What are the benefits of Replatforming?

Replatforming refers to the process of migrating a website or digital platform from one technology stack to another.

What are the benefits of Replatforming?
Written by
Markus Lorenz
Published on
Aug 17, 2024

What is Cloud Migration and Replatforming?

Replatforming refers to the process of migrating a website or digital platform from one technology stack to another. This could involve transitioning from one content management system (CMS) to another, upgrading to a newer version of the current CMS, or switching to a completely different e-commerce platform as part of a broader cloud migration strategy. Understanding various cloud migration approaches, such as replatforming, on-premises, cloud-to-cloud, and hybrid cloud migration strategies, is essential for effectively transitioning legacy applications to the cloud. Replatforming can also help modernize legacy systems to improve performance and scalability.

There are many reasons for replatforming. It may be driven by the need for better performance, scalability, security or to take advantage of new features and functionality offered by a different platform. Regardless of the reasons, replatforming is a strategic decision designed to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of a website. Evaluating different cloud platforms based on features, scalability, support, and pricing is crucial to selecting the right solution for an organization.

The Benefits of Replatforming

Improved performance

One of the main benefits of replatforming is the potential for improved website performance through cloud computing. Newer technologies often come with optimizations that can improve speed and responsiveness, leading to a better user experience and higher conversion rates. Migrating to a new cloud platform can further enhance performance by leveraging scalability, security, and efficiency, provided that the transition is carefully planned and existing applications are minimally altered.

Scalability

As businesses grow, they need digital platforms that can scale along with them. Leveraging robust cloud infrastructure can support scalability and accommodate increasing traffic and transaction volumes. Replatforming to a more scalable solution ensures that your website can accommodate increasing traffic and transaction volumes without compromising performance or stability. Transitioning from legacy data center infrastructure to a scalable cloud solution can support business growth by providing improved scalability, agility, and cost-effectiveness.

Improved features and functionalities

As technology continues to move forward, newer platforms often come with advanced features and functionality that can enable businesses to innovate and stay ahead of the competition. Replatforming can enable the use of cloud-native features to enhance scalability and flexibility. Replatforming provides an opportunity to leverage these capabilities and deliver a more compelling user experience. Selecting the right cloud platform is crucial to leverage advanced features and functionalities, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance during the migration process.

Better security in cloud infrastructure

Security is a top concern for any online business. Replatforming to a more secure platform or updating to the latest version of a CMS can help mitigate security risks and protect sensitive data from cyber threats.

Cost savings

While replatforming may require an initial investment of time and resources, it can result in long-term cost savings by eliminating the need for costly customisations or fixes to address limitations of the current platform. Leveraging cloud services can lead to long-term cost savings by reducing maintenance and operating costs. A more efficient and scalable platform can also reduce maintenance and operating costs over time.

How to know if you should Replatform legacy systems

The decision to replatform requires careful consideration and analysis. A well-defined cloud migration strategy is crucial to ensure a smooth transition. One such strategy is the lift and shift approach, where an application is moved from an on-premises environment to a cloud environment without any modifications. This method is quick and straightforward but may not fully leverage cloud-native benefits compared to more involved strategies like replatforming and refactoring. The following are some of the factors to be considered:

  1. Are you experiencing frequent downtime, slow loading times, or other performance issues with your current platform?
  2. Is your website struggling to handle increasing traffic or transaction volumes?
  3. Is your current platform outdated, lacking essential features, or no longer supported by the provider?
  4. Have you experienced security breaches or are you worried about the vulnerability of your current platform?
  5. Are you unable to customize or extend your website to meet changing business requirements? Additionally, be aware of the risk of scope creep and the importance of managing it to control costs and maintain project objectives.

Before replatforming, consider the following

Before starting a replatforming journey, it’s important to carefully assess the potential risks and challenges. The migration process is complex and requires careful planning to minimize disruption during transitions. As an experienced ecommerce agency, we understand the complexities involved and strive to ensure a seamless transition for our clients. Here are some of the key factors to consider:

Cost and resources

Replatforming can be a complex and resource consuming process. Cloud and automation skills are essential for optimizing the replatforming process and minimizing resource allocation. However, by partnering with an experienced agency such as ours, you can optimise the process and minimise resource allocation on your end. We have the expertise and resources to carry out the migration efficiently, ensuring that you maximise the return on your investment.

Data migration in Cloud environments

Transferring data from your old platform to the new can be a challenging task, especially if you have large volumes of content or complex data structures. Migrating data to a cloud environment adds another layer of complexity, as it is crucial to ensure compatibility and leverage cloud-native features. Our agency has extensive experience in data migration and testing, ensuring that your valuable data is transferred accurately and securely. We develop complete migration plans to meet your specific needs, ensuring that the risk of data loss or corruption is avoided.

User experience

A replatforming can disrupt the user experience if it is not carried out smoothly. Our dedicated team of developers meticulously test the new platform to identify and address any usability issues before the full transition. We prioritize user feedback and conduct extensive usability testing to ensure that the transition is seamless and minimally disruptive to your customers.

Ready to take the next step in replatforming your e-commerce website? Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your goals. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process and ensure a successful outcome for your business.