As organisations evolve and grow, it’s common to inherit and maintain a multitude of IT systems. While these may have served well in the past, relying on outdated technology can pose serious compliance and security risks, as well as create costly inefficiencies.
Here, we outline five reasons to prioritise IT infrastructure modernisation by decommissioning legacy systems in favour of centralised, modern solutions:
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Simplify Your Data Management
Legacy systems create challenges in accessing and managing data. Research shows that 39% of organisations maintain at least two legacy interaction recording systems in addition to their primary platform, making it harder to locate recordings when needed. When these systems lack compatibility or a centralised management interface, tracking data becomes a time-consuming task.
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High Costs of Maintaining Legacy Systems
Running multiple systems comes with significant costs. 44% of organisations report that at least one of their legacy systems is end-of-life or unsupported, resulting in higher expenses for specialised maintenance and server storage. With legacy systems requiring frequent attention and updates that can be difficult to source, the costs of maintaining legacy systems quickly add up. Decommissioning these outdated platforms and consolidating onto a modern cloud-based solution significantly reduces these overheads.
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Continuous Training on Unsupported Systems
Unsupported systems demand continual training, as newer staff are often unfamiliar with the legacy technology. This cycle of training is costly, inefficient, and diverts resources from other business-critical tasks. Training employees on systems that are no longer vendor-supported is a short-term fix to a long-term problem. Instead, by consolidating onto a single, modern platform, you eliminate the need for constant retraining on outdated technology.
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Increased Data Security Risks
Legacy systems often lack the latest security updates, making them more vulnerable to breaches. Data on end-of-life platforms is at a high risk of being compromised, especially in the event of an attempted cyberattack. When security cannot be guaranteed, businesses expose themselves to potential data breaches and reputational damage.
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Communications Compliance and Regulatory Risks
For organisations operating in regulated industries, maintaining communications compliance is non-negotiable. Using multiple, unsupported systems complicates this goal, especially when required to retrieve specific recordings for audits. Statistics indicate that 26% of organisations have been asked to provide interaction recordings to regulators in the past 6-12 months, underscoring the importance of having accessible systems. By decommissioning legacy systems and moving to a unified platform, organisations enhance their ability to meet compliance standards without risking financial penalties.
Ultimately, decommissioning legacy systems brings more than just reduced costs; it streamlines workflows, strengthens security, and ensures regulatory compliance. With IT infrastructure modernisation, organisations are better equipped to manage their data securely and efficiently.
To learn how Wordwatch can help your organisation in decommissioning legacy systems and enhance your compliance readiness, contact the team today.
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FAQ: Decommissioning Legacy Systems
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What are legacy systems, and why should they be decommissioned?
Legacy systems are outdated IT systems or software that, while functional, may no longer receive vendor support or security updates. These systems often rely on older technology or operating systems, and therefore can be costly to maintain, especially when newer systems offer more efficient, secure, and integrated capabilities. Decommissioning legacy systems is crucial to avoid the risks associated with unsupported technology, including potential security vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and the high cost of upkeep.
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How can decommissioning legacy systems improve overall business efficiency?
By retiring outdated systems, organisations eliminate redundant technology, reducing the resources required for maintenance, training, and data management. Modern cloud-based systems are designed to be more efficient, streamlined, and user-friendly, enabling employees to work more productively and freeing-up IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than troubleshooting old technology. Consolidating data onto a single, modern platform also speeds up data retrieval and simplifies workflows.
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How does modernising IT infrastructure impact data security and compliance?
Modern IT infrastructure includes advanced security features and is regularly updated to protect against the latest cyber threats. For example, by upgrading from legacy systems, organisations can better secure sensitive customer data and ensure compliance with current regulations, such as GDPR or industry-specific mandates. Modern systems also provide automated compliance tools, making it easier to meet regulatory requirements and avoid potential fines or penalties.
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What steps are involved in the process of decommissioning legacy systems?
The process of decommissioning legacy systems typically involves:
- Assessment: evaluate which systems are outdated, unsupported, or redundant and identify their specific functions within the organisation.
- Data Migration: plan and execute the migration of essential data to a modern system, ensuring data integrity and compliance requirements are maintained.
- Testing and Validation: verify that all migrated data is accurate, secure, and accessible within the new system.
- Employee Training: provide training for staff to familiarise them with the new platform, improving user adoption.
- System Shutdown: securely archive or dispose of the legacy system’s data and infrastructure, ensuring no sensitive information is left unprotected.