10 Legacy Modernization Examples: Lessons from Successful Transformations

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ooking for legacy modernization examples that can teach you how to transform? If you’ve ever wondered how businesses successfully move away from outdated systems, now is the time to find out. Clinging to legacy technology not only slows down operations but also consumes massive resources—55% of IT budgets are reportedly spent just “keeping the lights on.” From long approval cycles to manual workflows and heightened security risks, legacy systems can hold organizations back.

And at one major European bank, 70% of IT capacity was tied up maintaining legacy—proof of the drain on progress.  

In this article, we explore real-world examples of companies that embraced legacy app modernization, showing how upgrading processes and technology can reclaim speed, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

Why Legacy Modernization Matters? 

Legacy system used to once be a powered business, but today they drain resources, limit agility, and expose organizations to risk. A study in 2024 revealed that 65% of financial institutions and 67% of healthcare organizations experienced ransomware attacks, often targeting these vulnerable legacy systems. 

 For instance, the infamous 2017 Equifax breach, which exposed personal data of 147 million people, was traced back to an unpatched vulnerability in a legacy platform. 

Also, Ransomware incidents carry a heavy financial toll, with healthcare providers facing losses of nearly $900,000 per day in their systems staying offline. 

Modernization matters not just for this, it shifts focus from maintenance to innovation, enabling companies to move faster, deliver better customer experiences, and build a secure, future-ready foundation.  

Now let us explore the example of legacy modernization. 

Legacy Modernization Examples 

1. Unilever – Automated Supplier Onboarding (Procurement / Operations) 

Overview: Unilever, a global consumer goods giant, manages an extensive supplier network critical to its supply chain efficiency. 

• Legacy Challenge: Onboarding new suppliers was cumbersome, with spreadsheets and email approvals causing weeks-long delays. 

• Modernization: The company automated supplier registration, risk assessments, and internal approvals, streamlining the entire process. 

• Impact: Supplier onboarding now takes hours instead of weeks, procurement teams can focus on strategic initiatives, and compliance tracking is fully audit-ready. 

3. Singapore Government – Smart Permit Processing 

Overview: Singapore is renowned for leveraging digital systems to improve government efficiency and citizen services. 

• Legacy Challenge: Manual routing and inter-office memos caused delays in business permit approvals. 

• Modernization: A centralized digital workflow system now handles approvals, automated reminders, and decision tracking across departments. 

• Impact: Internal processes became faster, more transparent, and drastically more efficient, enabling timely services for businesses. 

4. Boeing – Collaborative Engineering Workflows 

Overview: Boeing, a global aerospace and defense leader, coordinates complex engineering projects across multiple sites. 

• Legacy Challenge: Design teams struggled with siloed CAD files and scattered email approvals, delaying internal reviews. 

• Modernization: Boeing introduced a digital workflow platform integrating design data, automated version approvals, and real-time collaboration tools. 

• Impact: Internal engineering decisions are now faster, compliance errors are reduced, and global teams collaborate seamlessly. 

5. Pfizer – Clinical Trial Internal Coordination 

Overview: Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical company, runs large-scale clinical trials requiring precise internal coordination. 

• Legacy Challenge: Paper-based approvals and manual tracking slowed decision-making and regulatory reporting. 

• Modernization: Automated internal workflows now handle trial approvals, data review, and compliance reporting. 

• Impact: Cross-department collaboration has improved, errors have been minimized, and trial processes are significantly faster. 

6. Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Internal Incident Response 

Overview: AWS, a global cloud services provider, manages highly complex IT operations that demand fast incident resolution. 

• Legacy Challenge: Manual escalation processes and fragmented dashboards slowed internal IT incident responses. 

• Modernization: Automated workflow routing, AI-driven prioritization, and centralized dashboards now handle internal incidents. 

• Impact: Faster incident resolution, improved cross-team collaboration, and reduced downtime for critical internal systems. 

7. Marriott International – HR Travel & Expense Approvals 

Overview: Marriott International, a global hospitality leader, manages travel and expense workflows for thousands of employees worldwide. 

• Legacy Challenge: Manual approvals created bottlenecks in HR workflows, delaying reimbursements and travel plans. 

• Modernization: Digital workflow platforms now automate approvals, verify expenses, and enforce policy compliance. 

• Impact: HR efficiency improved, processing time dropped significantly, and managers gained real-time visibility into workflows. 

8. Ford – Internal Product Development Workflows 

Overview: Ford, a global automotive manufacturer, coordinates internal design, engineering, and production approvals for vehicles. 

• Legacy Challenge: Slow and siloed internal approvals delayed product development cycles. 

• Modernization: Ford implemented a digital workflow platform for design, engineering, and operations approvals. 

• Impact: Product development accelerated, cross-functional collaboration improved, and errors were minimized. 

9. Mayo Clinic – Patient Data Internal Workflows 

Overview: Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit medical center known for integrating research and clinical care with operational efficiency. 

• Legacy Challenge: Paper-based forms and approvals delayed internal coordination between medical and administrative teams. 

• Modernization: Digital intake forms, automated approvals, and workflow tracking now streamline internal processes. 

• Impact: Coordination between doctors, nurses, and admin staff is faster, with fewer errors and improved operational efficiency. 

10. UPS – Logistics & Fleet Internal Workflow Automation 

Overview: UPS, a global logistics company, manages complex fleet operations and delivery workflows. 

• Legacy Challenge: Manual fleet updates and email coordination caused inefficiencies in routing and scheduling. 

• Modernization: Automated internal workflows now manage routing, maintenance scheduling, and SLA monitoring. 

• Impact: Decision-making is faster, delays are reduced, and overall operational efficiency has improved. 

11. HSBC – Internal Compliance & Risk Workflows 

Overview: HSBC, a global bank, requires precise internal compliance workflows to meet regulatory standards. 

• Legacy Challenge: Manual approvals slowed internal audits and compliance reporting. 

• Modernization: Workflow automation now manages regulatory checks, approvals, and risk monitoring internally. 

• Impact: Compliance decisions are faster, visibility is improved, and human error is minimized. 

12. Toyota – Internal Manufacturing & Quality Assurance Workflows 

Overview: Toyota, a pioneer in lean manufacturing, manages complex production and quality assurance workflows. 

• Legacy Challenge: Manual QA approvals and assembly line checks were fragmented and inefficient. 

• Modernization: Digital workflow systems now automate production approvals, defect tracking, and maintenance scheduling. 

• Impact: Internal manufacturing processes are streamlined, approvals are faster, and production downtime is reduced. 

AI Unlocking Legacy Systems 

AI is rapidly becoming a game-changer for legacy system modernization. By analyzing outdated code, mapping workflows, and suggesting process improvements, AI empowers organizations to optimize internal operations without the risks and costs of full system replacement.  

From banking to manufacturing, AI tools help teams understand complex legacy architectures, identify bottlenecks, and accelerate decision-making across departments. 

“Generative AI offers new ways to navigate and modernize legacy system challenges” – Forrester  

Key Ways AI Helps Unlock Legacy Systems: 

• Legacy Code Analysis: AI can examine old languages like COBOL or customized scripts, highlight dependencies, and guide developers on safe refactoring. 

• Workflow Optimization: Intelligent assistants detect bottlenecks in internal processes, recommend improvements, and simulate outcomes for better efficiency. 

• Automation Guidance: AI identifies repetitive manual tasks and suggests automation opportunities across HR, procurement, finance, and operations. 

• Cross-Department Collaboration: AI enables seamless communication between teams by providing a unified view of workflows and decision points. 

• Documentation & Compliance: Automatically generates technical documentation and compliance reports, reducing human error and saving time. 

• Incremental Modernization: Supports phased updates, allowing teams to modernize critical components first without disrupting business continuity. 

How to Migrate Legacy Applications to Modern Systems in 3 Steps? 

Migrating from legacy systems requires a structured approach. A well-planned strategy ensures minimal disruption while unlocking the full benefits of modernization. Here’s a practical roadmap: 

Step 1: Analyze Your Current System 

Start with a comprehensive audit of your existing applications. Identify whether challenges stem from the system’s state, behavior, or both. Look closely at areas such as performance bottlenecks, outdated workflows, and security vulnerabilities. Understanding the root causes will help you prioritize what needs to change during migration. 

Step 2: Assess the Value of Modernization 

Migration isn’t just about moving systems—it’s an opportunity to modernize. Evaluate which functions of your legacy system could be enhanced through modernization, whether through automation, cloud adoption, or workflow optimization. Migration and modernization often go hand-in-hand, and planning for both simultaneously ensures you maximize efficiency and ROI. 

Step 3: Reengineer, Optimize, and Document 

Simplicity is key. Reengineer your legacy applications to eliminate unnecessary complexity, optimize the technology stack, and streamline workflows. Take detailed documentation of architecture, processes, and dependencies. This reduces security risks, avoids tightly coupled systems, and sets the stage for smoother future upgrades or expansions. 

How Quixy Facilitates Seamless Legacy System Modernization 

At Quixy, we are a no-code platform equipped with low-code capabilities and integrated AI, designed to enable rapid application development (RAD) effortlessly. Our extensive experience in building modern technology solutions has empowered numerous clients to modernize their legacy systems while maintaining operational continuity. Here’s how we assist in this transformation: 

1. Rapid Application Development (RAD) with No-Code Low-Code Capabilities 

Quixy’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows users to develop applications swiftly without extensive coding knowledge. This accelerates the migration process from legacy systems to modern platforms. 

Success Story: 
Rua Al Madinah, a prominent real estate and hospitality group, leveraged Quixy to digitize their project management processes. By transitioning from manual methods to automated workflows, they reduced manual effort by 80%, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. 

2. Seamless Integration with Legacy Systems 

Our platform supports robust API and data integration, enabling legacy systems to connect with modern applications, databases, and third-party platforms. This ensures that modernization efforts enhance existing workflows without disruption. 

Success Story: 
Choithrams, a leading supermarket chain, utilized Quixy to integrate their legacy inventory management system with modern retail solutions. This integration streamlined operations and improved data accuracy across departments. 

3. AI-Driven Automation for Enhanced Efficiency 

Quixy now brings AI built directly into your workflows, acting as intelligent digital teammates that analyze data, make decisions, and execute tasks automatically, reducing manual effort and eliminating errors. Simply train an AI Agent by defining its role, the data to analyze, the expected outputs, and the actions it should perform, and it will autonomously handle assigned workflow steps with precision, whether it’s approvals, evaluations, or data-driven decisions.

Beyond workflow automation, Quixy’s AI assistant can generate complete business solutions end-to-end—creating forms, workflows, logic, permissions, integrations, and data models by interpreting your documents and understanding business logic, delivering fully functional applications within minutes for review and deployment.

Security and privacy are central: PII tagging, encryption, and data masking ensure sensitive information is protected at every stage, while real-time data badges on views provide instant insights, allowing teams to prioritize work efficiently.

Additional enhancements include expanded payment and signer options, dynamic business rules, controlled QR codes, voice note attachments, offline submissions with file uploads and e-signatures, and a compact, icon-based custom menu for a cleaner interface. Together, these AI-driven features empower citizen developers, streamline workflows, and help teams focus on innovation, making operations faster, smarter, and more secure.

Success Story: 
Yum! MENA, a major player in the foodservice industry, implemented Quixy’s AI-driven automation to optimize their supply chain processes. This initiative resulted in a 70% reduction in time and cost, demonstrating the power of legacy system modernization. 

4. Scalable and Secure Platform for Enterprise Needs 

Quixy offers a scalable and secure environment, ensuring that enterprise-grade applications are built and deployed with compliance and data protection in mind. 

Success Story: 
SAICO, a leading insurance company, adopted Quixy to modernize their claims processing system. The platform’s scalability and security features enabled SAICO to enhance service delivery while maintaining regulatory compliance. 

5. Cross-Department Collaboration and Transparency 

Our platform fosters collaboration across departments by providing centralized dashboards and real-time notifications, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned during the modernization process. 

Success Story: 
CCIL, a central counterparty clearing house, utilized Quixy to streamline their internal workflows. The result was a 70% reduction in business process time, highlighting the effectiveness of cross-departmental collaboration. 

Conclusion  

We’ve seen how leading organizations across industries—from manufacturing to finance, healthcare to government—are modernizing their legacy systems. Today, they’re focusing on R&D and other strategic areas, automating previously manual workflows to drive efficiency and innovation. 

But the question is: How long can your organization afford to lag behind while competitors accelerate with modern systems? 

Take the first step. Schedule a demo today, talk to our  Quixy experts, and gain a clear vision to transform workflows, streamline operations, and position your business for the future. The best time to modernize is now—don’t wait to unlock your organization’s true potential. 

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