IBM Application Modernization

Field Guide
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Application Modernization Field Guide
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modernization-field-guide

© Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 2018, 2021. US

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Continuously respond to the
rapid pace of change
Champion digital transformation and embrace agile ways of working
that fuel growth and keep you competitive. Optimize business operating
models within a hybrid cloud strategy to drive cost efficiency, increase
productivity, and create opportunities for innovation. To unlock the
value of a hybrid cloud approach, IT leaders need architectural flexibility
and leading technologies like AI to modernize apps for improved ROI
and faster time to market.

MODERNIZATION PROVIDES IMMEDIATE BENEFITS

Accelerate digital transformation. App modernization is driven by the

need to transform business to build new capabilities and deliver them
quickly.
Create a future-ready culture. Quickly develop and deliver new
applications and services through the adoption of a cloud-native
architecture, containerization, and AI accelerators.
Accelerate delivery. Adopt DevOps best practices to drive a culture of
automation and transformation.
Deploy enterprise applications on hybrid cloud platforms. Improve
efficiency by automating operations in your hybrid multicloud
environment.

What’s inside?
This field guide provides a high-level overview of IBM’s application
modernization approach.

LEARN IT GET STARTED

A summary of the concepts. Tips to start the journey to
modernize your apps.
 LEARN IT

Ready your applications for

the cloud
When you modernize your existing applications, you can ease your
move to the cloud with the full promise of cloud technology. With a
cloud-native microservices approach, you can capitalize on the scal-
ability and flexibility inherent to cloud. Modernizing your cloud-native
applications enables applications to run concurrently and seamlessly
connect with your existing investments. Barriers that prohibit produc-
tivity and integration are removed to create new user experiences and
develop new applications.

BUILD ONCE AND DEPLOY ON ANY CLOUD

Assess your applications. Identify apps that can be readily moved into
the cloud platform and those that will require refactoring.

Build applications quickly. Leverage containers as the foundation for

applications and services.

Automate deployments for productivity. DevOps pipelines automate

deployments quickly and reliably.

Consistently run and manage. Consolidate operations for all

applications into a common management approach to ensure reliability
and faster problem resolution.

Learn more

Check out the IBM Garage™.

https://www.ibm.com/garage

2
 Modernize your applications
quickly and safely using IBM
accelerators and tools.

IBM guides your cloud transformation journey with leading technology and
prescriptive guidance to help you achieve your business outcomes.
 LEARN IT

Modernization journey
To get started on your modernization journey, you must understand
the approaches that are available to rearchitect your estate. The IBM
Cloud® Transformation Advisor helps you select the best entry point
to deliver value at each step in your journey. IBM can assist you in
understanding the patterns to help you achieve your goals.

CHOOSE THE APPROACH THAT BEST FITS YOUR NEEDS

Containerize the monolith. Reduce costs and simplify operations by

moving applications to a cloud runtime. Start with one and then identify
sets of applications to move as a wave.

Expose on-premises assets with APIs. APIs enable legacy assets that
are difficult to enable to the cloud.

Refactor into macroservices. Break down monoliths into smaller

deployable components based on maturity, modernization objectives
and requirements.

Add new microservices. Innovate incrementally, reduce complexity,

and establish success early.

Strangle the monolith. Incrementally sunset the monolith.

Learn more

Check out the Application modernization architecture.

https://www.ibm.com/cloud/garage/architectures/application-modernization

4
 Mix and match your
approaches as needed!

Increase your delivery velocity throughout the journey.

 GET STARTED

Build on a trusted foundation

Container platforms, like Kubernetes, provide the foundation for
app modernization. This open source-based container management
system targets both development and operations staff. With
containerization, developers can treat configuration as code to
enable a modern DevOps toolchain. IBM provides a consistent
container platform for application modernization across IBM Cloud
–both public and private.

REDUCE COSTS & MINIMIZE DISRUPTIONS

IBM Cloud Paks. Enterprise-ready, containerized software solution

for modernizing existing applications and developing new cloud-
native apps that run on Red Hat® OpenShift®.

Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. Based on the Kubernetes

container orchestration project, Red Hat OpenShift is the starting
point. A strong foundation with resiliency and security in the
forefront is essential.

Deploy anywhere. Use any public or private cloud provider.

Learn more

Check out IBM Cloud Paks®.

https://www.ibm.com/cloud/paks/

6
 IBM delivers enterprise software for cloud running on the
Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, based on Kubernetes.
 GET STARTED

Assess your app portfolio

Before tackling the job of modernizing your applications, you need to
understand your application inventory and how it aligns with business
priorities. This will help you determine the best technical path to
modernization and evaluate the effort required.

APPLICATION MODERNIZATION IS BUSINESS MODERNIZATION

Align to your business priorities. Understand where your business

needs are driving you to modernize.

Take inventory of your apps. Run IBM Cloud Transformation Advisor

to collect information from your existing Java environment and
recommend modernization activities.

Spend your modernization dollars wisely. Make better decisions by

understanding how your application portfolio aligns to your business
priorities.

Learn more

Check out the IBM Cloud Transformation Advisor tool.

ibm.biz/cloudta

8
 Advice based on IBM’s
expertise!

Get expert tailored advice about your modernization options.

 GET STARTED

Align priorities and options

Classify your application modernization portfolio by choosing
an optimal combination of modernization techniques and effort
required to meet your business goals.

NOT ALL APPLICATIONS ARE CREATED EQUAL

Simplify. Understand where your business needs are driving you to

modernize. Run IBM Cloud Transformation Advisor to gain clarity on
your modernization options.

Select the right modernization approach. Evaluate all possible

modernization options relative to their complexity, cost, and
business value.

Plan and prioritize. Plan your modernization based on matching

effort to business priorities. Your first few projects should be both
short in duration and high in potential business value.

Learn more

Check out IBM Cloud Transformation Advisor.

ibm.biz/cloudta

10
Choose a modernization approach based on your
application code timeline and appetite for risk.
 GET STARTED

Containerize your apps

Wrapping an application in a container image is a good first step
toward modernization, but many applications are not optimized for
containers. Load balancing, application state handling, and monitor-
ing are different in containerized applications. As a result, you might
need to rewrite portions of your applications. Likewise, performance
tuning and DevOps processes must be aligned to containers.

YOU WRAPPED YOUR APP IN A CONTAINER IMAGE - NOW

WHAT?

Adapt your applications. If you have existing IBM® WebSphere®

applications from a non-cloud environment, the IBM Cloud Pak
product family and IBM WebSphere Hybrid Edition include pre-built
containerized middleware and services to support your journey.

Modernize your DevOps and configuration. Automatically generate

pipelines for new applications as well as orchestration tools that
automate configuration.

Consolidate and standardize operations. Manage and monitor

operations based on open container technologies.

Learn more

Check out the Application modernization architecture.

https://www.ibm.com/cloud/garage/architectures/application-
modernization

12
 






































 




 














Containerized middleware and applications are key to moving

to modern development and operations approaches.
 GET STARTED

Adopt a modern application

platform
Moving to the cloud can be a large and complex effort. You will need
to carefully review your business inventory and prepare infrastruc-
ture to determine the best path forward for each application. If you
are running on a WebSphere platform, you can use Transformation
Advisor (part of the IBM WebSphere Hybrid Edition) to facilitate your
journey.

A CLOUD-FIRST FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE

Build cloud-native microservices. Build new applications with IBM

WebSphere Liberty, a light-weight runtime optimized for cloud.

Extend with new services. Use IBM WebSphere Liberty containers

to modernize and extend existing WebSphere applications.

Migrate unchanged apps. Containerize your traditional IBM

WebSphere apps and use common operational services, including
logging and monitoring.

Adopt standardized operations. Achieve scalability, availability,

maintainability, and security with Kubernetes.

Learn more

Check out the Application modernization architecture.

https://www.ibm.com/cloud/garage/architectures/application-
modernization

14
Your WebSphere app investments have served your business
well; migrate them to a cloud-first container platform and
extend their reach to new cloud-native apps via APIs.
 GET STARTED

Refactor
Refactoring is the process of replacing existing, hard to maintain
code with new, better code in a piecewise way. You “strangle” the
old monolith by replacing each business function incrementally.

MODERNIZE INTELLIGENTLY

Productivity. Refactoring an application to microservices improves

developer productivity and allows you to quickly release more code.

Scalability. Refactoring to a more scalable architecture should be

done incrementally. It’s important to provide real business value at
each step in the refactoring process.

Containerize. Repackage your monolith as an IBM WebSphere

Liberty or Open Liberty container. Then add new containers to your
solution as you separate business functions into new microservices.
Use IBM Mono2Micro to identify optimal microservice candidates.

Learn more

Check out the Application modernization architecture.

https://www.ibm.com/cloud/garage/architectures/application-
modernization

16
When you replace a monolith piecewise, you gain
efficiency and business value at each step.
 GET STARTED

Expose and integrate

Some existing applications are best exposed as APIs that are easily
reused for building new capabilities that augment the existing
application. You can then leverage those APIs to integrate future
applications into the ecosystem. Running on Red Hat OpenShift,
IBM Cloud Pak for Integration gives you agility to deploy and run
workloads on-premises and on private and public clouds.

UNLOCK BUSINESS VALUE FROM EXISTING SYSTEMS

Expose. Expose existing value as REST APIs for easy access from
any endpoint.

Manage. Place APIs under management control to improve security,

performance and visibility.

Leverage. New applications can build on freshly-exposed APIs

from existing applications without requiring changes to existing
applications.

Learn more

Check out IBM Cloud Pak® for Integration.

https://www.ibm.com/cloud/cloud-pak-for-integration

18
Simplify the management of your integration architecture and reduce
cost with IBM Cloud Pak for Integration.
 GET STARTED

Modernize operations
After an application is pushed to production, it must be managed.
Cloud service management and operations addresses the operation-
al aspect of your application and services. Applications are moni-
tored to ensure availability and performance according to service
level agreements. As methods to develop, test, and release new
functions become more agile, service management must also trans-
form to support this paradigm shift.

REINVENT YOUR CLOUD OPERATIONS

Build to manage. Developers use a set of standards and solutions

to make the application manageable and ensure that the application
will meet service level objectives.

Monitoring & logging. Leverage container platform tools to monitor

metrics and logs to determine application health. Become proactive
and fix things before users are aware an issue exists.

Communication & collaboration. Use tools and automation,

including chat applications, issue and project tracking systems to
keep everyone informed.

Learn more

Check out the Service management architecture.

https://www.ibm.com/cloud/garage/architectures/
serviceManagementArchitecture

20
Containerized middleware and applications are key to moving
to modern development and operations approaches.
 GET STARTED

What are IBM Cloud Paks?

IBM Cloud Paks are AI-powered software for hybrid cloud that can
help you fully implement intelligent workflows in your business
to accelerate digital transformation. Tap into the power of IBM
Watson® to apply AI to your business to predict and shape future
outcomes, automate complex processes, optimize your employees’
time and create more meaningful and secure customer experiences.

Built on Red Hat OpenShift, develop applications once and deploy

them anywhere on any cloud, integrate security across the breadth
of your IT estate, and automate your operations with management
visibility. IBM Cloud Paks have a common foundation of enterprise
components that accelerate development, deliver seamless integra-
tion, and help enhance collaboration and efficiency.

Learn more

Check out IBM Cloud Paks.

https://www.ibm.com/cloud/paks/

22
IBM Cloud Pak for Data. Simplify data management, governance,
analytics and data science with a fully integrated, containerized cloud-
native data and AI platform. Built on Red Hat OpenShift, you can
accelerate your journey to AI with an open platform that runs on any
cloud or on-premises.

IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation. Deploy on any cloud, with
low-code tools for business users and real-time performance visibility
for business managers. Migrate your automation runtimes without
application changes or data migration. Automate at scale without
vendor lock-in.

IBM Cloud Pak for Watson AIOps. Deploy advanced, explainable

AI across the ITOps toolchain to confidently assess, diagnose, and
resolve incidents across workloads. Improve responsiveness and
reduce risk with AI at the core of your IT operations.

IBM Cloud Pak for Integration. Automate integrations to improve

application speed and quality. Embed AI and automation across
the integration lifecycle by applying AI to real-world operational
data to identify issues and recommendations, and drive continuous
improvement. Speed integration development, reduce costs, increase
operational efficiency and maintain enhanced security, governance,
and availability.

IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation. Transform your network

with an AI-powered, Telco cloud platform to enable the automation
of network operations, evolve to zero-touch operations, reduce OPEX,
and deliver services faster.

IBM Cloud Pak for Security. Uncover hidden threats, make more
informed risk-based decisions, and respond to incidents faster. Using
an open security platform, connect to your existing data sources for
deeper insights and act faster with automation.
 GET STARTED

Develop apps for today and

tomorrow
IBM WebSphere Hybrid Edition provides the tools to increase effi-
ciency, reduce costs, and maximize ROI. You can modernize your
existing applications with IBM’s integrated tools and more quickly
develop new cloud-native applications for deployment on any cloud.

TOOLS YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Optimize existing entitlements. Realign your entitlements based on

your current business needs. Migrate cores of IBM WebSphere and
IBM WebSphere ND to IBM WebSphere Liberty to increase server
capacity and decrease costs.

Modernize applications. Use IBM Cloud Transformation Advisor

and IBM Mono2Micro to help assess the cloud readiness of your
applications. Assess the complexity of your migrations and explore
the options for using containers and microservices.

Cloud-enable new applications. Prepare your estate so you can

build all new applications directly on the cloud with IBM WebSphere
Liberty.

Learn more

Check out IBM WebSphere Hybrid Edition.

https://www.ibm.com/cloud/websphere-hybrid-edition

24
 GET STARTED

Incremental & continuous

modernization
IBM Services offers skills, methods, and tools that can help you
continuously modernize, build, and manage applications to achieve
your business and IT outcomes.

Build a modernization roadmap. Develop an application modernization

roadmap that is underpinned by modernization patterns and solutions,
and supported by our application modernization architecture to
minimize risk and deliver with speed.

Accelerate your modernization journey with tools and accelerators.

Modernize your application portfolio using IBM’s tools and accelerators,
and DevSecOps principles to improve your time to market and better
compete in a changing industry.

Deliver using a new operating model. To sustain value, your

modernization program requires change to your operating model. IBM
can help you design a flexible platform that meets future-state needs
with AI powered tooling that orchestrates and automates your journey
to application modernization.

Learn more

Increase agility with application modernization.

https://www.ibm.com/services/cloud/modernize-applications

26
Modernize your applications with agility, speed, and scale with
IBM Services.
 GET STARTED

IBM Garage - Accelerate your

journey
Modernization comes in many flavors and rewriting your entire estate
is not feasible. Big bang modernization efforts are risky, so it is best to
break large initiatives into smaller projects with measurable impact.
Your goal is to accelerate value, continuously modernize, deliver
frequently, and reduce risk. IBM Garage experts can help.

REFACTOR WHAT’S NECESSARY, BUT DON’T NECESSARILY

REFACTOR

Co-create. Identify a business modernization opportunity. Define and

build the MVP with your squad, get feedback, and co-create a solution.

Co-execute. Manage risk by choosing the right approach to modernize

your current estate. Accelerate your journey through automation and
technology.

Co-operate. Harden for production, standardize operations, and

improve DevOps efficiency across your application estate.

Learn more

Check out the IBM Garage.

https://www.ibm.com/garage

28
 Modernize your applications
quickly and safely using our
accelerators and tools.

Engage IBM’s Garage experts!

Cloud modernization roadmap
Measure s!!
outcomes Succes
Plan MVP
Design
workshops
Learn from
Test, pilot, feedback
prove

IBM Garage offers a unique approach to enable business, development

and operations to continuously design and deliver a compelling application
modernization strategy.
Notes:

IBM WebSphere Hybrid

Edition: Get started!!
https://www.ibm.com/cloud/
ed
websphere-hybrid-edition/get-start

Check out IBM Cloud r

Transformation Adviso
ibm.biz/cloudta
 Application Modernizat
architecture ion
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architectures/applicat/c loud/garage/
ion-modernization

Check out Cloud Pak for

Integration
d-
https://www.ibm.com/cloud/clou
pak-for-integration

See Application modernization

services from IBM
d/
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Visit an IBM Garage
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IBM APPLICATION MODERNIZATION

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