Key Takeaways
- Legacy desktop apps limit remote access, integrations and security.
- Assess what to keep, rebuild or retire before migrating.
- Migrate in phases with parallel runs to avoid business disruption.
Many Indian businesses still depend on desktop software written in VB6, FoxPro, Delphi or old .NET. It works, but it cannot be accessed remotely, integrates poorly and depends on a few people who understand it.
Signs it is time to migrate
- Only works on office PCs
- Original developer unavailable
- Frequent crashes or data corruption
- No mobile access or integrations
- Security concerns on old operating systems
Roadmap
- Assessment: document features, data, users and pain points
- Prioritise: keep, improve, retire
- Design the new web app and data model
- Build in phases, starting with most-used modules
- Migrate data with validation
- Run in parallel for a defined period
- Retire the old system
Benefits
| Area | Improvement |
|---|---|
| Access | Anywhere, any device |
| Security | Modern authentication and encryption |
| Integration | APIs to ERP, CRM, payments |
| Maintenance | Modern, well-documented code |
Read more in legacy software modernisation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can old desktop software be converted to a web app?
Yes. The features and data are analysed, then rebuilt as a modern web app, usually with improvements.
Will we lose our old data?
No, if migration is planned well. Data is cleaned, mapped and validated before go-live.
How long does migration take?
Depending on size, 2–9 months, often done in phases.
Is it better to rewrite or buy new software?
If off-the-shelf software fits your process, buying may be faster; for unique workflows, rebuilding is often better.
