Many businesses rely on legacy software that once served them well—but now holds them back. These outdated systems are often slow, inflexible, costly to maintain, and poorly integrated with modern tools. Yet, despite their limitations, the thought of replacing legacy software is often met with hesitation. Why? Because it's seen as complex, expensive, and risky. But with the right strategy and support, saying goodbye to legacy software doesn’t have to be a nightmare—it can be a major step forward.
What is Legacy Software Replacement?
Legacy software replacement refers to the process of phasing out outdated, unsupported, or inefficient systems in favour of modern, scalable, cloud-based or low-code platforms like SAP S/4HANA, Mendix, or Teamcenter. The goal is to enhance agility, integration, performance, and long-term value.
Rather than simply rebuilding old functionality, legacy system replacement focuses on aligning your technology stack with current and future business needs—while enabling innovation, data-driven decisions, and cross-functional collaboration.
Who needs to replace legacy systems?
Organisations across industries—including manufacturing, logistics, engineering, and utilities—face common legacy challenges:
- Inflexible platforms that don’t support modern business models
- High maintenance costs and reliance on a shrinking pool of legacy IT experts
- Lack of integration with other systems (ERP, MES, CRM, PLM)
- Security risks and compliance gaps
- Poor user experience, mobility, and scalability
If any of these sound familiar, it's time to start planning your legacy exit strategy.
When should you start planning your legacy software replacement?
Waiting too long increases the risks of:
- Rising operational costs
- Data loss or unplanned outages
- Inability to scale or respond to market demands
- Compliance issues (e.g. GDPR, ISO 27001)
- Missed opportunities to innovate
You should act now if your systems are nearing end-of-life, your users are complaining about inefficiencies, or your business is preparing for a digital transformation, merger, or expansion.
Where does legacy software impact your business the most?
Legacy systems often create bottlenecks in:
- Finance and ERP workflows
- Product development and lifecycle management
- Manufacturing and shopfloor execution
- Reporting and analytics
- Customer and supplier interactions
Modern platforms like Mendix allow you to rebuild and improve core processes through low-code applications, while tools like Teamcenter and Opcenter ensure a connected digital thread across the product lifecycle.
Why do companies overestimate the complexity of legacy replacement?
Legacy replacement can feel overwhelming—but with the right methodology, it becomes manageable:
- You don’t have to replace everything at once – phased migration strategies reduce risk.
- Preconfigured industry solutions (like Emixa PreFab) reduce project scope and cost.
- Low-code tools allow for rapid prototyping and iterative development.
- Cloud-native architectures simplify maintenance and scalability.
- Strong change management ensures teams stay aligned and engaged.
Emixa helps organisations build a clear roadmap tailored to their business and tech landscape—breaking large projects into achievable milestones.
What does success look like when replacing legacy software?
With Emixa and our Siemens Xcelerator expertise, clients achieve:
- Faster workflows and reduced IT bottlenecks
- Improved data accuracy and accessibility
- Stronger integration across departments and tools
- Reduced support and maintenance costs
- A platform for innovation—from AI and IoT to digital twins and automation
For example, a manufacturer modernising their outdated ERP and PLM systems was able to reduce process time by 30% and enable real-time decision-making across sites—without a complete system shutdown.
Conclusion
Replacing legacy software may seem daunting—but with the right tools, partners, and strategy, it’s an opportunity to increase agility, reduce risk, and lay the foundation for innovation.
At Emixa, we specialise in guiding companies through this transition—helping you modernise your tech stack and unlock the true potential of digital transformation.
