Application Modernization Services for Legacy Applications

Application modernization means converting applications built on legacy technology into scalable applications with a responsive user interface and an API-based architecture that can also be hosted in the cloud. It updates outdated software to improve scalability, usability and maintainability.

Modernization reduces operational costs, improves performance, ensures compatibility with modern technologies, and enhances user experience. It also helps businesses stay competitive and adaptable to market trends.

Outdated systems can become expensive to maintain, difficult to integrate with new technologies, and vulnerable to security threats. They may also limit your business's ability to adapt and innovate.

We start with an in-depth analysis of your current system and business goals. Then, we create a roadmap that may include UI/UX updates, API integration, migration to the cloud, and performance optimization. Our process ensures minimal disruption and maximum ROI.

Yes, we specialize in cloud enablement and migration, making your applications more scalable and cost-efficient. We work with platforms like Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, and Google GCP.

Our expertise spans both legacy languages like C, C++, and Visual Basic, and modern technologies such as C#, Angular, React, NodeJS, and .NET Core. We tailor our approach to suit your application’s requirements.

The timeline depends on the complexity of the application and the scope of the modernization project. Small-scale updates may take a few months, while large migrations could take six months or longer.

Microservices architecture breaks down monolithic applications into smaller, independent components. This allows for easier updates, better scalability, and enhanced system reliability.

Yes, we prioritize compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and other industry standards. Our modernization process integrates advanced security measures to protect your data.

We optimize performance by addressing bottlenecks, upgrading to faster frameworks, enhancing database efficiency, and leveraging cloud computing for scalability.

Our UI/UX modernization ensures that your system remains intuitive and user-friendly, minimizing the learning curve for existing users while providing an improved experience.

This highly depends on the state of your current legacy system and the goals for the modernization. In most cases, modernization allows you to retain business functionality while benefiting from new technologies.

During the discovery process, we can decide how much of the current code base can be reused or retained in the new application.

We follow a structured process that includes discovery workshops, prototyping, iterative development, and rigorous testing. This approach minimizes risks and ensures a seamless transition.

Yes, we provide ongoing support to ensure your modernized applications remain optimized, secure, and aligned with your evolving business needs.

Contact SharpQuest for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your current system, discuss your goals, and provide a tailored roadmap to modernize your application effectively.

Most of our modernization projects start at around $30,000. The cost depends on the size of the application, how much of the existing code and data can be reused, the target platform and the integrations involved. After a free assessment, we give you an estimate and a modernization roadmap.

We regularly handle these migrations:

• VB6 to .NET: Convert Visual Basic desktop apps to modern desktop or web applications using .NET and C#.
• ASP.NET Web Forms to modern single-page apps: Replace postback pages with Angular or React front ends over .NET Web APIs.
• .NET Framework to .NET 10: Move to the current cross-platform .NET for long-term support, better performance and cloud hosting.
• AngularJS to Angular: AngularJS reached end of life in 2021. We migrate to current Angular, screen by screen if needed.
• Silverlight to web applications: Rebuild Silverlight apps, which no browser runs anymore, as standards-based web apps.
• Xamarin to .NET MAUI: Microsoft ended Xamarin support in May 2024. We move Xamarin apps to .NET MAUI. See our mobile app development services for more information.
• On-premise to cloud: Move on-premise applications and databases to Azure or AWS by rehosting, replatforming or refactoring.

Not sure which path fits your application? Tell us about it and we'll recommend one.

It depends on how current your technology is and what the business needs next. In short: rehost moves the application to the cloud as it is, replatform upgrades the platform while keeping most of the code, refactor restructures the code for new features and integrations, and rebuild rewrites it on a modern stack. See Rehost, Replatform, Refactor or Rebuild? above for when we recommend each, or ask us for an assessment.

The biggest challenges are undocumented business rules, data migration, keeping the business running during the switch, integrations, and user adoption.

Business rules that were never documented. Years of important business logic often exist only in the application code or in the knowledge of the people who use the system every day. Our discovery process includes reviewing both the existing system and the business processes behind it to help ensure critical functionality is not lost.

Data migration and data quality. Older systems often contain incomplete, inconsistent, or duplicate data. Data usually needs to be cleaned, migrated, validated, and tested before a new system can go live. Data migration is a dedicated part of our modernization process.

Keeping the business running during the transition. Most organizations cannot simply shut down an existing application while a replacement is being built. We plan deployments carefully and, when appropriate, modernize systems in phases to reduce disruption.

Integrations with other systems. Applications rarely operate in isolation. ERP systems, accounting software, reporting platforms, vendor systems, and other business tools often depend on the existing application. Those integrations must continue to function throughout the transition.

User adoption and change management. Even the best software can fail if users are not comfortable with it. We demo working software regularly and gather feedback, so users help shape the solution before it goes live.

The right modernization strategy depends on the application, business goals, budget, and timeline. Depending on the situation, the best approach may be to rehost, replatform, refactor, or completely rebuild the application.

We use separate development, test and production environments, back up before every major release or migration, and test data migrations before moving production data.

Every change is reviewed and validated in the test environment before it reaches your live system. Before major releases or migrations, we also test that the backups can be restored.

For data migration projects, we test the migration process separately before moving production data. This allows us to identify data quality issues, validate results, and reduce risk before cutover.

When a system is going live, we monitor the deployment and work with your team to verify that critical business processes are functioning as expected.

We are happy to sign an NDA before discussing your project. For healthcare organizations, we can also execute a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA) when required.

If preferred, your application and data can remain within your own Azure environment, allowing your organization to maintain control over user access, security policies, and infrastructure.

Ownership of the source code and intellectual property is set out in your contract with us. We agree on it before work starts, so you know exactly what you will own. At handover you get the source code, documentation and environment access your contract covers.

Yes, we sign your NDA, or use our mutual NDA, before you share project details.