How can companies remain competitive in today’s dynamic IT landscape and the need to modernize and optimize their IT architecture? A key strategy for meeting this challenge is the application of the 6R model. The 6R model – Rehost, Re-Platform, Re-Architect, Repurchase, Retire, and Retain – is a structured approach to application modernization. This approach ensures that every decision is based on sound information and aligned with the company’s business objectives.
SAP LeanIX plays a crucial role here by simplifying the implementation of the 6R model. Comprehensive analyses and a transparent representation of the IT landscape offer valuable insights into existing applications. Therefore, we will now examine the six essential components of the 6R model and how SAP LeanIX can support their implementation.
1. Rehost (Lift and Shift)
The rehosting approach is often referred to as “lift and shift” and is considered the “easiest strategy” in the 6R model. This involves moving an application to a new environment, often the cloud, without major modifications. This is a quick and easy way to benefit from the advantages of the cloud without adapting the application itself.
Rehost therefore stands for speed and cost-efficiency when it comes to immediate migration requirements. Rehost is often the first choice for companies that, for example, want to quickly benefit from the advantages of cloud computing or need to migrate rapidly due to time or cost constraints. It is also a suitable strategy if you want to scale your operations quickly without having to immediately address cloud-native functionalities.
How SAP LeanIX supports
SAP LeanIX enables companies to check their applications and infrastructure for compatibility with new hosting environments. This minimizes risks during the rehosting process and helps companies get the most out of their existing systems.
2. Re-Platform (Migration to modern platforms)
The re-platforming strategy, also known as lift, tinker, and shift, involves modernizing applications by moving them to new platforms without significantly altering their architecture. A common example is migrating on-premises systems to the cloud to benefit from the improved scalability and flexibility of modern platforms. This strategy strikes a balance between the simplicity of rehosting and the complexity of re-architecting.
Replatforming is suitable for companies that want to benefit from cloud optimizations but avoid the costs and risks associated with a complete rearchitecture. It is ideal when the core application architecture is robust, but smaller improvements could unlock cloud efficiencies.
How SAP LeanIX supports
LeanIX provides comprehensive data on IT infrastructure and offers the necessary tools to precisely plan which applications are suitable for a re-platforming strategy. This gives companies a clear overview of which systems can be migrated to modern cloud platforms and allows them to more easily coordinate the necessary steps.
3. Re-Architect (Redesign of the application architecture)
The Re-Architect strategy involves fundamentally rethinking an application’s existing architecture. This can include transforming an application to make it better suited for cloud environments or adding new features. The introduction of microservices and other modular architectures often plays a central role in this process, facilitating future extensions.
This strategy in the 6R model is suitable for applications that require scalability and fault tolerance, or that need to add new features that can only be implemented with a cloud-native architecture.
How SAP LeanIX supports
With the IT architecture insights provided by SAP LeanIX, companies can analyze and assess the technical debt burden of their existing applications. LeanIX enables them to identify architectural weaknesses and develop targeted modernization strategies that lay the foundation for cloud-ready, modern systems.
4. Repurchase (replace outdated applications)
One of the most common strategies for application modernization is repurchasing, which involves replacing old and inefficient software solutions. Companies often opt for more modern and powerful applications that offer better performance and are more cost-effective. In many cases, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions are an excellent choice because they offer flexibility and scalability.
A new purchase is ideal when, for example, existing applications are very outdated and the operational burden of maintaining old systems needs to be reduced.
How SAP LeanIX supports
LeanIX helps companies maintain an overview of their existing applications and identify alternatives. With detailed information about outdated applications and potential SaaS options, decision-makers can more easily transition to more modern solutions.
5. Retire (disable applications)
The retirement approach means identifying and removing outdated applications from the portfolio when they no longer offer added value. By identifying and shutting down superfluous or redundant applications, companies can save unnecessary IT costs and reduce the complexity of their system landscape.
This step is crucial for companies that aim to declutter their IT environment and concentrate resources on maintaining and migrating the necessary systems.
How SAP LeanIX supports
SAP LeanIX helps assess the usage and business value of applications, making it easier for companies to decide which applications can be decommissioned. This frees up space for more modern technologies and increases the efficiency of the IT landscape.
6. Retain (maintain applications)
The retain strategy involves not migrating existing applications to the cloud. This option is often chosen for stable, efficient systems that can remain operational for several more years. However, this option can also be based on the decision that business, technical, or regulatory factors necessitate keeping certain systems outside the cloud.
An example would be storing confidential information, which requires file system encryption that must be controlled solely by you. A public cloud data center is unlikely to be the right candidate for your application. Therefore, you decide to leave the application unchanged initially or for an extended period. Remember to reassess the application from time to time, as technical requirements or regulatory compliance may have changed.
How SAP LeanIX supports
LeanIX provides transparency into the state and usage of all applications within the company, enabling businesses to make informed decisions about which applications can remain in their current state without expending additional resources on modernization.
Conclusion
To conclude our journey through the 6R model of cloud migration, you should now understand that each strategy offers its own path to the cloud. The 6R model provides a flexible and structured foundation for evaluating a company’s application portfolio for cloud migration and for modernizing IT applications, whether through replacement, redesign, or migration.
