Replatforming

Definition

Replatforming refers to the process of migrating an application or system to a new platform with minimal changes to its architecture. This approach allows organizations to take advantage of cloud capabilities while retaining most of the original application's code and functionalities. It is often chosen as a balance between cost, speed, and effort when moving applications to the cloud.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Replatforming typically involves updating certain components of an application to better utilize cloud services while keeping most of the original code intact.
2. This strategy is generally less costly than complete refactoring or rebuilding but can provide improved performance and scalability compared to lift-and-shift migrations.
3. Organizations might choose replatforming to enhance the user experience by leveraging cloud-native features such as automated scaling or enhanced security.
4. Replatforming can also involve moving to a managed service or platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering that simplifies operations and reduces management overhead.
5. Successful replatforming requires careful planning and testing to ensure that the application performs optimally in its new environment without introducing significant issues.

Review Questions

• How does replatforming differ from lift-and-shift migrations, and what are the potential benefits of choosing replatforming?
  • Replatforming differs from lift-and-shift migrations in that it involves making some updates to the application to better align with cloud capabilities, while lift-and-shift simply moves the application as-is. The benefits of replatforming include improved performance, better utilization of cloud features, and potentially lower long-term costs since it can lead to more efficient operations compared to just moving everything without changes.
• Discuss the challenges organizations may face when implementing a replatforming strategy and how they can address these challenges.
  • Organizations implementing a replatforming strategy may face challenges such as ensuring compatibility with existing code, managing dependencies, and training staff on new technologies. To address these challenges, organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their applications, invest in staff training, and adopt agile methodologies that allow for iterative testing and deployment during the replatforming process.
• Evaluate the role of replatforming in an organization's broader cloud migration strategy and its impact on future scalability and agility.
  • Replatforming plays a crucial role in an organization's broader cloud migration strategy by enabling a balanced approach between maintaining legacy systems and embracing modern cloud capabilities. By strategically updating applications during migration, organizations can improve scalability and agility, allowing them to quickly adapt to changing business needs. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also prepares organizations for future advancements in cloud technology, paving the way for more innovative solutions.

Related terms

Lift-and-Shift: A cloud migration strategy where applications are moved to the cloud without any modifications, maintaining their existing architecture and dependencies.

Refactoring:

The process of restructuring existing code without changing its external behavior, often used to optimize applications for cloud environments.

Cloud-Native Applications: Applications specifically designed to take full advantage of cloud computing technologies, often built with microservices and containerization in mind.