Modernize Legacy Databases
SQL Server 2008. Oracle 11g. AS/400. Access databases. We migrate aging systems to modern platforms without disrupting your business or losing data.
The Cost of Staying on Legacy
Every year you wait, these risks compound.
End of Support
No security patches. Known vulnerabilities remain unpatched. Compliance auditors flag it.
Talent Shortage
Fewer engineers know COBOL, FoxPro, or Oracle Forms. Finding help gets harder every year.
Integration Barriers
Modern tools expect REST APIs and JSON. Legacy systems speak ODBC and fixed-width files.
Hardware Dependency
Running on hardware you can't replace. One disk failure away from disaster.
How We Assess Legacy Systems
Before we touch anything, we understand exactly what we're working with.
System Inventory
We document every table, stored procedure, integration point, and dependency. No surprises later.
- Complete schema documentation
- Dependency map
- Data volume analysis
- Integration inventory
Complexity Scoring
Each component gets a migration complexity score. We identify the hard parts upfront.
- Risk assessment matrix
- Complexity scoring
- Technical debt catalog
- Skill gap analysis
Migration Roadmap
Phased approach that minimizes risk. We don't try to boil the ocean.
- Migration sequence
- Timeline estimates
- Resource requirements
- Rollback procedures
Proof of Concept
Before committing, we migrate a representative subset and validate the approach.
- POC environment
- Performance benchmarks
- Issue log
- Go/no-go recommendation
Common Legacy Migration Paths
SQL Server 2008/2012
End of Extended SupportTarget options: Azure SQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server 2022
Version upgrade or platform shift
Oracle 11g/12c
Limited SupportTarget options: PostgreSQL, Oracle 19c/21c, Cloud SQL
Compatibility assessment, PL/SQL conversion
AS/400 / DB2 for i
Often decades oldTarget options: PostgreSQL, Cloud SQL, Modern DB2
RPG program extraction, gradual decomposition
Access / FoxPro
UnsupportedTarget options: PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Cloud databases
Full rebuild with proper architecture
MySQL 5.x
Security-only patchesTarget options: MySQL 8.0, PostgreSQL, Cloud SQL
Version upgrade or migration
Migration Strategies
Different situations call for different approaches.
Lift and Shift
Low RiskMove to newer version of same platform. Minimal code changes, fastest path.
Best for: When platform is fine, just version is old
Re-platform
Medium RiskMove to different database platform. Requires SQL dialect conversion.
Best for: Cost reduction, vendor lock-in escape
Refactor
Medium-High RiskRedesign data model and access patterns during migration.
Best for: Technical debt reduction, performance issues
Strangler Fig
Low (but longer) RiskGradually route traffic to new system. Old and new coexist.
Best for: Risk-averse environments, large systems
Legacy Modernization Questions
Yes, using Change Data Capture (CDC). We replicate data to the new system in real-time while the old system keeps running. When validation passes, we switch traffic. If anything goes wrong, we switch back instantly. Your users don't experience downtime.
Ready to Modernize?
Get a free legacy assessment. We'll document your current system, identify risks, and create a modernization roadmap - no obligation.
100% Free Consultation • No Commitment Required