How to Modernize Legacy Systems with Azure Cloud Services
                     How to Modernize 
 
Legacy Systems with 
Azure Cloud Services
Transform your aging infrastructure into agile, 
scalable, and secure cloud-native solutions
www.hexacorp.com
The Legacy System 
Challenge
Legacy systems drain resources, stifle innovation, Limited 
and expose organizations to significant security SAlogwi lrietsyponse to market changes and 
vulnerabilities. These aging platforms are costly to customer demands
maintain, inflexible to changing business needs, 
and increasingly difficult to integrate with modern Scala bility 
technologies. CUnoanblse ttroa hianndtsle growth or seasonal 
demand spikes
Consider this: The Royal Navy spent $9 million just 
to extend Windows XP support—funds that could 
have driven innovation instead of maintaining Innov ation Barriers
obsolete infrastructure. Difficult to integrate AI, analytics, or 
modern tools
 
Why Choose Microsoft Azure for 
Modernization?
Global Infrastructure
60+  regions worldwide with 90+ compliance certifications ensure your 
applications run where you need them, meeting regulatory requirements 
across industries and geographies.
Flexible Compute 
From traOdiptiotniaoln VsMs to cutting-edge Kubernetes orchestration and serverless 
functions—Azure provides the right compute model for every workload and 
 modernization strategy.
Advanced Data Services
Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB for global distribution, and Data Factory for ETL 
pipelines deliver enterprise-grade data management with built-in intelligence.
 
Industry-Leading Security
Azure Active Directory, Defender for Cloud, and comprehensive threat protection 
 safeguard your modernized systems with zero-trust architecture and continuous 
monitoring.
Key Benefits of Migrating Legacy Systems to 
Azure
C ost Optimization
Eliminate expensive hardware refresh cycles and reduce maintenance 
1 overhead with pay-as-you-go pricing. Azure Reserved Instances and 
Spot VMs offer up to 80% savings for predictable workloads.
Enhanced Security & Compliance
2 Built-in security controls, automated compliance monitoring, and advanced threat protection exceed what most on-premises systems can 
achieve. Meet HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, and industry-specific requirements.
Elastic Scalability
3 Scale resources up or down instantly to meet evolving business demands. Handle seasonal traffic spikes without overprovisioning 
infrastructure during quiet periods.
Accelerated Innovation
4 Integrate AI/ML capabilities, implement DevOps practices, and leverage cloud-native architectures to bring new features to market faster and 
stay ahead of competition.
Modernization Strategies: From Lift-and-Shift to 
Choose the right approach based on your application complexity, business requirements, and modernization timeline.
Rebuild
Rehost (Lift-and-
Migrate apSphliicfatt)ions to Azure IaaS with minimal changes. Fastest 
path to cloud with immediate infrastructure benefits while deferring 
code optimization.
Refacto
rOptimize applications for cloud environments with minor code 
modifications. Leverage PaaS services like Azure App Service to 
reduce operational overhead.
Rearchite
Dctecompose monolithic applications into microservices using Azure 
Kubernetes Service (AKS). Achieve independent scaling, faster 
deployments, and improved resilience.
Rebuil
Devdelop cloud-native applications from scratch using serverless 
computing, containers, and managed services. Maximum agility 
and innovation with full cloud-native architecture.
Azure Tools & Services Powering 
Modernization
Migration & Assessment
Az ure Migrate provides discovery, assessment, and migration tools for servers, 
databases, and web applications. App Service Migration Assistant automates .NET 
app transitions with compatibility analysis.
Development & 
 
DAzeurpel DoeyvmOpes nentables CI/CD pipelines, while GitHub Copilot accelerates 
development with AI-powered code suggestions, reducing modernization timeline by 
up to 40%.
Monitoring & Diagnostics
Az ure Monitor provides comprehensive observability with metrics, logs, and 
distributed tracing. Application Insights detects performance anomalies before they 
impact users.
Hybrid Cloud Management
 
Azure Arc extends Azure management to on-premises, multi-cloud, and edge 
environments, enabling consistent governance during phased migrations.
Prioritizing Your Modernization 
Journey
03
01  
 
Comprehensive Assessment Phased Migration Planning
Design a staged approach that minimizes disruption to 
Catalog all applications, databases, andinfrastructure 
operations. Start with non-critical workloads to validate 
dependencies. Identify technical debt, security vulnerabilities, 
processes, then progressively migrate mission-critical 
and integration complexity to build a complete modernization 
applications.
inventory. 
02 04
Critical System Identification Business Alignment
Prioritize legacy systems based on business impact, security Ensure modernization strategy supports business objectives—
risk, maintenance costs, and modernization complexity. Focus whether cost reduction, faster time-to-market, improved 
first on high-value, lower-risk candidates for early wins. customer experience, or regulatory compliance requirements.
Real-World Success: Transforming IBM Mainframe Apps
From Mainframe to Modern Cloud
Organizations have successfully migrated mission-critical IBM mainframe 
applications to Azure, achieving remarkable transformations in 
performance, cost, and capability.
60 3 99.9
Cost Performance Uptime 
LoRw%eedr uocpteiroantional BFaxosotesrt processing SEnLhAa%nced reliability 
expenses compared to with modern compute and disaster recovery 
mainframe maintenance infrastructure capabilities
 
The migration enabled seamless integration with AI-powered analytics, advanced collaboration tools like Microsoft 
Teams, and modern DevOps practices—capabilities nearly impossible to achieve on legacy mainframe infrastructure.
Overcoming Common Challenges
Application Compatibility Zero Downtime Requirements
Azure supports diverse workloads including Windows, Implement blue-green deployments, database replication, 
Linux, and legacy platforms. Azure SQL Managed and traffic management to ensure business continuity. 
  
Instance provides near-100% compatibility with on- Azure Traffic Manager enables seamless cutover during 
premises SQL Server, minimizing code changes. migration.
Database Migration Complexity Skills & Operational Readiness
 
Azure Database Migration Service handles schema 
Microsoft provides comprehensive training, certifications, 
conversion, data transfer, and validation with minimal 
and 24/7 support. Managed services and Azure Expert 
downtime. Supports migrations from Oracle, SQL Server, 
MSPs bridge skills gaps during transition periods.
MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
 
Unlock Business Agility and Future-Proof Your 
IT
Azure modernization delivers immediate cost savings, enhanced 
security posture, and the foundation for continuous innovation. 
Transform legacy constraints into competitive advantages.
 
www.hexacorp.com