Many businesses stick with legacy systems because “they’re still working.” On the surface, it seems safer to wait. Upgrades can feel expensive, disruptive, and something that can be postponed.
But here’s the truth: doing nothing often ends up costing more.
Outdated software quietly drains time, money, productivity and security, and most organisations don’t realise how much until they start addressing the problem.
Let’s break it down.
Legacy systems can be surprisingly costly
Maintaining old technology can be a major financial drain.
To understand the scale of the problem, it helps to look at what’s happening here in Australia and globally. These figures come from enterprise-level studies across multiple regions, and together they show just how much outdated systems are holding businesses back.
Recent research shows:
- Companies spent an average of USD $2.9 million on legacy upgrades in 2023.
- Enterprises lose around USD $370 million per year due to technical debt.
- In Australia, businesses waste around AUD $136 million a year just managing outdated systems.
Much of this money is spent on patching and fixes, keeping outdated software running, and implementing workarounds for systems that no longer integrate.
This is why we created conn3ctedAI: a tool that helps companies perform legacy system modernisation efficiently, using current frameworks and architecture. Instead of pouring resources into maintaining old systems, conn3ctedAI allows businesses to move forward quickly without a long, disruptive rebuild.
Productivity loss quietly adds up
Slow systems and manual processes cost teams more than we often realise. Employees can spend hours each week:
- Re-entering data
- Moving files manually
- Switching between incompatible systems
- Waiting for reports to generate
All this wasted time can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Some industries even call it a “technical debt tax.” conn3ctedAI helps solve this by modernising outdated software faster and more reliably, freeing teams to focus on growth and improving customer experiences.
Security risks increase over time
Older systems tend to be more vulnerable, creating serious risks.
According to IBM:
- The average data breach in Australia costs AUD $4.26 million.
- Companies take around 266 days to identify and contain a breach.
Legacy systems are particularly vulnerable to Phishing (22%) and Stolen credentials (17%).
We use conn3ctedAI as part of our digital transformation and modernisation of old software, helping us replace outdated systems quickly and improve security across platforms.
Why taking action now matters
Avoiding upgrades may seem safe, but it comes with real costs:
Expensive maintenance
Lost productivity
Rising security risks
Falling behind competitors
Modernisation is more than a technical choice, it’s a strategic business decision. Performing legacy system modernisation and digital transformation ensures systems are efficient, secure and ready for growth.
conn3ctedAI was developed to help companies modernise quickly, consistently and efficiently. It transforms old systems and outdated software into modern platforms using current frameworks, enabling businesses to deliver results faster.
Delaying action might feel easier today, but moving forward ensures competitiveness tomorrow.