Some of our customers face a significant burden when it comes to maintaining legacy software. The costs are not limited to financial investment but extend to substantial risks such as cyber threats and knowledge management. Add to that the time demands on internal resources and the expense of maintaining development infrastructure—such as outdated runtimes, application servers, and databases—and the challenge becomes overwhelming. 💸

The Waiting Game: Legacy Software in Limbo

In many cases, this software is merely biding its time, awaiting decommissioning to make way for modern alternatives. However, during this transitional phase, the software still needs to function—and someone must “keep the plane flying.” ✈️

Outsourcing maintenance may seem like a logical solution, but it’s not always straightforward. Suppliers are often hesitant to take on small-scale projects, especially those with limited workloads (less than one FTE) or significant technical debt. This hesitance is compounded when the software's vulnerabilities increase the risks of cyberattacks. Additionally, reliance on a single person’s knowledge of legacy software creates its own set of challenges, such as the dreaded “bus factor”—what happens when that key person is unavailable? 🚌

How We Keep the Plane Flying

At Knoware, we’ve encountered these scenarios before and stepped in to provide robust solutions. We take charge of all technical aspects, including source code management if necessary, and leverage our software factory toolset. This enables our customers to retire old development servers while benefiting from tools like:

• Software Composition Analysis for detecting vulnerabilities in dependencies.

• Static Automated Code Analysis for identifying potential issues early. ⚙️

Depending on the outsourcing agreement, we can also handle technical upgrades—updating libraries and frameworks to reduce technical debt and address known vulnerabilities—or simply provide recommendations based on our analyses. 🖋️

Modernizing the Development Environment

Modernizing legacy development environments is another essential service we offer. For instance, when an application relies on outdated CGI web servers and databases, we upgrade the environment to a container-based solution. This approach simplifies management by eliminating the need for complex virtual servers. We also “Dockerize” legacy dependencies, reducing costs for customers who may only require an acceptance environment once a year. 🐳

Overcoming the “Bus Factor”

At Knoware, we ensure that no single developer is indispensable when it comes to maintaining software. More than one developer will always have knowledge of a given project, reducing the “bus factor” and ensuring seamless maintenance. Part of our process includes documenting the software adequately, whether by indexing existing documentation or writing the missing pieces. While we may not rewrite every detail, we ensure we have the knowledge required to maintain the software effectively. 📚

Preparing for Decommissioning

When the time comes to retire legacy software, we assist with data export—either to the new system or to archives—and ensure a smooth decommissioning process. By providing this end-to-end support, we eliminate the headache of finding specialists willing to work with outdated applications. 🤯

Transparency and Control

Our issue management tool provides complete transparency, serving as a knowledge database and a powerful radar to keep the software’s maintenance on course. This not only supports our internal operations but also assures our customers that everything is under control. 🛣️

By outsourcing software maintenance to Knoware, our customers can focus on their core business activities while we “keep the plane flying” for them. From technical upgrades to eventual decommissioning, we’re here to ensure a seamless journey.

Why Partner with Knoware?

If your organization is grappling with legacy software challenges, Knoware is your trusted partner. We bring expertise, transparency, and a proactive approach to ensure your software remains functional and secure while preparing it for a smooth transition to its next stage. Let us take the burden off your shoulders and provide peace of mind knowing that your software is in capable hands. Together, we’ll keep your plane flying and ensure a safe landing when the time comes. ✈️

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