Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 105 | Page 37

TALKING

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Regional enterprises in their quest to generate digital revenue , expand their markets , and address new customer persona , have no choice but to leverage modern applications and deliver through digital platforms , while continuously innovating for performance . IDC estimates that there could be as many as 750 million cloud native applications built by 2025 . Consequently , application modernisation is increasingly becoming a top concern for CIOs due to its growing complexity and urgency .

Modern software applications have now become complex and require enterprises to continuously assess their systems and network infrastructure as well to ensure there are no availability gaps to deliver high engagement digital experiences through the cloud .
Although most IT decision-makers recognise the importance of prioritising application modernisation in their forward-thinking IT strategies , only a quarter of them have realised this crucial objective . Typically , this entails modernising applications , updating underlying data infrastructure , and upgrading system hardware .
So , what steps should CIOs take to accelerate their application modernisation initiatives ?
Transitioning from legacy to modern
“ Commence by conducting a thorough evaluation of current applications to identify those most crucial for modernisation . Prioritise based on criteria such as business impact , technical indebtedness , and alignment with strategic objectives ,” explains Walid Gomaa , CEO at Omnix International ,
Craft a comprehensive strategy that clearly outlines the objectives , timelines , and resources required for application modernisation . Ensure that this strategy closely aligns with the organisation ' s overarching IT and business goals .
Embrace agile development methodologies and DevOps practices to streamline the modernisation process , enhance collaboration between development and operations teams , and expedite delivery cycles .
By embracing microservices , monolithic and inefficient legacy systems can undergo transformation into efficient and adaptable solutions . Microservices encapsulate legacy software , facilitating modernisation with the aim of enhancing business processes and enriching customer experiences . These services dismantle sprawling , monolithic applications into smaller , more manageable components with clearly defined boundaries .
Harness cloud services and containerisation technologies to modernise applications , enhance scalability , and boost flexibility . This facilitates simpler deployment and management of applications within contemporary cloud environments .
Security and compliance considerations should take precedence throughout the modernisation journey . Implementing rigorous security measures safeguards sensitive data and ensures adherence to industry regulations and standards .
“ Organisations contemplating application modernisation must evaluate their existing technology stack and pinpoint outdated or ineffective components requiring an upgrade . Their emphasis should be on providing intuitive , responsive , and feature-rich experiences across various devices and platforms ,” adds Omnix ’ s Gomaa .
Adoption of facilities management and outsourcing
Facilities Management and the IT outsourcing landscape is undergoing a significant digital transformation . Sensors in buildings use IoT to gather data for proactive maintenance , while robots handle routine tasks like cleaning , freeing staff for strategic work . AI predicts equipment failures and tailors services , while cloud platforms offer real-time data and collaboration , boosting agility .
Clients get self-service portals for better control . These innovations disrupt traditional models , forcing Facilities Management and IT outsourcers to adopt automation , data-driven decisions , and a focus on exceeding client expectations .
“ Facilities management and IT outsourcing can ease IT administrator burdens by offloading tasks . Facilities Management handles physical infrastructure like Internet cabling and temperature control , ensuring a smooth IT environment . IT outsourcing frees them from managing hardware , software maintenance , or user issues , letting them focus on core IT strategy and projects . This reduces stress , frees up time , and allows them to be more proactive ,” says Vijay Jaswal , Chief Technology Officer , APJ & MEA , IFS
IT Solutions like IFS Cloud act as a central nervous system for Facilities Management and IT outsourcing
Avinash Gujje , Practice Head for Infrastructure , Cloud Box Technologies
Vijay Jaswal , Chief Technology Officer , APJ & MEA , IFS
Walid Gomaa , CEO Omnix International
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