Managing legacy applications as part of a private cloud transition

Legacy applications shouldn't be seen as a roadblock to proper modernization. With the right emulator, companies can prepare for the transition and incorporate these older functions into an accessible space. When used in conjunction with a private cloud, enterprises can maintain information in a secure and comprehensive environment. Both of these solutions can provide a company-specific answer to operating difficulties.

In an article for TechTarget, Jim O'Reilly says that the private cloud lets organizations incorporate automation into their operations and respond to increasing pressure to adapt to some form of cloud operating environment.

However, he also says that legacy applications have to be "replaced" at some point, which is not true when companies have the right tools for decentralizing their approach to application management. He also identifies the hybrid cloud as an intermediate spot between migrating to the public or private clouds.

"The process of transition will be one of migrating chunks of functionality to the private part of the hybrid cloud, while free-standing apps and code sets that are ready can migrate first to the private cloud, and then to the public cloud as desired," he writes. 

Rather than dismantle their previous applications entirely, businesses should use a mainframe terminal emulation system that doesn't require a complete system overhaul, external plugins or other troublesome additions. Over years, this can add up to major costs and wasted time, and also slow down a wider conversion to cloud-hosted functionality.

Starting with software that translates applications cleanly into a crawlable website represents a significant potential investment for companies that need to acknowledge important changes in IT. Like the private cloud, this solution offers a means of keeping important enterprise data available and accessible for sohpisticated, modern organizations.