Is It Time To Change Your Legacy Tech?

For many, deciding to upgrade or change your familiar legacy tech stack can be a hard pill to swallow. The hesitation is natural; who would want to change the technology they have worked with and relied on for years?

Legacy tech becomes that way because of its proven uses and returns on investment. No one would hold onto a tech stack just out of sheer stubbornness; there has to be some use case. But, as we know, the technological landscape of talent acquisition is ushering in new tools rapidly. These tools are on the cutting edge and offer in-depth and sometimes never-before utilized data.

Whether you’ve analyzed your legacy tech within the last 6 months or haven’t taken a second look at it since the mid-80s — it’s imperative that you evaluate the tools you have in your arsenal and how they’re working for you.

We’ve compiled a list of telling questions that can guide you to the right answer for your organization: should you be updating your legacy tech? Is it time for a revamp? Answer these questions to find out where you stand.

1. Does it perform at the level you need it to?

First things first, are the tools in your legacy tech stack performing at the capacity your organization needs? This seems like a pretty obvious question to ask when evaluating your tech stack, but it’s often one of the most overlooked details.

When was the last time you evaluated your #LegacyTech stack? Answer these questions to find out if it’s time to revamp your approach: Click To Tweet

After you’ve adopted a specific technology, odds are the level on which you need it to perform will increase. Has your organization encountered an uptick in business or functions in recent years? If so, it’s probably time to change your legacy tech stack.

2. Is it easy to use/easy to train people on?

You’ve probably heard the sentiment: a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. In the same vein, your technology is only as good as its weakest user. If you end up spending more time trying to familiarize yourself with the intricacies of a program than actually using it to its full potential, then you have a problem. 

Another thing you want to keep in mind is the time-to-productivity rate, or how long it takes new users to be up to speed with using the technology. If you are envisioning your legacy tech stack and getting a headache just imagining training new users on your programs, you might want to consider updating.

3. Is it compatible with your other tech?

Think about the most important programs in your tech stack, do they offer any integrations? With the constant influx of new technologies, there are so many more options on the market now that do offer the ability to communicate and collaborate across different platforms. 

If you haven’t closely analyzed the pros and cons of your current tech stack recently, there’s a good chance there’s a solution waiting for you on the market today. Compatibility and centralization can optimize the data gathering process and gives you actionable results.

Whether you’ve analyzed your #LegacyTech within the last 6 months or haven’t taken a second look at it since the mid-80s, answer the following questions to see if it’s time to revamp your tech stack: Click To Tweet

4. Does it meet your security and privacy needs?

It’s no secret that security is a hot topic in the tech community, now and for the foreseeable future. If you are relying on an older program that is not familiar with the ins and outs of today’s security risks and compliance requirements, then you’re opening yourself up to unnecessary risks and threats.

It’s 2022, and needless to say, there is technology available that offers higher security, heightened privacy, and combats problems we might not have encountered even a handful of years ago. If your legacy tech stack does not measure up in the security category as much as it did when you implemented it, it’s time to revisit and revamp your tech stack.

5. Are you receiving the data and insights you need?

Newer technologies can offer more in-depth analysis and actionable data that would greatly benefit your business. Take inventory of the data and reports you get from your current stack. Is it comprehensive? 

Does it just cover the bases or does it provide valuable insights that would otherwise be undiscovered? In today’s environment, organizations need access to real-time, insightful data to make quick, informed decisions. If you are used to covering the bases and want to see the products available to change your data game, it’s time to take another look at your legacy tech.

6. Are you willing to continue burning money to retain your familiar stack?

This sounds a bit harsh, but at the end of the day, it’s true. The valuable time and money used to maintain your subpar legacy tech stack is not something businesses are typically okay with. You are already investing in the platforms, you might as well get your money’s worth.

It would be ideal to keep the same familiar tech stack forever, but that does not take into account how the world of technology is constantly evolving. You don’t just save time and money by evaluating and upgrading your legacy tech, you arm yourself and your team with brand-new tools customized to your needs.

For more information about how TTL can advise you on which tools and technologies will work best for you, reach out to us today.