⏱ 5 minutes to read
For many large organisations, legacy systems still power the core of daily operations. But as technology evolves and the pressure to be more agile grows, those systems can shift from being helpful to becoming a real liability. They start locking in data, slowing down innovation, and quietly driving up costs.
At Nodero, we’re seeing more and more leaders coming to us with the same question: “How do we move on from our legacy systems without turning everything upside down?” It’s a good question and one we’ve helped answer through modernisation projects across multiple sectors.
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Eddie Easton, Head of Development at Nodero shares real stories and advice to help tech leaders modernise with confidence
When Eddie Easton, our Head of Development, was asked what really makes legacy systems so problematic, he didn’t hesitate.
“These systems often become a risk the moment they rely too heavily on one person,” he said. “Usually, it’s someone who built the app internally years ago. They know it inside and out, but if they leave, the business is left exposed.”
That’s just the beginning. Many of these systems don’t scale. What worked for a small team of ten often struggles when it's made available to an organisation of two hundred.
Then there’s the issue of data. As Eddie puts it, “So much of an organisation’s value is in its data, but in these old systems, that data is often locked away and inaccessible to the wider business.”
And finally, there’s security. “Some of these apps were built at a time when security wasn’t front of mind. These days, that’s not good enough. If you’re not meeting modern compliance and access standards, you’re taking a risk.”
When asked what modernisation actually looks like in practice, Eddie pointed to two recent projects.
The first involved a leading academic institution that had built a to manage internal processes. “It worked well enough at first,” Eddie explained. “But over time, it got overloaded with data and users and because it lived on a shared drive, only people on the internal network could access it. That just wasn’t sustainable or in step with future plans.”
Nodero helped them rebuild the app as a web-based solution with secure logins, making it accessible to both internal users and approved external partners. The new system is now faster, easier to maintain, and growing with the institution.
The second example came from a local government, where a desktop app was used to manage critical data in the waste division. “The app was literally sitting on a PC in a side office. Valuable data was being collected, but no one else could access it,” Eddie said.
After modernisation, that same data is now hosted in the cloud and is available across teams. On top of that, the interface is redesigned to be far more intuitive, making it easier for new staff to learn and use effectively.
Nodero helped a leading academic institution build a web-based solution with secure logins, making it accessible to both internal users and approved external partners. The new system is now faster, easier to maintain, and growing with the institution.
Modernisation isn’t just about rewriting old code. It’s about asking how your business should run, not just how it does.
For Eddie, one of the biggest benefits is unlocking data. When data becomes accessible, it can drive insights, support analytics, and even power AI initiatives down the line.
Modernised systems also simplify workflows. “We see a lot of workarounds in legacy apps,” Eddie said. “People bend the process to fit the system. A new system lets the process drive the tech, not the other way around.”
And with modern infrastructure, collaboration has become easier. Teams get secure access from wherever they are. No more needing to be on-site or logged into a specific server.
That said, Eddie is clear that modernisation needs purpose. “If your legacy app still supports your business and doesn’t pose a risk or block opportunity, you might not need to change it. But when those things shift, that’s when it’s time to modernise.”
So, how should tech leaders approach a modernisation project? Eddie shared a few lessons he’s learned time and again.
1. Engage stakeholders early
Bring your stakeholders in early. You need input from the people using the system day-to-day. Their perspective is crucial.
2. Avoid a ‘like-for-like’ rebuild
If you’re just rebuilding the same thing in a new framework, you’re missing the point. Modernisation is your chance to rethink what’s possible.
3. Understanding your system’s ecosystem.
Many legacy apps are connected to other systems or processes. You need a clear picture of that before you start rebuilding anything.
4. Plan your data migration carefully
Old systems include old data. Migrating it isn’t just technical, it’s strategic. You need a plan for cleaning and transforming that data to fit your new platform.
5. Don’t chase trends
It’s tempting to jump on a trend like AI. But before you do, ask yourself “What is the problem we are trying to solve?” You need the solution to guide the technology you use, and not let the technology guide the solution.
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Nodero partners with tech leaders to build custom software applications and support their delivery with project management, business analysis, and testing.
When it comes down to it, Eddie sees modernisation as a strategic enabler, not just a technical task. It’s how organisations unlock their data, improve agility, and build systems that actually support where they’re going next.
If your current tools are starting to hold you back or if you’re ready to create something that’s future-ready, then maybe it’s time for a chat.
Want to talk about your legacy systems?
At Nodero, we work with organisations to modernise the platforms that matter most. We’d love to help you take the next step.
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