Not saying goodbye to your old systems just yet: how to integrate legacy with modern low-code apps

You want to innovate. Move fast, automate, give users a slick digital experience. But... you are still running on that one outdated database. Or on that ERP system nobody quite knows the workings of any more, apart from Kees, who is retiring soon.

Sound familiar? Then you are not the only one. Many companies are at a crossroads: they do want to move with the times, but they cannot simply throw their existing IT landscape overboard. Fortunately, they do not have to.

With a smart low-code approach, with Mendix for example, you can develop new apps that work seamlessly with your existing systems. That way you get the best of both worlds: speed and stability. But how do you go about it?

Why you often cannot let go of your legacy (yet)

Outdated systems are often seen as a problem. But let us be honest: they usually still run perfectly well. In fact, they often form the backbone of your organisation. Think of:

• Internal tools for production, logistics or accounting
• Customer or product files that exist nowhere else
• Secured software containing sensitive data

These systems hold crucial data and processes. And so they cannot be replaced in a hurry. What you can do is build around them.

Low-code as a bridge between old and new

Low-code platforms such as Mendix offer an ideal way to connect legacy and modernisation. For example, you can:

• Build a fresh interface on top of an old system
• Create new mobile apps that pull data from your existing database
• Automate only those processes that deliver the most

And all of that without having to overhaul your entire IT landscape.

Want to know more about when Mendix is a good fit, and when it might not be? Then read this too: The benefits of Mendix, and when it might be less suitable

How does such an integration work in practice?

There are various ways to connect a legacy system to a new app:

• Through APIs: if your legacy system supports them, you can exchange data in real time
• Through middleware or converters: handy if your system does not have modern APIs
• Through a direct database connection: for example with a Java extension in your Mendix app
• With JavaScript or custom widgets: if you need extra functionality that falls outside Mendix

The nice thing is that at JAM-IT we have both low-code developers and traditionally trained programmers in house. So whatever your system needs, we can handle it.

Want to know more about hybrid solutions? Check out: Extend Mendix with Java and JavaScript

Modernising smartly: step by step

You do not have to make the switch all at once. In fact, it is often smarter to start small:

1. Choose one process or team where digitisation really pays off
2. Build an app that supports that process and connects to your legacy
3. Test, improve and only then scale up further

That way you reduce risks and let everyone get used to the new way of working. That is how you make your digital transformation manageable.

And the pitfalls?

There are risks, certainly. A few we see often:

• Wanting to do too much at once
• Underestimating the integrations needed
• Insufficient documentation of the legacy system
• No fallback scenario at go-live

The solution? Experienced developers who understand both old and new technology. And an iterative approach in which you can keep adjusting course.

Ready for hybrid innovation?

So you do not have to dump your old systems straight away. But standing still is not an option either. The key lies in smart combinations: building innovation on top of your existing foundation. And that is exactly what JAM-IT excels at.

So: would you also like innovation without the demolition work? Then we would be glad to have a coffee with you. Or read on about our approach in other projects: 👉 5 integrations that take your app to the next level 👉 From idea to impact: how to validate your app idea without a line of code