Legacy data is information that is stored either within outdated systems or in outdated formats that don’t work with your current apps, making integration with your current data a nightmare. For software uses, this typically means an on-premise system with archived files, outdated formats, and systems that have been retired or replaced.

But what is legacy data, and how can you handle it without headaches? By understanding the importance of legacy data and its associated challenges, you can create the perfect strategy to tackle legacy data management.

What is Legacy Data?

Legacy data is old or historical information from a business system, and it builds up over time as more data is accumulated. It isn’t used daily, but it’s still important to keep it in case you need to reference it later for taxes or audits.

Some examples of legacy data include:

  • Data in outdated file formats that can’t be opened in current system.
  • Archived emails stored in old systems.
  • Legacy CRM or ERP system data.
  • Backups that can’t be restored due to compatibility issues.

Managing your legacy data comes with its own challenges, but by doing it correctly, you can turn data fragmentation and broken workflows into a streamlined process that makes data retrieval easy.

Legacy Data Importance and Challenges

It’s important for you to be able to manage your legacy data effectively, but that isn’t always the easiest thing to do. The architecture of legacy systems wasn’t designed for the scale of modern business operations, and trying to shoehorn a makeshift solution becomes expensive and unreliable.

With the right management system, you can easily audit, organize, and clean up your legacy data, and set your team up for success.

Why is Legacy Data Important?

Making sure you and your team have access to accurate legacy data is essential for any organization’s long-term health. Having organized and accessible legacy data within modernized systems helps with:

  • Compliance: Keeping your legacy data organized and secure ensures you stay compliant with industry privacy standards.
  • Efficiency: Well-organized data makes it easier for your team to find the right information quickly.
  • Security: Modernized systems protect your legacy data with encryption, firewalls, and other advanced security measures.
  • Decision Making: Being able to access your legacy data allows your team to identify trends so they can make better business decisions.

With a proper legacy data management system, your team will be able to access your legacy data efficiently. More efficient data access paves the way for more streamlined systems company-wide.

Managing Legacy Data

Managing legacy data comes with its fair share of challenges. Companies often run into trouble with:

  • Storage & Maintenance Costs
  • Data Fragmentation
  • Compliance Challenges
  • Data Security Concerns
  • Scalability Challenges
  • Data Accessibility Challenges

You need to address every concern so you can take advantage of the perks that come with organized legacy data. By auditing, cleansing, and archiving your data accordingly, you’ll put yourself in a great position to start.

Before jumping into solutions for helping you manage your legacy data, ask yourself these questions:

  • What qualifies as “legacy data” for your organization specifically?
  • What kind of data needs to be kept and for how long?
  • Where are you storing all your legacy data?
  • How will you ensure you still have access to all your legacy data?
  • Do you have the capabilities to manage legacy data in-house, or do you need outside help?

Once you have the answers to those questions, you can start exploring data management options. Software like Popdock and SmartConnect from eOne Solutions helps with integration and migration, keeping your data organized, and making it easier to manage both your legacy data and your current data.

Legacy Data Integration with Popdock

Keeping track of your data is important, but years and years of old data can bog down your system with information you don’t use anymore. That’s why it’s important to invest in a management system for your legacy data. When migrating systems, make sure your data is taken care of with Popdock.

With seamless legacy data migration and virtual integration, the eOne iPaaS allows you to take control over your data. Move the data you need right away (like master records and open balances) with SmartConnect.

Make accessing and using your legacy data easier with Popdock. Whether you’re using Azure’s Microsoft Data Lake Storage, Amazon Web Services (AWS), or another cloud storage option, Popdock has the connectors you need to unlock the full potential of your data.

With eOne Solutions, you can make sure your legacy data stays accessible, future-proofing your records. Please contact us with any questions on how Popdock and SmartConnect can help you integrate, migrate, and access your legacy data.