(CI/CD) toolchain that includes the integration of auto-
mated testing and code promotion, along with any cloud
frameworks and tools the development team may need.
Modernize the application using an agile
MVP approach
Once you define the MVP and build the development envi-
ronment, refactoring can begin. Use an agile, sprint-based
approach that allows rapid response to changes in require-
ments and priorities, facilitates continuous delivery of work-
ing features to stakeholders for feedback and acceptance
and drives time to market. Continually validate the user
experience with real customers to ensure the end product
will keep them engaged. Optimize the infrastructure
through updates to the IaC, and maintain the CI/CD script-
ing and automated testing pipeline throughout the devel-
opment lifecycle.
Make automated testing an integral part
of your modernization strategy
Move testing as far left in the process as possible. Leverage
automated testing in your CI/CD tool chain to maintain fea-
ture parity before and after the modernization process.
Testing should include unit, functional, destructive and load
testing, as well as applications, configurations and infra-
structure testing, to build confidence as you work through
the release process.
Modernizing for the Future: a Use Case
Five years ago, Kronos, a leading provider of workforce
management solutions, decided to disrupt the way they
delivered to their customers, before an entrepreneurial
startup could beat them to it. Utilizing Google Cloud Plat-
form, Kronos designed a modern, cloud-based application,
offering breakthrough employee experience and unprece-
dented levels of operational insight. Embedded analytics
and personalized visualizations provide real-time visibility
into compliance and employee well-being. Artificial intelli-
gence and machine learning provide best-fit recommenda-
tions and guided decision making. And the technology
infrastructure provides powerful platform extensibility with
open APIs to easily adapt to changing business needs. By
reimagining every facet of their business – from profes-
sional services to customer support, to finance and market-
ing and everything in between — Kronos was able to sup-
port its Workforce Dimension application and exceed
customer acquisition goals by 50%.
Conclusion
For ISVs, there is tremendous value wrapped up in existing
applications: They power the business. Modernizing those
applications while maintaining that value increases busi-
ness agility and improves application scalability, resiliency
and usability. By following the modernization blueprint,
ISVs can get started on a successful modernization initia-
tive, and see results against their business goals as quickly
as possible. Following this blueprint will provide significant
business value:
• An enhanced user experience that will delight
customers
• Secure, scalable, automated cloud environments with
the frameworks and tools development teams need
to accelerate innovation
• A modernized application, refactored using cloud-na-
tive architectures and services to both realize cloud
benefits and increase developer productivity
• A roadmap for continued modernization to achieve
longer-term business goals
Get started on your application
modernization initiative today.
www.cloudtp.com/digital-innovation
SPRING 2019 | THE DOPPLER | 43