In the current market decision makers have little choice but to adapt their IT systems or risk having their businesses fall by the way side.  Experts in open source software believe the solutions to upgrade from legacy and develop the necessary architectures is there – and so too is the required support, expertise and services.

At a recent OSS technology and application development seminar, hosted by local open source software supplier Obsidian Systems in Johannesburg on 25 March, experts explained the need to modernise IT systems, secure the necessary ‘buy-in’ and why ‘DevOps’ has become relevant.

Modernising legacy systems means having to invest time, cost and effort in taking a long, hard look at existing applications says Grant Finnemore, CEO of GuruHut, an established partner of Obsidian Systems. “That is part of the reason why getting ‘buy-in’ from the business can prove a challenge. But, the benefits of this process are clear’.”

The obvious advantage is ensuring that systems are up to the task of helping to build business, focusing on retaining applications that add value, that are used extensively and mean something to the bottom line.

Those applications that are no longer used or add little or no value are eliminated. “This means a smoother, more streamlined and cost-efficient operation,” adds Finnemore.

Another seasoned technology expert at the event, Jaen Swart, added to the discussion, providing insight into Red Hat infrastructure and its value in modernised architecture and the ability to scale rapidly.