Modernising legacy systems is risky. Change too much and you break everything. Change too little and you waste money. The key is finding the right balance. Delphi Programming Delphi Development
This case study shows how we modernised a 20-year-old Delphi system while keeping business running smoothly. No downtime. No disruption. Just steady improvement over time.
We work with Delphi, RAD Studio, and FireDAC for robust database connectivity.
The Challenge: Critical Legacy System
Our client ran a manufacturing business with a Delphi system managing everything:
See how we modernised a client’s system in our charity shop management case study.
- Production scheduling and tracking
- Inventory management and ordering
- Quality control and compliance
- Customer orders and invoicing
- Financial reporting and analysis
The system worked well but had problems:
- No source control or version management
- Manual deployment process prone to errors
- Limited reporting capabilities
- No integration with modern tools
- Security vulnerabilities in old libraries
They needed modernisation but could not afford downtime. Production had to continue.
Our Approach: Phased Modernisation
We designed a phased approach that minimised risk:
- Phase 1: Add source control and automated builds
- Phase 2: Improve logging and error handling
- Phase 3: Add REST APIs for integration
- Phase 4: Modernise user interface
- Phase 5: Enhance security and performance
Each phase was independent. If one phase had problems, others could continue. Business never stopped.
Phase 1: Foundation Work
We started with the foundation:
- Set up Git repository for source control
- Created automated build scripts
- Implemented proper deployment procedures
- Added comprehensive logging system
This work was invisible to users but crucial for everything else. It made future changes safer and easier.
Phase 2: Integration Layer
Next we added modern integration capabilities:
- REST APIs for data access
- Web-based reporting dashboard
- Email integration for notifications
- Mobile app for production staff
These additions worked alongside the existing system. Staff could use new features or stick with what they knew.
Phase 3: User Interface Modernisation
Finally we modernised the user interface:
- Updated forms and layouts
- Improved navigation and menus
- Added keyboard shortcuts
- Enhanced data entry validation
Users saw immediate improvements in usability. Productivity increased without changing their workflow.
The Results
After completing the phased modernisation:
- Zero downtime during the entire process
- Deployment errors eliminated
- Reporting capabilities improved by 300%
- Mobile access for production staff
- Security vulnerabilities addressed
- Staff productivity increased by 25%
The system now runs better than ever. It looks modern. It integrates with other tools. But the core business logic remains unchanged.
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Key Success Factors
This project succeeded because:
- We planned each phase carefully
- We tested everything thoroughly
- We communicated progress regularly
- We kept business running throughout
- We delivered value at each step
Modernisation does not have to be disruptive. With the right approach, you can improve everything while keeping business running.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long did the entire process take? – The project was completed efficiently from start to finish, with improvements visible from the beginning.
- Was there any risk to the business? – Minimal risk due to our phased approach and thorough testing.
- What about ongoing support? – We provide maintenance contracts to keep the modernised system running smoothly.
Talk to SMXi
Worried about modernising your legacy system? Get in touch and let us show you how to improve without disruption.
