How to Migrate a Legacy Database to a Modern System

Managing data stored in old databases can be costly and challenging. These legacy databases often perform incorrectly and don’t scale to proper levels. Additionally, data is often disorganized and siloed. As a result, businesses can’t work with it. 

To overcome these challenges legacy app migration to a modern database can be the answer. It can improve data accessibility, security, and overall system efficiency. In this article, we explore the details.

What is Legacy Database Migration?

When you transfer data and business logic from an outdated system to a modern one, you perform migration. Businesses leave older databases like Paradox, dBase, or older versions of Oracle. Instead, they move to newer cloud-based and scalable databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL. 

What is the difference between legacy database migration and data integration? 

We’ve established that legacy database migration is moving from one system to another. But data integration combines data from many sources into one space. The purposes of these processes are slightly different.

Legacy data migration modernizes performance and security because it replaces the old system with a new one. And data integration enables seamless access to data across different systems. The process doesn’t necessarily mean replacing those systems. After the database migration, the old system is usually retired, while integration allows many systems to work together. 

When Should You Perform a Legacy Database Migration?

When a business’s existing system shows many errors, it might be time to migrate. One of the scenarios is when the database doesn’t handle increasing workloads well. The responses become slow, and the system often has outages. Lack of scalability influences the user experience and business operations.  

The legacy database might not have modern security features. So it becomes vulnerable to cyber threats. Also, regulatory requirements demand encryption and safety features that the old system can’t support. 

If the business wants to move to cloud infrastructure, it should consider migration, too. Legacy databases don’t integrate well with modern cloud services like AWS and Azure. 

Why Consider Legacy Data Migration?

Here’s the list of reasons to consider legacy system migration:

To Improve Performance & Scalability

Legacy databases struggle to handle data volumes. The system response is slower, and the bottlenecks occur more often. In this case, modern databases can provide faster processing. They are better at indexing and scalability, which helps to handle increasing workloads. 

To Enhance Security & Compliance

As we established above, legacy systems don’t have the advanced security features that they should have for compliance. Outdated systems are more vulnerable to breaches and, consequently, data leaks. 

Integrate encryption, role-based access control or other functionalities. These measures help against cyber threats. 

To Reduce Costs

When you have legacy database systems, you might spend too many resources on maintaining them. This happens because of hardware dependencies, licensing fees, and specialized IT staff. 

However, modern cloud-based solutions usually offer cost-effective and pay-as-you-grow pricing models. This helps businesses save costs by paying only for those resources they use.

To Integrate with Modern Technologies

Integrations help businesses avoid creating every functionality from scratch. But legacy database systems often lack APIs and compatibility to be integrated with modern applications. Due to that, they can’t integrate with cloud services, AI, or automation tools.

Migrating data helps businesses extend their functionality. After the app is modernized, it can be integrated with CRM, ERP, and analytics platforms. 

To Future-Proof IT Infrastructure

As technology evolves, modern databases provide better support, continuous updates, and active development. When companies opt for modern databases, they can stay ahead of industry trends. 

A Database Migration Plan 

To ensure a smooth transition from a legacy database system to a modern one, you need a plan. Always start with planning. A good plan helps avoid many problems that might occur. Consider the following steps:

Step 1 – Creating a Legacy Data Migration Strategy

At this step, it is important to analyze the existing database. You need to identify its structure, dependencies, and potential risks. Also, set migration goals. Why does the application need to be migrated? To enhance performance? To improve security? Or cut costs?

Choosing a migration approach is essential, too. Which will suit your business?

• Big Bang Migration – a one-time and full data transfer. 
• Phased Migration – gradual migration in batches. 
• Parallel Migration – running both old and new systems simultaneously before full transition. 

And finally, select migration tools. Are you going to use AWS DMS, Azure Database Migration Service, Flyway, or Liquibase? 

Step 2 – Making a Data Backup

Don’t forget to perform a full backup of the legacy database to prevent data loss. And think about what you are going to do if migration issues arise. 

Step 3 – Preparing the Target Environment 

Install and configure the target database management system (DBMS). For performance improvements, adjust scheme design, indexing, and storage settings. Further, ensure compatibility by mapping data types and table structures between the old and new systems. 

Configuring security settings is also critical. Measures like access controls and encryption can be helpful. 

Step 4 – Testing the Data Migration

When everything is ready, run a test migration before launching a full-scale execution. This can help uncover hidden issues in a testing environment. 

Then, validate data integrity, as missing records can disrupt business operations. Also, at this stage, it is important to test application compatibility. It might fail to read or write data in case the new schema alters field names, data types, and others. 

And check for schema mismatches. Schema errors limit database scalability or optimization. 

Step 5 – Migrating the Data

As you laid the groundwork and finished all the tests, you can proceed to execution. Using the chosen tools and methods, migrate your application. But track the process to identify failures and address them in time. 

Step 6 – Monitoring the System after the Migration

After the migration is complete, watch the database performance. It is essential to ensure that it is operating correctly. Track query execution times, CPU usage, and memory consumption. Try to identify missing data or find permission errors, even broken dependencies. 

Also, optimization should be continuous so that it shows the correct performance. 

Challenges of Legacy Data Migration

Migrating data from a legacy database to a modern system can be complex and risky. It can come with the following issues:

• Compatibility. Outdated systems often use outdated data formats, schemas or structures. They may not be compatible with modern systems. For this reason, a detailed data mapping before migration can help the process. 
• Data Integrity. Legacy systems can have duplicates or incomplete data. To avoid this, conduct a data audit before migration and clean up redundant records. 
• Business Disruption. Some migration methods need systems to be offline. This might cause some operational delays. And using a phased migration or parallel run might help cut downtime. 
• Performance Bottlenecks. Large-scale migrations can overwhelm systems. So, this leads to slow transfer speeds and failures. To deal with it, compress large datasets and schedule migrations during off-peak periods. 
• Security and Compliance Risks. Ensure you use proper security measures (encryption or access controls). Moving sensitive data without them can result in breaches or compliance violations. 
• Lack of Expertise and Documentation. Often, systems written in old code are poorly documented. And only a limited number of employees can know them. 

Migrate Your Legacy Database with Softacom

If you want to improve the performance and security of your software, migrating a legacy database can be a critical step. At Softacom, we specialize in seamless database migration. We ensure data integrity and full compatibility with modern systems. Reach out to us today.