Integration of a new system architecture without competing with the inherited infrastructure | By Hemangibavasiya | March 2025

In the digital world to the rapid rate of today, organizations are constantly improving their system architecture to improve scalability, safety and efficiency. However, the integration of new technologies into the existing inherited infrastructure has significant challenges. Mally planned integration can lead to performance bottlenecks, data inconsistencies and security vulnerabilities.

This blog explores best practices to integrate the architecture of new systems while guaranteeing compatibility with inherited systems, minimization of disturbances and maintaining the continuity of activities.

Inherited systems, often built on obsolete frames and architectures, are deeply anchored in commercial operations. Some key challenges include:

• Incompatibility: Inherited systems may not support modern APIs, cloud solutions or microservices.
• Data silos: Ancient databases can store data in proprietary formats, making integration difficult.
• Security risks: Inherited systems can lack modern security protocols, exposing vulnerabilities.
• Scalability limits: Monolithic architectures are struggling to evolve effectively compared to native solutions in the cloud.

Before joining new components, perform a complete analysis of the inherited system:

• Existing components inventory: Dependence on documents, data structures and communication protocols.
• Identify the bottlenecks: Determine what areas can cause performance degradation.
• Evaluate integration points: Understand how the new architecture will interact with existing components.

👉 Tool recommendation: To use Corporate architecture modeling tools Like Archimer, Lucidchart or Visio to view the system outbuildings.

A progressive deployment guarantees stability and makes it possible to monitor the behavior of the system before complete deployment.

• Parallel run: Simultaneously operate the inheritance and new systems before depreciating old components.
• Module migration per module: Move features in stages rather than a complete overhaul.
• A / B test: Run controlled experiences to assess the impact of new components of the system.

🔍 Case study: Netflix has successfully passed from a monolithic architecture to the microservices by migrating the services one at a time rather than a complete rewriting.

No integration is without risk, so always have an emergency plan:

• Backup of snapshots: Take regular backups before deploying major changes.
• Characteristics features: Use functionality tips to activate / deactivate new features instantly.
• Automated back scripts: Implement the scripts that return to the previous state if a problem arises.

⚙️ Example: Facebook largely uses functionality flags, allowing them to instantly reintegrate problematic updates without affecting the entire system.

API bridges act as an intermediary between inheritance and modern applications, allowing transparent data exchange.

• Data transformation: Convert data formats inherited into modern APIs (for example, XML into JSON).
• Safety improvements: Implement the authentication layers (OAUTH, JWT) without modifying the inherited code.
• Load balance: Distribute requests effectively to avoid performance problems.

🛠️ Recommended tools: Kong Api Gateway, AWS Api Gateway, Mulesoft Anypoint Platform.

Ensure the consistency of data between new and old systems is crucial.

• Pipelines ETL (extract, transform, load): Extract inherited data, transform them in the required format and load it into the new system.
• Architecture focused on the event: Use event streaming tools like Kafka to synchronize real -time updates between systems.
• Federation of the database: Authorize the question of data both both the inherited databases and the new databases.

📌 Example: Shopify uses an architecture focused on events to synchronize inventory data on several platforms in real time.

Many inherited systems are on site, while new architectures often use cloud technologies. A hybrid cloud approach helps:

• Extend the inherited systems: Use cloud services without completely withdrawing the infrastructure on site.
• Ensure continuity of activities: Migrate workloads gradually without disturbing operations.
• Improve security: Use cloud -based safety solutions to compensate for the vulnerabilities of the inherited system.

🌐 Hybrid cloud suppliers: AWS Outposts, Microsoft Azure Arc, Google Anthos.

Here is a high level architecture of the integration of modern components with inherited systems:

                   +----------------------------+
|      New System (Cloud)    |
+----------------------------+
|
v
+----------------------------+
|  API Gateway (Middleware)  |
+----------------------------+
|
--------------------------------------
|                                    |
+----------------------+         +----------------------+
|    Legacy Database   |  <--->  |  Modern Database     |
+----------------------+         +----------------------+

The successful integration of the architecture of the new system with an inherited infrastructure requires careful planning, progressive implementation and robust recoil mechanisms. By taking advantage of API bridges, data synchronization strategies and hybrid cloud solutions, companies can ensure transparent transition without disturbing existing operations.

Are you faced with integration challenges in your organization? Share your experiences and strategies in the comments!

Before leaving: