By Jason Roys
From switchboards and fax machines to artificial intelligence and cloud technologies, information technology is on the move. The federal government and private sectors are undertaking digital transformation to keep pace with changing mission requirements and consumer demands. The growth in remote work, increasing IT complexity and emerging cybersecurity risks make IT modernization in the government and private sector of paramount importance.
In 2017, the Federal Chief Information Officers Council, comprising CIOs from all United States government agencies, issued its IT Modernization Report in response to the Trump Administration’s Executive Order 13800. It “envisions a modern federal IT architecture where agencies are able to maximize secure use of cloud computing, modernize government-hosted applications and securely maintain legacy systems.” The Biden Administration followed up in 2021 with an EO that calls on the U.S. government IT community to deliver “a more simple, seamless and secure customer experience for the American public.”
We can all agree that IT modernization efforts are a good thing, but results can be elusive. The IT environment in large organizations often links legacy systems with modern apps, and they don't always play well together. This forces IT leaders and program managers to troubleshoot problems with legacy systems rather than accelerate innovation. A recent Logicalis Global CIO Survey says IT teams spend up to 60 percent of their time managing outdated systems.
This guide to IT modernization will focus on how it’s being applied in three important areas: big data analytics, artificial intelligence/machine learning and health IT.
WHAT IS IT MODERNIZATION?
IT modernization is the process of managing or moving away from legacy systems and forming consolidated systems and streamlined processes. The goal is to provide more automated, innovative solutions and a better customer experience. The impetus toward IT modernization has been around for years, but it gained new urgency during the pandemic when remote workers became the norm. IT infrastructure came under pressure because, more than ever before, it had to provide enhanced connectivity and minimize cybersecurity risks.
What do we mean by “legacy systems”? These are the aging software systems on which an organization built its core systems in the first place. Those core systems often date to when computer activity was in an organization’s own physical data center and supported internal processes. (Network modernization reorients the activity to the cloud and toward serving customers.) Even after its manufacturers stop supporting a legacy system, companies keep using it because they fear the risk of changing or simply do not invest in getting the architecture up to date due to cost and complexity. This technical debt is a problem that only gets worse over time.
Some experts in the field refer to legacy application modernization. Organizations can take new computing approaches, such as new languages and platforms, to update from end to end.
CLOUD AND HYBRID STRATEGIES
IT modernization also means embracing a cloud-first strategy. Much of the hardware and software is hosted by a third party and is scalable to business needs. Cloud-first strategy lowers equipment and maintenance costs, provides access to powerful systems with lower initial investments and increases speed of delivery for updated OS and bug fixes.
In reality, most businesses and agencies will operate in a hybrid environment, integrating cloud technologies with on-premises data centers. Operating systems and applications can be deployed on any part of this environment, depending on the business needs and requirements.
IT MODERNIZATION OR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION?
Digital transformation and IT modernization are often used interchangeably. Both can streamline processes, find new efficiencies and automate productivity.
However, digital transformation is about driving the evolution and creation of new business models while aligning business goals, people, processes, products and the culture of an organization. Modernization focuses on preparing infrastructure, technology and products to succeed in a fast-changing, digitally driven world.
MODERNIZING SKILLSETS, TOO
IT modernization is a generic term for modernizing legacy systems and adding new technologies, but it also means upgrading skillsets. An IT modernization project often entails applications, systems and migrations that require IT skills current staffers may not have. A great technological solution will not fulfill its promise if no one understands how to use it.
When contracting for digital transformation projects, agencies should include in their RFPs change management and user-adoption criteria and metrics. The right contractor will make IT modernization a win-win-win for the company, employees and customers. It is in the best interest of the agencies to interact with prospective contractors prior to releasing the RFP - ‘to the left of the RFP’ - to ensure proper scope, magnitude and complexity is considered.
BIG DATA ANALYTICS
Simply put, big data is larger, more complex data sets, especially from new data sources. IT modernization can help an organization implement advanced analytics to yield deeper insights into customers, products, processes and more.
The biggest benefit of data analytics is that it helps organizations stay ahead of the competition by making informed business decisions, so they can thrive in the rapidly evolving business and technological landscape.
But implementing these advanced analytics is a challenge. Many organizations have the data, but lack the technology, processes and people to make the most of it. It takes a sustained effort, too — which is another challenge. An experienced consulting firm can support this transformative journey.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING
Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables a machine to simulate human behavior. Examples of this include natural language processing and speech recognition. Machine learning (ML) is a subset of AI that enables a machine to automatically learn from data without being reprogrammed.
The main challenge of this area of IT modernization is the voracious appetite both AI and ML have for data. (See “big data” above!) Successfully implementing AI and ML strategies depends on an organization’s ability to harvest and analyze massive quantities of data.
But the benefits are many: automation, informed decision-making, enhanced customer experience, solving complex problems, streamlining repetitive tasks. In short, AI-based monitoring can free up capacity to focus on mission innovation.
Despite the clear benefits of this technology, organizations are slow to embrace AI and ML solutions. Reasons cited include budget, lack of talent, a need for large data sets, unclear strategy, and fear of the harm AI could potentially do. Contracting with a firm experienced in these areas gives an organization’s leaders the confidence they need to move ahead.
HEALTH IT (HIT)
Health information technology pertains to the digital systems that collect and organize health information. The need to modernize HIT systems became more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when U.S. health officials needed to quickly gather data from hospitals nationwide about COVID test results.
HIT modernization “requires a comprehensive, intentional, well-communicated and multidisciplinary approach,” according to a 2020 article in JAMA Network, but those approaches are challenged by financial constraints, limited staffing and unstable infrastructure. Yet, the risks posed by outdated HIT systems are significant:
Interoperability. Legacy systems may use different programming languages, communication protocols or architecture.
High maintenance costs. Vendor maintenance, labor and operational costs are required to keep legacy systems running.
Cybersecurity risks. Legacy hardware may not be compatible with newer versions of operating systems that may have security patches. These open cracks for hackers to exploit patients’ sensitive information.
Regulatory compliance. Regulations regarding patient data are becoming more rigorous. Data breaches can mean millions in penalties.
THE SDV INTERNATIONAL APPROACH
Since 2008, SDV INTERNATIONAL has compiled an extensive track record of modernizing older legacy information systems and providing end-to-end science and technology solutions for today’s most challenging technology problems. It has more than 14 years of successful performance in DevSecOps, business transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics and health IT.
SDV INTERNATIONAL documents processes and rules and designs new approaches for the desired modernized system. In the most common scenario for customers that seek modernization, SDV INTERNATIONAL provides DevOps solutions that align development, QA and IT operations efforts to facilitate rapid quality improvement through continuous integration and development.
With its name representing “Solutions, Dedication and Values,” SDV INTERNATIONAL prides itself on its ability to provide customers with what they need in real time.