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AI-powered legacy code modernization and migration: modernize your tech stack, improve performance, and future-proof your systems with AI-driven efficiency
Legacy code is expensive to maintain, distracts resources, hinders innovation, and exposes your business to security risks. Traditional system re-writes demand significant time, cost, and human resources, and often fail to meet expectations. So, how can you modernize systems without the complexities of traditional reengineering? AI-augmented legacy system modernization allows organizations to upgrade systems more quickly and safely, reducing costs and unlocking innovation.
What’s legacy code?
Legacy code is software written with outdated technologies and modified by various developers throughout its life cycle. While still functional, it’s difficult and expensive to maintain, may have security vulnerabilities, offers an outdated user experience (UX), and limits scalability.
How do you determine whether the code in your systems is aging?
Businesses across industries may not realize that their platform’s source code is outdated. Here are some signs that your systems are becoming legacy liabilities:
- Outdated, incomplete, or missing documentation
- Architectural rigidity that limits innovation
- Business-critical logic understood only by a few key specialists
- Unsuccessful integration with modern systems, cloud services, and APIs
- Rising infrastructure and maintenance costs
- Poor system testability, observability, and visibility
- Growing technical debt that is impossible to reduce
- Increasing security, compliance, and scalability risks
Be on the lookout for these signs in your current systems. With the right AI expertise, outdated systems can be modernized to deliver better performance, security, scalability, and UX.
Why use AI?
Revitalizing your legacy code with AI-driven modernization, such as generative AI and agents backed by large language models (LLMs), is a strategic leap forward. According to a report by RightFirms, organizations following this approach see:
Up to 80% cost savings from AI-driven modernization
83% of integration logic managed by AI-powered API gateways
87% accuracy in extracting core business logic from obsolete codebases
90% accuracy in interpreting and translating legacy code
92% accuracy in mapping existing system dependencies
High system availability during code transitions, enabled by AI-powered migration frameworks
AI Development Services
Explore our expertiseOur approaches to AI legacy system modernization
EffectiveSoft uses following approaches to modernize and migrate clients’ obsolete codebases with AI:
AI-assisted engineering
Our certified team uses AI tools to expedite routine reengineering tasks, including AI-assisted code refactoring, tech debt remediation, large scale library version upgrades, converting manual to automated tests, using code accelerators to resolve defects or improve features, carving out components from monoliths, AI enabled CI/CD pipelines, and environment monitoring, all while preserving existing system logic, architecture, and quality. If you’re looking to modernize highly customized or tightly coupled legacy software using both AI tools and vigilant human oversight, AI-assisted engineering is the ideal choice.
Custom-fit, AI agent–based migration frameworks
Our tailored migration frameworks can help you move your outdated systems to new platforms. AI agents are customized to your tech stack and expertly orchestrated to analyze legacy code, generate modern equivalents, validate that the new code meets modern standards, create test cases and documentation, and integrate system-guided human review at critical points in the workflow—all in collaboration with your team under the guidance of our developers. This approach balances the speed of AI with human oversight, enabling a fast and seamless transition to up-to-date solutions.
“AI isn’t just for new development, and legacy code modernization and migration is a prime example. EffectiveSoft helps business owners and engineering leaders update and transition their outdated codebases to newer platforms and technologies. The long-term benefits of partnering with us include reduced technical debt, lower maintenance costs, and a measurable return on investment (ROI).”
Mark Minehart
Global CTO
Business benefits of AI legacy code modernization
Using AI to modernize your outdated codebase doesn’t just improve code quality and the technical and operational efficiency of your software—it creates a measurable business impact for years to come. A study by McKinsey, backed by insights from EffectiveSoft’s team, reveals that reliance on generative AI in application modernization:
- Accelerates timelines by 40%–50%
- Reduces technical debt-related expenses by 40%
- Streamlines existing business processes
- Solidifies compliance posture
- Improves ROI through faster time-to-value
- Minimizes long-term maintenance costs
In the ever-changing digital world, companies may find their solutions outdated and struggling to meet modern demands. To address the challenge, companies may opt to modernize legacy systems, allowing them to seize new opportunities, gain a competitive advantage, and boost productivity.
How exactly do we apply AI to optimize your outdated code?
EffectiveSoft’s AI-certified developers have hands-on experience with AI and its various applications. To modernize your legacy system code, we use the following methods:
- 01
Migrating legacy apps to modern tech stacks
Our AI developers go far beyond AI refactoring legacy systems—we move entire environments with databases, app logic, and user interfaces (UIs) to contemporary tech stacks like Node.js and .NET Core. - 02
Re-architecting monolithic systems into modular, API-first microservices
AI-powered tools enable us to transform your monolithic architectures into modern, modular, and scalable ecosystems, where components communicate safely through APIs, ensuring 24/7 efficiency for each software component. - 03
Replacing outdated languages, platforms, and dependencies
We use AI to convert obsolete programming languages—such as COBOL to .NET, .NET Core to modern .NET, or Angular.js to modern React—adapt them to up-to-date frameworks, libraries, and cloud platforms, and simplify complex dependencies. - 04
Modernizing systems for security and compliance
Our team leverages AI and its subsets to identify and fix vulnerabilities in your legacy systems, implement security methods like AI-powered threat detection, and ensure compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC2. - 05
Improving observability, testability, and CI/CD readiness
AI helps us enhance visibility into system behavior and performance, increase test coverage of legacy programming, and implement smooth CI/CD pipelines that automate the process of integrating, testing, and deploying software code. - 06
Creating frameworks for automation and legacy system modernization
EffectiveSoft develops custom AI-based frameworks for continuous automation and legacy system modernization. This strong foundation helps businesses keep their systems fast, secure, and cost-efficient over the long term.
How do we breathe new life into legacy software code with AI?
Our team applies a unique, client-focused approach to every project we take on. Here’s how we use AI in application modernization:
Evaluating your legacy code
We assess your outdated codebase for inefficiencies, vulnerable dependencies, and limitations and identify areas for improvement.
Selecting a suitable AI modernization approach
Based on the results of the evaluation, our team chooses an appropriate AI revitalization approach aligned with your business priorities and capabilities.
Applying relevant AI tools
Our developers deploy tailored AI tools and multiagent systems that align with your security policies to accelerate the upgrade and migration of your legacy code.
Validating and testing
We then validate the output against known targets (such as code genning Node.js and validating against modern code standards) and perform both functional and nonfunctional testing of your updated code. AI helps us generate test cases, detect and fix issues, and deploy thoroughly validated results.
Deploying the upgraded software
After confirming the quality of the code, we deploy your modernized system to either on-premises servers, cloud platforms, or a mix of both.
Continuous monitoring
After deployment, our specialists observe your software in real time, quickly identify and respond to emerging incidents, and conduct regular updates.
With the rapid pace of technological evolution, maintaining flexible and scalable business solutions is essential. While some applications may only require regular attention and maintenance, others necessitate legacy migration. Given the crucial role legacy systems often play in daily operations of enterprises, legacy system migration must be carefully planned to avoid any risks.
AI for legacy code modernization: a real-world success story
According to Gartner, by 2028, 75% of enterprises will use AI-based code assistants for various initiatives, including legacy code modernization and migration. One notable example demonstrating the potential and effectiveness of AI technology in revitalizing deprecated software code is Morgan Stanley. This financial services and investment banking giant developed its internal DevGen.AI tool, built on GPT models, to review legacy code written in languages like COBOL and translate it into modern equivalents.
The DevGen.AI instrument interpreted 9 million lines of obsolete code, saving the company’s in-house development team 280,000 hours. This real-world example clearly illustrates how AI can optimize time and boost productivity, potentially saving labor and operational costs.
Why choose EffectiveSoft?
Certified AI expertise
Our developers hold certifications such as Oracle Certified Generative AI, Microsoft Azure AI Engineer, AWS Certified Machine Learning, and more. This verified AI expertise enables us to quickly resolve your legacy code issues while preserving system architecture, quality, and functionality.
Flexible AI adoption
EffectiveSoft offers a flexible AI adoption process for modernizing your software code. Based on your current and future needs, you can choose AI-assisted development, AI-powered migration frameworks, or independent agentic systems.
Consultative partnership model
Before we start optimizing your legacy code, our consultancy team thoroughly analyzes your enterprise. We develop clear modernization strategies, align AI approaches with your business priorities, and set realistic timelines.
Compliant AI solutions
We modernize your obsolete AI systems to meet current technology and industry compliance standards, including Oracle and Microsoft responsible AI frameworks, the EU AI Act, the Colorado AI Act, GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
Proven track record
With over two decades of practical IT experience, we excel at AI, cloud, and data services, having successfully launched 1,836 projects for clients of all sizes across fintech, healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, and other regulated industries.
Global availability
Our team tackles a broad range of technical, business, and design issues from nine development centers across Europe, the US, the UAE, and LATAM. Whatever issues you face, we provide 24/7 support to resolve them without disrupting your business.
Legacy application modernization
Explore our expertiseConclusion
Global enterprises in fintech, healthcare, and other industries are increasingly turning to AI to modernize their legacy software code. The benefits of using this technology are long-term and measurable: reduced technical debt, improved scalability, stronger protection of sensitive data, and lower infrastructure and maintenance costs. For faster, smarter, more cost-efficient systems, investing in AI is a smart move. EffectiveSoft is ready to support your modernization journey—just us let us know your requirements!
F.A.Q. about AI for legacy code modernization and migration
Applications written in legacy code pose serious technical challenges for business owners, including poor integration with modern systems, subpar performance, data leaks, and cybersecurity breaches—issues that can drive up costs, create operational bottlenecks, and hinder innovation and growth.
AI-assisted and traditional approaches to legacy code revitalization differ in methodology. The conventional approach involves manual analysis, rewriting, and testing, while the AI-supported method relies on automated analysis, code transformation, and auto-generated test cases and documentation.
Using AI to optimize and migrate legacy source code accelerates developer efficiency, increases code quality and maintainability, simplifies the creation of relevant technical documentation, and reduces related expenses.
While AI can expedite project timelines by 40%–50%, the final time frame depends on the scope and scale of your undertaking, the chosen AI modernization strategy, the overall complexity of your aging system, and other crucial factors. Interested in learning the exact timeline for your legacy code modernization and migration project? Contact our consultancy team for a detailed estimate.
The current AI trends in optimizing outdated source code include AI-augmented code refactoring, multiagent systems, LLMs for creating accurate documentation, and others.
AI-driven legacy code migration is secure when development teams follow best practices for protecting sensitive data, including thorough assessment and planning, maintaining data quality, and continuous monitoring. Tools and approaches should be customized to meet your specific security and privacy requirements.
To ensure accurate code and consistent compliance with industry regulations, AI must be complemented by human judgment and oversight.
While downtime is possible during AI-powered code migration, EffectiveSoft’s team ensures speed, efficiency, and zero disruptions to your business ecosystem through its AI-powered legacy system migration services.
Yes, highly customized and industry-specific software can be modernized using AI technologies. However, the development team should be highly competent and experienced in effectively applying AI for this purpose.
While AI is mostly responsible for routine tasks in our modernization projects, our engineers focus on preserving existing business logic, ensuring end-to-end compliance, and managing complex, sector-specific requirements.
To answer this question, let’s look at the facts. EffectiveSoft has delivered over 1,800 projects, many involving AI, for companies in trading, healthcare, financial services, and other sectors. Because we tackle the toughest challenges, achieve 94% on-time delivery, and provide around-the-clock maintenance and support, 60% of our clients return for services in other domains. Want to know more? Let’s schedule a call!
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