Transforming a Monolithic Application for Cost-Efficient, Scalable Cloud-Native Migration

Project Overview

Our client aimed to modernize their flexible electronic document management system (EDM), transitioning it from a legacy, on-premises application to a cloud-native architecture. By migrating to the cloud, they sought scalability, reduced infrastructure management, and enhanced cost-efficiency. Lacking in-house cloud expertise, they engaged us to redesign the application from the ground up, aligning it with cloud-native principles migration and unlocking new revenue channels.

Cloud-Native Migration Challenges

1. Legacy, Single-Tenant Structure
Originally built as a single-tenant application, the EDM was restricted to individual organizations. Key features like document processing and user management were tightly coupled, limiting scalability and impeding the shift to a multi-tenant, SaaS model.

2. Inflexible, Monolithic Architecture
The monolithic design of the legacy system constrained its scalability and deployment capabilities. Moving to a cloud-native, microservices-based approach was necessary to facilitate horizontal scaling, efficient resource allocation, and easier maintenance.

3. Outdated Tech Stack
The legacy application relied on SOAP APIs and outdated Java frameworks, which were incompatible with modern cloud-native platforms. Upgrading to a current tech stack was critical for improved performance, security, and the ability to integrate with modern services.

4. Security and Cost Limitations
On-premises network assumptions left the legacy system with minimal security. The cloud-native migration required robust security features, along with a cost-effective cloud environment. To optimize costs, we implemented a Linux-based container deployment.

Cloud-Native Development Strategy

Our cloud-native approach included microservices, containerization, message brokering, and distributed caching. DevOps best practices supported continuous integration, delivery, and scaling.

Key Cloud-Native Solution Components

1. Microservices Architecture & Containerization
We decomposed the monolithic application into over 15 microservices, each handling discrete functions like document processing and authentication. Each service was containerized with Docker and orchestrated by Kubernetes, enabling:

• Dynamic Scaling: Services scale independently based on load.
• Cross-Platform Consistency: Consistent deployment across development, staging, and production.
• Modularity: Independent development, deployment, and updates reduced dependencies, enhancing flexibility.

2. Message Brokering with Azure Service Bus
Azure Service Bus enabled asynchronous, event-driven messaging across services, replacing legacy in-app communication. This decoupling improved resilience, supported high throughput, and allowed microservices to operate without dependencies.

3. Distributed Caching with Azure Cache for Redis
Replacing in-memory caching, we implemented Azure Cache for Redis for centralized, shared data access across microservices, providing:

• Fault Tolerance: Data availability persists even if individual services fail.
• Improved Performance: Low-latency data retrieval, critical for high-frequency user requests.

4. Unified Authentication with Identity Provider (IdP)
We replaced disparate authentication methods with a centralized Identity Provider (IdP) supporting Single Sign-On (SSO), providing secure, synchronized access across services and eliminating redundant user sessions.

5. CI/CD Pipelines and DevOps Automation
Automated CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps ensured continuous integration, testing, and delivery, featuring:

• Automated Testing: Each code push triggered unit and integration tests, minimizing production issues.
• Deployment Flexibility: Configurable pipelines enabled staging and production deployments on demand.
• Version Control and Rollbacks: Each release was version-controlled, with quick rollback capabilities, enhancing reliability.

6. Smart Scaling & Cost Management
Kubernetes’ autoscaling and Azure budget tracking tools facilitated resource efficiency:

• Horizontal Pod Autoscaling: Services scale dynamically based on CPU and memory usage.
• Budget Tracking in Azure: Real-time spend alerts enabled proactive cost management.

Enhanced Functionality and Accessibility

Increased Accessibility & SaaS Readiness
Transitioning to a multi-tenant, cloud-native architecture expanded the application’s accessibility. Now accessible via a web interface, it eliminated the need for desktop applications and associated infrastructure, opening access to a broader audience. Previously, customers required dedicated networks, servers, and costly support contracts; now, the application is usable as a standard web-based service.

Subscription-Based Monetization Model
With Azure’s service-grade tiers, we enabled a subscription model that caters to businesses of all sizes. This flexibility allows scaling based on customer requirements, aligning costs with usage needs.

Efficient Tenant Management
Automated onboarding and tenant isolation scripts streamlined multi-tenant deployments, allowing new customers to be onboarded quickly and securely without manual intervention.

Advanced Capabilities with GenAI Support

Following the cloud-native migration, the application was enhanced with Generative AI capabilities. The re-architected system now leverages AI for routine and repetitive tasks, delivering high accuracy with minimal errors. This improvement not only increases operational efficiency but also enables intelligent automation for a wide range of company processes, from HR to general ledger workflows.

Cloud-Native Migration Outcomes

The migration resulted in reduced development and support requirements, lowering operational costs and allowing for more efficient resource allocation. With cloud-native accessibility, a new type of audience—companies of all sizes—can now benefit from the EDM system, driving new revenue streams. GenAI integration further enhances the system, providing intelligent automation for a variety of business needs.

Ready to Transform with Cloud-Native Expertise?

First Line Software’s cloud-native migration approach enables scalable, efficient migrations tailored for growth. Contact us to unlock the full potential of cloud-native architecture for your legacy applications.