Five key challenges around gen

As technology advances and business goals and objectives change, it can be difficult for businesses using legacy software to adapt. Gen applications represent a large technology investment and like many systems, pose specific challenges. For most businesses, the time has come to modernise in order to enable them to keep up with new technologies and ever-changing business needs. With this in mind, what are the challenges around Gen and how can we overcome them?

1. Resources

This is seen as one of the biggest business risks when it comes to using Gen for development because of limited availability, meaning they are often expensive. Globally, we can see that there is a shortage of skilled Gen resources, with very few new entrants meaning those organisations remaining in Gen need to consider what measures to take to address these issues effectively. To address resourcing issues, companies can make use of Gen consultancies which provide the ability to exploit expertise and provide guidance and direction.

2. Limitations of Gen knowledge

Over the last ten years, many organisations have moved away from Gen and there have been very few if any, new organisations that have embraced it as the market is shrinking. This resulted in limited knowledge throughout many organisations around Gen. To tackle this, companies can undertake a Discovery Exercise (supported by automation) to explore and document the future options of the Gen systems. Companies can also offer additional Gen training to new and existing resources.

3. Historically there was limited Investment in Gen

During recent years, the Gen tool hasn’t developed to keep up with changes in the market, meaning what was a market-leading development capability, lost ground as other technologies developed. The view of Gen as a legacy technology can be seen as a direct result of that lack of investment coupled with the advent of more modern alternatives. However, more recently investment around Gen has increased with the emphasis being placed on supporting DevOps and improving integration with other technologies.

4. Limited integration capabilities

Modern application landscapes need to be able to integrate seamlessly to allow for greater interoperability and modernisation initiatives. Despite the business-critical functions that Gen applications traditionally have supported; it does not naturally lend itself to this and so is often perceived as an impediment to change. In recent years there has been increased investment to bridge this and increase opportunities around integration.

5. More viable competition

The model-based approach to development was pioneering at the outset and provided many benefits for organisations without much credible competition. More modern approaches such as DevOps have Gen sitting on the outside looking in, unlike newer technologies. It is generally considered that it would take a complete change of the licensing model and capabilities for Gen to be perceived as a competitor once again. It is important to also consider that many organisations have been using this technology for decades and it represents a significant investment.

It is important to recognise that Gen is a strong, reliable technology that is well utilised in many organisations today. Although businesses will face challenges in its continued use, it can be hugely beneficial to work with an organisation with the relevant technical skills and expertise and skill to help achieve business tactical goals and strategic objectives relating to this technology.