Replace legacy systems, step by step
Old software often runs reliably for years – until an update is no longer possible, the only developer leaves or security updates run out. Then a stable system turns into a risk.
Shopware Silver Partner and Google PartnerTeams in Mönchengladbach and Düsseldorf
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When a legacy system becomes a risk
The warning signs are usually familiar: frameworks without security updates, knowledge that depends on one person, changes that take longer and longer. A complete rebuild is rarely the only way.
Refactor
Clean up and update the existing code when architecture and business logic are still sound at the core.
- Are architecture and business logic still sound?
- Does the framework still get updates?
Replace gradually
Replace individual modules one by one while the legacy system keeps running – known as the strangler approach.
- Which modules can be split out one by one?
- Does the legacy system need to keep running meanwhile?
Start fresh
Rebuild or migrate to a standard platform when further development would cost more than a planned restart.
- Would further development cost more than a restart?
- Is there a standard platform that fits?
How we approach it
Assess first, then decide – no rebuild on principle.
Assess
What does your system do, what does it cost to keep running, where are the risks?
Choose a path
Refactoring, gradual replacement or a restart – we decide together what fits.
Implement in order
In stages, with data migration and ongoing maintenance, so updates do not pile up again.
Where are you stuck?
One click starts the Digital Stack Builder with your focus. Four questions, your plan, free of charge.
The right services
- Software modernization & legacy migrationRefactoring, technical debt reduction and cloud migration: make outdated systems future-proof step by step while operations keep running.
- Migration & replatformingShop migration to Shopware 6 with data migration and SEO safeguards for an orderly go-live.
- Shopware migrationFrom Shopware 5 to Shopware 6: data migration, parallel development and monitoring during the switch.
- Shop maintenance & supportRegular updates, security patches, plugin updates and compatibility checks so your Shopware shop stays current and secure.
Real results
Xtreme Events
Moving an event-module catalogue from WordPress to Shopware 6 as a shop with a request basket, with 934 redirects and search and AI optimisation in three languages.
- E-Commerce
- Shopware
- Migration
349 Modules migrated
View caseKeep reading
All articlesFrequently asked questions
Your question isn't here? Ask us directly
How do I know my legacy system should be replaced?
Typical signs are missing security updates, outdated frameworks, knowledge that depends on a few people and changes that take disproportionately long. The free Legacy Check combines these factors into a risk score in six questions and suggests a suitable modernization path.
Do I have to rebuild everything?
No. A complete rebuild is only one of several paths. It is often more economical to modernize the existing code in a targeted way or to replace individual modules gradually. Which path fits depends on the state of the system, the budget and the urgency.
How do operations continue during the transition?
With a gradual replacement, the legacy system stays in operation while new parts take over one by one. For migrations, we plan data transfer, test phase and cutover so that downtime stays as short as possible. We agree on the details together before the project starts.
What if nobody knows the old code anymore?
That happens more often than you might think. The first step is then a technical analysis: we read the code, document dependencies and interfaces and make visible which parts are critical. This assessment is the basis for every further decision.
When should I tackle a Shopware update?
In good time, before security updates for your version run out. The bigger the version jump, the more plugins, themes and customizations need to be checked. The free Shopware Audit shows which version your shop runs and where it gets stuck before the update.
Let's talk about your legacy system
30 minutes, no obligation: we look at the state, risks and goals of your system and outline a realistic path.
