Technology Blog - Redapt

How AI Can Cut the Costs of Application Modernization and Revive Your Stalled Projects

Written by David Cantu | Jul 15, 2024 9:18:46 PM

Application modernization is a resource-intensive process required for organizations to remain effective. However, modernization projects are often delayed due to factors such as the complexity of legacy systems, issues with tool or platform integrations, and staggering project costs. When modernization is delayed too long, it can have detrimental effects on the organization. Outdated legacy systems can weigh down innovation, hinder productivity, and even put organizations at a competitive disadvantage. 

Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal tool for assisting application modernization efforts. From generating code to expediting troubleshooting, AI can enhance application modernization efforts by accelerating the application’s development, integration, security, and overall efficiency. 

The move to AI is coming quickly, with implementations across all aspects of the modernization lifecycle. According to Gartner, by 2025, 30% of enterprises will have an AI-augmented development and testing strategy, and by 2027, 15% of all new applications will be generated entirely without human labor.  

Accelerating Application Development 

AI can be an enormous resource for modernization projects, especially for development. Modernizing an application can be resource-intensive, with extensive documentation, code formation, and quality assurance testing. The need for proper development resources is commonly cited as a reason for modernization to run past due dates. Fortunately, AI can bring substantial dividends in significant aspects of application development.  

Automated Code Generation

AI tools can generate code snippets, entire functions, or complete applications from defined parameters and historical data. Automated generation reduces the need for developers to write boilerplate code, allowing them to focus on more creative and valuable tasks instead. For instance, Microsoft Azure’s AI-driven solutions resulted in a 46% reduction in time and resources for the development lifecycle, which can dramatically lower project costs. 

Enhanced Testing and Debugging

Testing is crucial for ensuring the reliability and consistency of applications. AI-powered testing tools can quickly identify bugs, predict issues before they arise, and suggest optimal test cases. All this leads to more accurate code and faster release cycles. According to a study by IDC, Azure's AI-driven testing tools cut deployment times by 51%, enabling faster time-to-market.

Intelligent UI Design 

AI is also valuable in building user interfaces (UI) and other design elements. AI-powered tools can suggest elements to enhance user experiences across the application by analyzing past user feedback, behavior, and preferences. These data-driven approaches to user personalization can help your application deliver superior digital experiences.

Streamlining Integration 

Integration is another prominent feature of modernization. Successful modernization often involves integrating diverse systems and environments. Systems integration can be complex as different platforms, tools, and teams reconcile differences in formats, needs, and requirements.  

Introducing AI can simplify integrations through automation, reducing the complexity and resource demands typically associated with app modernization. 

Automated Workflow and Process Integration 

AI can automate intricate workflows and processes, ensuring seamless integration between components and applications. For example, generative AI can help understand legacy applications with minimal subject matter expert (SME) involvement, correlating domain and functional capabilities to code and data. AI-powered integration can facilitate the generation of target designs for specific cloud service provider frameworks.

Predictive Maintenance 

AI's predictive capabilities can forecast application performance and infrastructure issues, allowing teams to address problems proactively. This predictive maintenance reduces downtime and ensures continuous operation for business-critical applications. 

Enhancing Security 

The third significant aspect of application modernization is security. Security remains a top concern for organizations undergoing modernization. Because modernization determines the application’s future environment, security must be factored into each development component. Leveraging AI as a cybersecurity tool can augment existing capabilities and enhance overall security performance.

Threat Detection and Prevention 

AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns indicative of security threats, enabling real-time detection and prevention. Establishing robust systems of proactive threat detection can safeguard applications from potential breaches. AI-driven security tools can adapt to evolving threats, ensuring robust protection over time.

Secure Authentication 

AI enhances secure authentication by leveraging ML algorithms to detect anomalies and verify user identities accurately. Proper authentication processes reduce the risk of unauthorized access and ensure that only legitimate users can interact with critical systems.

Compliance and Risk Management 

AI can also help maintain compliance with regulatory requirements by providing continuous monitoring and reporting capabilities. These continually operating programs help organizations avoid legal pitfalls and ensure their modernization efforts align with industry standards.

Preparing for the Future of Your Applications

Introducing AI into your modernization workflows offers benefits across your entire developmental ecosystem. From enhanced decision-making to cost savings and increased efficiency, AI allows for stronger application modernizations. Ultimately, injecting AI into modernization is about preparing for a stronger, more resilient future for your applications.  

Organizations cannot afford to rely on outdated legacy systems in today’s competitive business environment. Modernization is not just an option; it's a necessity for staying relevant and competitive. AI is critical in this transformation, offering tools and solutions that accelerate development, streamline integration, enhance security, and improve overall efficiency. 

Understanding and leveraging AI in modernization efforts can be a game-changer for business leaders such as CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, and application developers. By integrating AI into their strategies, they can ensure their organizations are well-positioned to thrive in the digital age. 
 
Insert an enticing call to action to get an organization to engage Redapt and revisit past projects that were stopped due to ROI objections. Here 

Understanding and leveraging AI in modernization efforts can be a game-changer for business leaders such as CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, and application developers. By integrating AI into their strategies, they can ensure their organizations are well-positioned to thrive in the digital age. 
 
Don't let outdated legacy systems prevent you from achieving your business goals. Redapt can help you harness the power of AI to modernize your applications and unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and efficiency. Contact us today, and let us show you how we can help you overcome the ROI objections that stopped your past projects and deliver the necessary solutions.