Legacy Database Migration

Understanding Legacy Databases

Believe it or not, a surprising number of companies today still use databases that were created as far as the eighties.

These legacy databases often remain in use because they hold a companies valuable historical data, support critical business functions and are essentially the 'norm' for that business. Some companies have made small adjustments, added new features or integrated them with modern tools, but the core technology behind these databases is outdated. Whilst they may still function (for now), these older systems come with increasing risks - security vulnerabilities, performance issues and compatibility challenges with newer software to name but a few. It is common for organisations to take a 'if it's not broken, why fix it' approach but this can very quickly land them in hot water and cause severe consequences should these databases at some point inevitably 'break'.

What Is a Legacy Database?

When we talk about a legacy database here at Cool Code Company, we are referring to offline file based systems that are still in use despite being created with old technology such as Excel, CSV, Access and FoxPro.

These databases usually lack automatic updates, up to date security protocols and compatibility with modern applications, making them inefficient and incredibly risky to maintain. Some common types of file based databases include -

Microsoft Excel – While Excel is still used by many companies (and rightly so, because it certainly has it's place), it was not designed to function as a fully fledged database and lacks the flexibility, scalability and security of modern database systems.

CSV Files – CSV files in another time, were a popular format for storing data. Sadly, they are now largely obsolete for managing large or complex datasets and their lack of structure makes them prone to errors and inefficiencies.

Microsoft Access Databases – Once a popular choice for small scale database management, Access (and its underlying engine) can struggle with larger datasets and lacks updates or support which can inevitably lead to security and performance issues. These problems become particularly prevalent as businesses grow as Access lacks the means the grow with them.

FoxPro – FoxPro was once upon a time, very popular indeed as a database tool. However, it is now outdated and unsupported with businesses that continue to rely on it often facing difficulties integrating it with modern systems.

Modern Alternatives to Legacy Databases

Migrating away from outdated systems gives businesses access to faster, more secure and more efficient database solutions. Some of the best modern alternatives include -

Cloud Databases

Cloud based solutions allow businesses to scale as they evolve without causing performance issues, are incredibly reliable and offer automatic updates covering security and performance with inclusive disaster recovery and backup. They ensure data is stored securely and accessed easily from anywhere. Businesses essentially 'rent' these databases and they're a good option for those who already use cloud based services. The top cloud database platforms include -

Microsoft Azure SQL Database

Amazon RDS

Google Cloud Spanner

Non Cloud Databases

For businesses that prefer on-prem or are not yet using cloud technology, modern relational databases are a solid alternative to offline file based systems in that they are flexible, scalable and have built in recovery mechanisms. They can also be integrated with other business systems and provide multi user access effectively. Some of the top non cloud database solutions include -

PostgreSQL

MySQL

SQL Server

Data Warehousing

For companies who need to manage and analyse signifcant volumes of data, data warehousing solutions are a better option. These platforms are designed to store and process massive amounts of data, offering businesses the ability to conduct analytics they would otherwise struggle with due to the sheer amount of data they have to work with. Leading data warehousing platforms include -

• Snowflake
• Google BigQuery
• Amazon Redshift

Risks of Not Migrating Your Legacy Database

Holding on to outdated database systems may well be the easier option for the time being but it comes with serious risks -

• Security Vulnerabilities – Older databases no longer receive security updates making them prime targets for cyberattacks and data breaches. They lack encryption and offer weak security mechanisms such as password protection which is nowhere near effective as it once was.
• Compatibility Issues – Legacy databases are difficult if not impossible to integrate with newer software. They simply don't have effective capabilities to do so which can often mean workarounds.
• Performance Decline – Outdated systems struggle to handle the data volumes companies deal with as standard these days which of course causes slow response times and reduced productivity.
• High Maintenance Costs – Supporting an old file based system often requires expensive custom fixes, IT support and legacy hardware that is hard to replace.
• Regulatory Issues – Many clients require their suppliers to use up to date, secure systems to comply with data protection and cyber protection laws.
• Risk of Total Failure – The worst case scenario can and does happen - the legacy system crashes and the business looses access to critical business data with no easy way to recover it.

Benefits of Migrating to a Modern Database

Migrating legacy database doesn’t just eliminate risks – it opens up many new possibilities -

• Improved Security – Modern databases offer built in encryption, automated backups and frequent security updates.
• Better Performance – Faster data processing and response times
• Scalability – As businesses grows, modern database solutions can scale to handle increased data volumes.
• Integration Capabilities – Modern databases generally have good integration capabilities making it easier to connect different business systems.
• Lower Costs – The high costs associated with keeping a file based database system functional and secure are vastly reduced.
• Automated Updates & Maintenance – No more manual security patches or software updates – modern databases handle this automatically.

How We Can Help

At Cool Code Company, we have extensive experience in working with offline file based systems - we used them once too after all! Through this, we understand the challenges involved in moving to more modern alternatives and have experienced first hand some of the problems that can be caused by not doing so. We also have clients who have opted to retain these systems and provide tailored support to ensure they remain in working order and as secure as possible. Whatever your situation, we'll work with you to find the best solution.