Legacy Systems - Asset or Liability? The Data impacts of Elimination/Retirement

Companies often maintain old applications in order to retain and access data from legacy systems because there is a fear of loss of information, lack of lineage or anxiety over legal retribution. These legacy systems can become a burden and therefore need to be considered either a financial asset or debt. Some of the challenges encountered are redundant capabilities with software, especially as what is acquired and repurposed by larger vendors. These information systems are written in a variety of programming languages on divergent operating systems and represent incompatible interfaces. Additionally most applications bear a maintenance cost. Finally and of most interest to data professionals is the information locked up in these legacy systems still represents a part of a company's information portfolio.

This session is designed to walk through steps to preserve important information/data, eliminate these legacy systems, and benefit a company by reducing unnecessary licensing and costs.

During this discussion we will explore:

Legacy Systems as an Asset or a Liability
Data Implication of 'sun setting' applications
Techniques for identifying what systems to eliminate
Steps to accomplish elimination
Tips for justifying to IT and Business Leadership

Dawn Michels is the Supervisor & Principal Enterprise Information Architect for the National Marrow Donor Program on the Enterprise Architecture Team. Prior to joining NMDP her work spanned multiple facets of data management in many industries including, Retail, Manufacturing, Medical Devices and Financial industries. Dawn's former employers include Lifetouch, Regis, Target, Andersen (Windows and Doors), Guidant Corp (now Boston Scientific), Fair Isaac Inc, Securian and General Mills, where she led the first Corp Wide DW. Dawn has spoken at fourteen International Data Conferences on assorted topics of interest, and speaks for other DAMA chapters around the country as requested. She is the current Past President of the DAMA MN chapter. Data is her passion as well as her vocation.