Introduction

In today’s accelerating technology landscape, the ability to adapt and evolve is crucial. Yet, many organizations find themselves bogged down by legacy systems that no longer meet their needs. Transitioning from these outdated solutions to more advanced tools can be a daunting task, especially when user experience and uninterrupted service are paramount. Our recent project exemplifies this challenge and the innovative solutions required to navigate it successfully.

The Challenge

The client was contending with a legacy application containing more than 60,000 lines of fragmented code with several major components well past end of support, and they needed a way to update their tooling without interrupting their users. One of the app’s main functions was to present their data in a series of charts, but the app, being what it was, offered very little in terms of fine-tuning that data. It was so ineffective that, in our discussions with their end users, we discovered that the most common practice was to export that data to CSV files and re-import into other applications before being shared with other team members.

The problem was clear: these scattered and disparate implementations were not always acting on the same data. A common source was needed, and if other applications were offering the value, why did they still need the legacy application?

Our Solution

Changing software tools is often difficult and error-prone, as evidenced by the migration options highlighted by vendors. Even if there is a flawless migration path, you still need to have the new system up and running before you migrate. So the question was, how can we keep the client running and provide them with an environment where they can make changes at their own pace?

Curator by Interworks to the rescue. With established integration to multiple enterprise reporting platforms, Curator was capable of providing a common space for the new reports. More importantly, it was also capable of embedding the legacy application, ultimately presenting a single pane of glass for a seamless user experience.

Each page of the original web app was presented in an iFrame on a Curator page, and the top navigation menu was altered to mimic the legacy application. With this as the starting point, all the application pages were added, and a proof of concept Power BI report was added to sit side by side.

The changes required to make this work were fairly minimal, with the main parts being a change to SAML authentication, Windows messaging for communication between Curator and the application, and Redis state persistence for a few key variables. The most difficult part was integrating it with the existing code base without breaking anything, which was challenging.

We will be doing a deeper dive into the technical challenges encountered and the solutions for those interested.

Results and Benefits

The result is a unified, stylish and consistent enterprise application that brings together the legacy application seamlessly with the additional reports. The core value lies in allowing a variable-length transition period without an interruption of service or a required data migration or syncing. Going forward, the client has the option to replace the legacy application views with any of several reporting platforms, and Curator will help make the transition a seamless experience. Once all the charts have been migrated, the legacy application can be turned off, decommissioning a fragile system and replacing it with a more robust equivalent while maintaining business continuity. This project not only solved the client’s immediate issues but also set them on a path to a more efficient and user-friendly data management system.

Looking Ahead

If you’re looking to take your digital transformation to the next level, remember that you don’t have to navigate these complex challenges alone. At Rower Consulting, we specialize in helping businesses like yours integrate and optimize new technologies seamlessly and efficiently. Whether it’s enhancing your data analytics capabilities or revamping your legacy systems, our experts are here to guide you every step of the way.

Don’t wait to start your transformation journey—contact us today, and let’s create a tailored solution that propels your business forward.