAG compliant is not just a requirement but a responsibility. This guarantees that your application is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities, and it’s something that needs to be integrated into the design from the very beginning.

By combining human-centred design, modern tools like Figma, systems like MUI, and a steadfast commitment to accessibility, you can create an experience that truly works for everyone. This is the moment to make those critical updates and ensure your app is not just current, but ahead of the curve.

Frontend Overhaul

Building on our human-centred approach to UX, the frontend of your application is where all that thoughtful design comes to life. It’s where your users spend their time, so it needs to be nothing short of exceptional. If your app’s looking a bit dated or isn’t performing as well as it should, it’s probably time for a frontend overhaul.

One of the first things to consider is whether your existing libraries and frameworks are still up to the task. Sometimes, the best move is upgrading your current setup to something more modern, like transitioning to React if you’re not already using it. Keeping your tech stack current ensures better performance, easier maintenance, and a smoother development process.

A crucial part of this overhaul is implementing a robust design system. By using a design system like MUI you can bring much-needed consistency to your app, making it easier to roll out new features while maintaining a cohesive user experience. This consistency not only enhances usability but also speeds up development, as components can be reused across different parts of the application.

In some cases, the best way forward might be to migrate to an entirely new language or framework. While this can be a significant undertaking, the long-term benefits in terms of performance and future-proofing are often well worth the effort. Whether it’s adopting Server-Side Rendering (SSR) for better SEO or faster initial load times for latency issues, or choosing Single-Page Applications (SPA) for a smoother, app-like experience, the key is selecting the right approach based on your NFRs.

The goal of a frontend overhaul is to create a user interface that not only looks great but also runs smoothly, providing a seamless experience for everyone who interacts with your app. By aligning your frontend with modern patterns and best practices, you ensure that your application isn’t just up-to-date, but also ready to meet the demands of today’s users.

Backend Modernisation

While the frontend gets all the glory, the backend is where the real work happens. If your backend is outdated, it can drag down the whole app, no matter how flashy the frontend is. Modernising the backend is crucial for improving performance, scalability, and reliability. This might involve moving towards microservices or serverless architectures, which can make your backend more flexible and scalable.

Building your backend around APIs is another smart move. This makes it easier to integrate with other systems and adapt to new requirements as they arise. And let’s not forget about cloud, optimising your backend for a cloud environment can unlock features like auto-scaling and managed services, which reduce the workload on your team. A modernised backend ensures your app has the power it needs to perform well now and as it grows.

TLDR

Modernising an application isn’t just about ticking off a checklist of new technologies. It’s about making sure every part of your app from the user interface to the backend, and all the way to the cloud is set up to deliver value in the long term. By focusing on ROI, enhancing the user experience, overhauling the frontend, modernising the backend, and re-architecting for the cloud, you ensure that your app isn’t just ready for today but built to thrive in the future.

So, if your app’s starting to feel a bit dated or you’re looking to get ahead of the curve, let’s chat about how modernisation can help you stay on top of your game.

Reach out to info@betadigital.com.au or hit me up on linkedin!