Preserve the workflow. Renew the system.
Replacing an old application involves more than recreating its screens. Details in reports, accumulated data, device connections and work that operators perform manually all need attention. We start by deciding what the new system must carry forward.
Challenges we can help with
- Move a VB6, MFC or WinForms application to a maintainable architecture.
- Reconstruct a specification from the current application’s behavior.
- Reduce dependence on an unavailable vendor or former developer.
- Plan around operations that cannot tolerate an all-at-once transition.
- Decide how much of the existing reporting, data, device integration and COM assets to keep.
From understanding the current system to switching over
Make the required behavior explicit
We examine screens, reports, data, settings, integrations and operating procedures. We separate features still in use from those no longer needed, then identify the behavior to preserve and the improvements to make in this project.
Find workable migration stages
Alongside a full replacement, we consider gradual migration and starting with peripheral features. When COM, ActiveX or OCX components must remain, we define how the new application connects to them and how they could be replaced later.
Develop the new application and validate the transition
We plan the design and implementation together with data and report checks, parallel operation, migration rehearsals and rollback procedures as needed. We check whether the new system can take over the work, not merely whether development is complete.
How an engagement proceeds
- Current-state assessment. Review the application, documents, data and workflows to identify unknowns and constraints.
- Agreement on the migration approach. Define the behavior to preserve, improvements, priorities and cutover conditions.
- Design and development. Implement the agreed specification and compare the new behavior with the old application.
- Migration and deployment. Prepare the data and operating procedures, then support a phased transition.
You do not have to decide on a rewrite first
We can help determine whether changes will be enough or which parts should be replaced first. When continued use of the existing software is the priority, maintenance and modernization may be the right starting point.
Tell us what the software does, why you are considering replacement, which sources or documents remain and your preferred transition date. Incomplete information is fine: we can begin by planning the assessment.