Article Options
Applications Services Blog
Get the latest thought leadership and information about the role of Applications Services in an increasingly interconnected world at the HP Blog Hub.

Nadhan’s Top 5: How you know it’s time to retire an application

Nadhan| July 20, 2011
Post a Comment
0

When it comes to application transformation legacy is a relative term. What we associate with the term "current" today is likely to become "legacy" tomorrow. Thus, there is always a need for transformation that entails the introduction of newer applications and the retirement of existing applications. The need to retire applications is one of the constants over time.

 

So, how do you know the time has come for an application to be retired? Here are  5 tips to help you decide if/when the time is right to get rid of an obsolete app:

 

Listen to your users. Enterprises need to constantly feel the pulse of its external and internal user communities. Users communicate with the enterprise in multiple ways about their experience with an application that is a likely candidate for retirement. Some do so proactively by venting their frustration with their overall experience with the application. Others do so in a more subtle manner by changing their level of interaction with the application, ultimately switching over to alternative choices.

 

Align to the business. Enterprises continually need to refine their overall business strategy. New business domains could introduce new business problems requiring new solutions and newer applications. A cloud computing environment needs to have increased focus on managing the As-a-service providers. What used to be a product a few years back is a service today. Therefore, applications that focused on the management of tools and products may qualify to be replaced by applications focused on the management of service providers.

 

Watch the tech space. Necessity is the mother of invention. Paradigm shifting technologies introduce new Picture1.pngareas of research that begets newer technologies. Internet came first followed by YouTube. Remember VCRs? Unbeknownst to the application stakeholders, the technology continues to evolve. Try explaining an audio cassette player to a 10-year old. Technological advances also result in a shift in the demand for human resources in a given domain, which triggers a dramatic change in the available skill sets in the industry. As the enabling technology becomes obsolete, so does the related expertise for the applications enabled by these technologies.  Insufficient subject matter expertise is a common trigger for retiring an application.

 

View the Enterprise. Some signs are not within the context of an application or its underlying technology. They surface at a broader enterprise level. Multiple organizational units land up enabling similar functionality through their own departmental applications. Why should enterprise wide functions like HR, Billing, Supplier Management, IT Services, etc. be implemented through multiple departmental applications? A single enterprise wide instance will do with multiple configurations for various organizational units. So, what happens to the departmental applications? You guessed it. They are retired.

 

Focus on one Application. Even after standardizing across organizational units within an enterprise, external triggers require us to continually take stock of the enabling set of applications. Mergers and Acquisitions is one such trigger. These result in the sudden emergence of two or more applications that served the same purpose in their respective enterprises. In the new merged enterprise, when there are two, typically one would suffice. The other is a candidate for retirement.

 

Once applications are identified as candidates for retirement, the process of decommissioning them must be initiated at the right time. But, that is best saved for another post.

 

If you haven’t yet started the process to retire your duplicate and obsolete applications, check out the HP Application Transformation and Application Rationalization information for additional tips on how to get started. And remember, application portfolio management is not only a journey or destination, it’s an ongoing way of doing business.

 

Tags: Application rationalization| Applications Portfolio
Labels: Application Management| Application Transformation| Applications Services
Labels:
Leave a Comment

We encourage you to share your comments on this post. Comments are moderated and will be reviewed
and posted as promptly as possible during regular business hours

To ensure your comment is published, be sure to follow the community guidelines.
Be sure to enter a unique name. You can't reuse a name that's already in use.
Be sure to enter a unique email address. You can't reuse an email address that's already in use.
Type the characters you see in the picture above.Type the words you hear.
 
Search
turn on suggestions Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
About the Author
  • Anthony works in the ES Apps Enterprise APJ . He is a self-motivated and well-disposed individual. He is a certified SAP FICO consultant. He has over twenty years industry experience in business transformation and Information Technology consulting (SAP). With excellent, interpersonal and communication skills, Anthony is able to influence and motivate at all levels. An empathic team player, He derives fulfilment in contributing towards others' development. Anthony possesses good analytical and problem-solving skills. He is a quick thinker, remains calm under pressure, handles multiple tasks, and accomplishes objectives with excellent time management. He is flexible and accustomed to meeting high standards and deadlines. Anthony possesses practical knowledge of business processes and concepts and has a keen eye for detail. He is aware of the importance of an effective system and quality management.
  • Bryan Coapstick is the Director of Mobile Innovation at HP. In this role, he is responsible for driving strategic mobility initiatives, key industry partnerships and relationships to enable clients to leverage the mobile channel to both extend their brands and more effectively reach their customers, constituents, partners, and employees. Bryan is an active participant in various industry advisory councils to help government and industry exchange information and collaborate on technology issues within the public sector. Bryan Coapstick has almost two decades of experience in both public and private sector in a variety of senior roles that focused on emerging technologies and intersections of business strategy and technology. He has worked with several Fortune 200 companies to extend their brands, systems, and presence to effectively leverage the mobile channel. Bryan is a frequent speaker, panellist, and blogger on the ways mobile innovations and social media are changing our lives.
  • Benjamin Romberg has over twenty five years experience in the IT industry, the last twelve of which have been as a testing professional. He has experience as a test analyst, performance tester, automation specialist, test lead, test manager, test consultant and test executive. He has worked on all types of testing engagements ranging from small web based applications through to core system upgrades. Benjamin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Genetics, a Post Graduate Degree in Software Engineering and an Executive Masters in Business Administration. Benjamin now leads HP’s Testing and Quality Assurance Practice in Asia Pacific and Japan.
  • Craig has been with HP for 10 years working on the solutioning side as a Solution Architect. Primarily works with Microsoft technologies and has for the better part of 16 years. This past year Craig has worked mostly with Windows AZURE and the mobility side of Windows Phone 7/8 and Android.
  • Master Business Consultant and Distinguished SE with 35+ years of IT experience, specializing in SOA and Integration.
  • Daniel Amor (EMEA, AMOD, Cloud, Portals, Web Apps and SOA domain expert): Daniel has designed, won, led and delivered large-scale, complex applications-related projects by acting as a trusted advisor to clients. Daniel conducts regular training and client-facing sessions, and he has authored six books and numerous articles in European and US-based magazines and newspapers on IT change. He is a regular lecturer and he speaks on Portals, E-Business and Cloud.
  • Global HP Microsoft Business Applications Practice. Microsoft Dynamics CRM subject matter expert. Based in Manchester, United Kingdom. @DarrenCRM on Twitter
  • Solutions Architect working at HP since 2002 with focus on Applications Modernization, located at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Gary White is a Managing Consultant in the HP EMEA Industry Transformation Consulting practice. He has 30 years of operational and consulting experience in the application of Value Management and Management of Change techniques, together with a strong background in hard and soft systems analysis and design. Gary has worked in variety of industries including Defense, Healthcare, Department of Work and Pensions, Transport, Criminal Justice, Manufacturing and Energy.
  • Guido Arndt is since May 1997 business consultant and project manager @ Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services. Main focus is strategic and organizational alignment of logistics, sales and production processes in the automotive and manufacturing industry as well as business performance projects in finance and telecommunication industry. Guido has experience as change agent and transformation manager in people-driven merger & aquisition projects focusing government, consulting firms, manufacturing plants and consumer brands.
  • Ivan is a veteran CRM consultant of 13 years with a passion for designing and building enterprise solutions on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform. During his career, he has helped multiple clients in the Financial Services, Healthcare, and Hi-Tech industries maximize their investment in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. In addtion, Ivan has delivered presentations on topics related to Microsoft Dynamics CRM at Microsoft Convergence, the CRM User Group Summit, and MSDynamicsWorld.comâ?Ts Decisions virtual conference. Ivan's interest include xRM design and development with an emphasis on plug-in development, Social CRM, and digital marketing
  • CISSP, Open CA Master Architect Technical Consultant with 27+ year of IT experience specializing in Application Security, Solution Architecture, Portals, Social Business, and Integration
  • Jim has been with HP for 33 years and currently leads a global Strategic Capabilities Management team, with a specific focus on Business Analysis and Configuration Management. Jim also manages a team within the US State, Local, and Education division of HP. He was a member of the IIBA committee that created a Business Analyst Competency Model and he participated in the development of IEEE standards. Jim graduated from Harvard University, the University of British Columbia, and Ottawa Theological Hall. He currently lives in Toronto, Canada.
  • SAP Technologist from APPS GD SAP Practice - Manila covering SAP NetWeaver EP, SAP Mobility and general SAP solutions.
  • WW product marketing manager for HP Applications Modernization and Transformation Consulting Services. 35+ years of IT technology and services experience.
  • Laurence has over 35 years experience in the IT industry and has spent 27 years delivering knowledge management (and before that became fashionable, Artificial Intelligence and knowledge-based systems) transformation projects to clients in Government, Industry, Manufacturing and Telecomms industries. He has developed and implemented knowledge management (KM) strategies for HP's clients and for business areas in HP (for BPO and for our Consulting business) and believes that KM strategy is essential for an effective KM practice.
  • Lori Lewis leads Global Digital and Integrated Marketing for the Applications and Business Services division in HP’s Enterprise Services. The organization is focused on providing clients with enterprise applications services and solutions to solve some of their most pressing business problems. For over 2 decades, she has championed innovative communication approaches to drive and grow market share and build motivated, empowered teams. She is a compelling, passionate ambassador of the art and science of marketing and the amazing results it can achieve when done with integrity and passion. Ms. Lewis’ credentials, track record, and enthusiasm are essential ingredients her team relies on as they work together to establish HP as the undisputed leader in information management and analytics services.
  • CRM enthusiast, avid techie
  • More than 10 years of experience in developing effective and innovative marketing and communication strategies. Recently I have studied the effects of social media and disruptive technology on business, marketing, and culture. Follow me on Twitter: @micaelaraimondi
  • Have 11 years of experience in SAP Consulting, Solutioning and Account management.
  • Robert is the Dynamics CRM Technical Sales Architect and Chief Technologist for US Public Sector at HP Enterprise Services responsible for supporting technical sales and solution architecture for the US Public Sector Federal, State, and Local agencies. His favorite topic of discussion is about Dynamics CRM and its use as a Business Solutions Development environment (formerly xRM) for application modernization of legacy Line of Business applications. And especially the application of mobility technologies and leveraging BYOD to enhance the enterprise. Robert brings over 20 years of experience in technology within IT, Consulting and Sales roles that have crossed numerous domains including: Service and Support; Product Development; Hospitality; Banking; Retail; POS, Public Sector and others. Robert has been focused exclusively on the Dynamics CRM platform since the 3.0 beta.
  • I have over 20 years of I.T. experience predominantely in applications development. In addition to my I.T. experience I spent 7 years as the Director of Store Services at Canada's third largest grocery retailer.
  • Shawn Tabor is a CRM Solution Architect and a licensed securities representative. He has 12 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry and over 8 years working with Microsoft Dynamics CRM implementations within Financial Services, Manufacturing, and Public Sector.
  • HP Enterprise Services Applications Marketing
  • Steve Petruno is a Product Manager for HP’s Global Oracle Services with over 24 years experience in the Information Technology industry, project Management, Human Resources, Payroll and Benefits, ERP implementations, upgrades, acquisitions and divestitures.
  • I have worked for HP as a business consultant for seven years, providing process, strategy and business transformation advice in the Financial Services and UK Government sectors. As part of this I have used Lean and Continuous Improvement techniques to assess and improve business performance, ensure regulatory compliance and improve environmental sustainability.
  • Tom is the Global Product Marketing lead for HP's Cloud Applications Services. Tom has over 20 years of experience in information technology and a proven track record for implementing innovative client solutions in several industries including government, healthcare, and telecommunications. He thrives on developing services and solutions which result in business process improvement through greater systems efficiency.
  • Vijay Seetharaman is an Enterprise Architect within HP Enterprise Services - Industry Transformation Consulting practice, focusing on Cloud and Mobility
Follow Us