Why Legacy System Needs To Go

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Why Legacy Systems Need To Go
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• A legacy system is a system that essentially
  belongs to a previous generation, in a manner of
  speaking. It is typically an old system that
  despite its age and lack of modern compatibility
  still exists and continues to be in use. This is
  not because the users have found no reason to
  change it though. The fact of the matter is that
  it meets their requirements and does not present
  any problems while doing so. However, the more
  practical reason is the fact that it would be too
  expensive to have it replaced or overhauled. On
  top of that, a legacy system usually commands an
  important project, and so it would be too
  difficult to temporarily put it offline or to
  replace it.

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• However, as with everything, there is always need
  for change. A legacy system may present problems
  and limitations to the organization, and
  stubbornly holding on to it may result in major
  repercussions, not only for the organization, but
  also the users who interact with it.

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• One of the limitations of many a legacy system is
  the fact that it runs on old hardware, which may
  be obsolete. This can result in a lack of
  efficiency in that the legacy system in question
  may be too slow with relation to processing speed
  demands. Even finding spare components to replace
  those that may have gotten spoilt may be
  extremely difficult. Furthermore, though said
  spare components are found, constantly
  maintaining a legacy system can be
  counterproductive in the fact that the profits
  generated would have to be ploughed back into a
  depreciating asset.

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• However, should the owners of the legacy system
  be dead set on using the system, they may be
  lucky enough to manage to find a method of
  integrating current hardware technology with the
  system. Usually there are emulators and backward
  compatible components that can aid in doing so,
  allowing the legacy system to live to fight
  another battle.

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• Regardless of finding a way to keep the legacy
  system online though, there would normally be
  problems with regards to maintaining it other
  than the hardware aspect. This is due to the fact
  that the creators of the legacy system (usually
  belonging to the previous generation) have
  probably left the organization, or have forgotten
  the system specifics. It is even more so
  difficult if they left inadequate or no
  documentation behind on the legacy system. Thus,
  if a problem develops that cannot be solved it
  can have unprecedented drawbacks because no one
  would be able to solve it.

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• Due to the fact that it is usually built on out
  dated technology, a legacy system may prove to be
  fertile playing ground for hackers galore. This
  is especially tempting if the legacy system
  governs a nuclear power plant, airport control
  system or even military facility. The fact that
  information technology has significantly
  developed, it would be childs play to find the
  workings of a legacy system. It can even be
  worse, if the attack is orchestrated by those
  within the organization who know the limitations
  of the legacy system in terms of security.

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