Agencies face significant pressure to modernize their IT. But they must also maintain service continuity, regulatory compliance and security. Some rely on existing systems that are facing pressure to undergo expensive vendor updates as vendors sunset support for mission-critical on-prem software. Agencies may use custom software that has little or no external support. Modernization, especially when it means moving to cloud or SaaS applications, can strain finances and resources.
Third-party support for core systems allows agencies to modernize at their own speed and within budget. By securing software without reliance on its original vendors, agencies can save money on upgrades and extend the useful life of their applications. That gives them the freedom to choose when and how to move forward, and savings that can help pay for new technologies when the time comes.
When modernizing on a budget, “best practices include intentionally [incorporating] legacy applications in [your] overall modernization roadmap, rather than treating them as kind of a rock in the stream,” said Robert Freeman, Rimini Street’s Rimini Fellow for Oracle Technology. “That means we need to stabilize and secure these systems so that they continue to deliver mission value. We need to manage them as long-term assets instead of short-term assets.”
In this video interview, Freeman discusses the ins and outs of modernizing while maintaining existing systems. Topics include:
- Why agencies struggle with service continuity when updating systems.
- When to incorporate current systems into a modernization strategy.
- How third-party support makes funds available for new technologies.