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Case 03
Upgrading Legacy Applications
When Kurrent Logic began upgrading DHS's applications, the agency was still settling on its development practices. We guided DHS into processes that finish applications efficiently — without rushing or overworking the development teams — and onto a technology stack chosen to stay current.
The obstacle
Three problems, none of them purely technical.
Upgrading the legacy systems meant solving for what the technology had to survive, and for how the people who owned it worked.
Choosing the correct technologies
Ensuring the technologies selected would remain current, and would require minimal future rewrites.
Educating product owners
Training product owners to understand and transition to the Agile process, replacing the outdated Waterfall methodology.
Evolving applications
Working closely with product owners to demonstrate how their applications needed to evolve to meet new security requirements and improve functionality.
Our path
Guide the practice, not just the code.
DHS was still learning the best development practices. Kurrent Logic guided the agency in adopting proper processes to complete applications efficiently, without rushing or overworking the development teams.
Technology selection
We chose technologies that would remain current and secure, rather than whatever was quickest to adopt.
Simplifying Agile
We made Agile straightforward for product owners accustomed to older methods, choosing an easily accessible platform and making sure it was clearly understood.
Demonstrating changes
We showed DHS that their existing approaches were no longer viable under new security requirements — and how upgraded applications would simplify work and keep data accurate.
The decision that paid off
Applications were designed to share the same tech stack. That is why developers can work across different applications, and why security assessments are streamlined instead of repeated from scratch for each one.
The result
A comprehensive approach, and the stack under it.
Kurrent Logic, working with DHS, now has a settled approach to completing application upgrades. Here is what the updated applications are built on.
Front end
Angular
Built as a single-page application.
Middle tier & backend
.NET Core (now .NET)
Written in C#.
Data
Entity Framework with MSSQL Server
The backend database layer.
Training product owners
The process change needed as much support as the code did, so it came with a platform and with material people could actually use.
- Platform
- Microsoft Azure DevOps, used for Agile development
- Training materials
- Multiple resources, including presentations and videos
Demonstrations
Through demonstrations and mockups, we illustrated how legacy applications could be enhanced to simplify work and ensure data security and accuracy — showing the improvement rather than describing it.
Example
The Vehicle Tracking Application
The Kurrent Logic team built a vehicle management and tracking application for an international law enforcement agency. It replaced the paper-based process that came before it with an interface that works on both desktop and mobile devices.
The change improved the accuracy of how critical data and transactions are recorded. Sister agencies have since taken notice, and discussions about adopting it have opened.
2016
The Director's Award
Those who spearheaded the contract in 2016 were honored with the Director's Award — the highest recognition within the program.
A paper-based vehicle management and tracking process.
A user-friendly interface available on both desktop and mobile.
The accuracy of recorded critical data and transactions.
Interest from sister agencies, and discussions about adoption.
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