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Reframing legacy tech for modern Government challenges
In today's digital landscape, governments worldwide face similar tasks to modernise their legacy systems whilst maintaining critical services. The idea of a "Smarter State" promises enhanced efficiency, improved service delivery, and better citizen engagement. However, this isn’t without its challenges and costs.
Public sector organisations often find themselves at a crossroads. Their legacy systems, though often reliable, are becoming increasingly inflexible and costly to maintain. These decades-old systems form the backbone of critical services yet struggle to keep pace with modern demands such as interoperability with modern platforms and user-centred design.
Take, for instance, systems like Gen (formerly CA Gen and COOL:Gen), which continue to power core functions in many large organisations. While they've done a fantastic job, they are now ripe for innovation, with replacement technologies offering increased flexibility, more effective integration, and shorter time-to-market for new features. This is a particular specialisation for Jumar, and we have seen first-hand the power of a well-executed modernisation programme in many organisations.
To tackle these challenges, we don’t have to go too far from the classic 5R model: Rehost, Refactor, Rearchitect, Rebuild, and Replace. Each strategy offers a specific approach to reframing legacy tech for modern government needs:
- Rehost: Often called "lift and shift", this involves moving applications from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud or alternative hosting with minimal changes. It's a quick win for government departments, reducing hardware costs and improving scalability without significant risk.
- Refactor: This approach optimises existing code to better fit a cloud environment. It allows teams to improve performance and efficiency of legacy applications without a complete overhaul.
- Rearchitect: Here, the application undergoes significant alterations to fully leverage cloud-native features. This can help government agencies create more scalable and resilient services, better equipped to handle peak loads during critical times.
- Rebuild: In some cases, rewriting applications from scratch using modern development approaches is necessary. While resource-intensive, this can result in highly optimised, cloud-native applications that fully leverage modern technologies like IoT and machine learning.
- Replace: Sometimes, the best option is to sunset legacy applications and replace them with modern SaaS solutions. This can be particularly effective for standardised processes like HR or finance management which are too often seen as “specialised” where in fact little specialism exists.
These options are not without cost and risk – nobody would undertake them lightly. We should consider the opportunities for improvement that come with these investments.
- Enhanced Security: Modernisation efforts can significantly bolster cybersecurity postures, addressing one of the most pressing concerns for government agencies.
- Data-Driven Insights: Unlocking data from siloed legacy systems can foster better collaboration between departments and derive valuable insights to inform policy-making.
- Improved Citizen Experiences: Modern, user-centric design principles can create more accessible and efficient digital services for citizens.
- Workforce Empowerment: New technologies can attract talent, accelerate skill development, and enable more flexible work models, helping to engage and retain valuable employees where institutional knowledge is key.
- Operational Efficiency: Automation and AI can streamline processes, allowing government employees to focus on higher-value tasks that require human judgment and creativity.
Modernising legacy technology in government isn't merely about updating systems; it's about reimagining how public services are delivered in the digital age. By applying the 5R model thoughtfully, governments can create a robust digital foundation that propels their organisations into the future.
The journey to a "Smarter State" demands a strategic approach that balances the need for innovation with the imperative of maintaining critical services. It requires an unwavering commitment to security, privacy, and trust, ensuring that citizens' data is protected as services become increasingly digital.
By reframing legacy technology challenges as opportunities for innovation, governments can build a stronger, more resilient, and more responsive public sector. The road ahead may be complex, but the potential rewards – in terms of improved services, increased efficiency, and better outcomes for taxpayers – make it a journey worth undertaking.
With deep expertise in transformation and a track record of delivering successful modernisation programmes, Jumar is uniquely positioned to guide public sector organisations through the challenges and ensure a smooth transition to a more agile, secure, and efficient future. Whether you're looking to rehost, refactor, or completely reimagine your legacy systems, Jumar offers the strategic insight and technical know-how to make your modernisation journey a success. Contact us to learn how we can support your legacy modernisation initiatives and help you build the foundation for a smarter state: www.jumar.co.uk/contact-us/
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
Annie Collings
Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
Austin Earl
Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within Education and EdTech.
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.
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