Application modernization
Application modernization is a key driver for the Government of Canada’s (GC) digital transformation efforts. It means updating and improving government software and digital tools to align with current technology standards.
Modernization strategies include moving to the cloud, making the code more flexible and scalable, or starting over with a new method. The benefits are enhanced functionality, user experience, security and efficiency that meet evolving business needs.
Legacy systems
Legacy systems are outdated programming or hardware that cannot adapt to new business requirements. As a result, these systems pose risks related to cyber attacks, security vulnerabilities and limitations in adding new features. Additionally, legacy systems often incur high maintenance costs.
While application rationalization streamlines an organization’s application portfolio by reducing redundant or obsolete systems, application modernization updates software to align with current standards and meet business needs.
Whole-of-GC approach
GC departments work with SSC and other GC organizations to assess existing applications, choose a modernization strategy, streamline processes, gather feedback, manage risks, prioritize applications and leverage cloud technologies.
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
The Office of the Chief Information Officer guides digital priorities in the GC. The GC’s Digital Ambition outlines key challenges and opportunities to strengthen government operations and align with digital trends for service delivery. This includes modernizing applications.
GC departments and agencies
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Application Hosting Strategy outlines roles for federal institutions in application modernization. It notes that federal institutions should continually strive to modernize their applications and develop a digital workforce to manage them. In particular, federal institutions should ensure that their applications are sustainable, have been modernized and are ready to be hosted ahead of launching a request.
Shared Services Canada
Shared Services Canada (SSC) plays a crucial role in guiding GC departments toward application modernization.
By partnering with SSC, GC departments gain access to technical assistance, tools and a standardized approach for modernizing applications across government. This collaborative approach maximizes value, reliability, predictability and reduces operating and maintenance costs, allowing money to be put toward transformation efforts.
How SSC is enhancing application modernization
GC organizations can modernize applications cost-effectively and securely with SSC’s GC Application Platform as a Service. This web-based enterprise solution streamlines security, updates and hosting for commonly used applications, freeing departments to focus on their work rather than IT management.
SSC is also introducing GC Cloud One (available on GC networks only), a pre-authorized hosting solution that reduces set-up time by up to 6 months for partners. This enterprise-managed service, created and operated by SSC, facilitates a modernization approach by offering easy ways for partners to improve their applications.
Embracing modernization for success
Application modernization is essential for efficiency and meeting evolving needs. If you’re a GC department that wants to talk application modernization, please contact your SSC client executive (available on GC networks only) for support and guidance.