The role of UX in application modernization

The digital transformation requires modern IT architectures and application landscapes in order to meet changing business requirements and the shortage of skilled workers. Companies must modernize their IT landscapes in order to remain competitive. The Lünendonk^® Study 2024 “Application Modernization and Cloud Transformation” examines how companies are tackling this change.

The study provides insights into the strategies, plans and challenges of companies in the context of application modernization and cloud transformation. To this end, 160 interviews were conducted with managers from IT (CIOs, heads of application development, heads of enterprise architecture, etc.) and the business (department heads, management, etc.). The aim was to achieve a balanced mix in terms of sector distribution.

According to the study, 43% of the companies surveyed place the highest priority on modernizing their application landscapes.* These efforts are not only aimed at improving competitiveness and optimally aligning IT with business requirements, but 63% of companies also place a particular focus on ensuring a seamless user experience and user centricity. However, 57% of respondents currently prioritize application modernization rather low, which is related to both the predominantly positive assessment of their own technology stack and the economic situation. (Lünendonk® Study 2024, page 5)

The key figures underline companies’ efforts to improve applications not only from a technical and economic perspective, but also from a user perspective. Above all, companies that are increasingly digitizing their business models need scalable applications that meet equally high requirements in terms of performance, stability and user experience. (Lünendonk® Study 2024, page 22).

An interesting finding of the study is that only 34% of companies start their modernization initiatives with the front end. This is despite the realization that comprehensive modernization often has its greatest impact on the back end. Only just under a quarter of companies are taking a step-by-step approach to IT modernization across the various domains. This is particularly easy for companies that have also integrated a modular Composable Enterprise. The study recommends that while the back end remains important, the front end should not be neglected in order to guarantee a coherent and optimal user experience.(Lünendonk® Study 2024, page 28).

Especially for companies that are increasingly working digitally, a positive UX is crucial in order to create applications that are both powerful and user-friendly. The importance of UX extends to all industries, where smooth user interactions and security requirements are equally high priorities. User centricity is not considered in isolation, but often in conjunction with sustainability and security to ensure a holistic approach to modernization. This study thus shows that the optimization of the UX does not only concern the front end, but is understood as an integrative part of a sustainable and secure modernization approach.

A tangible and intuitive user interface (UI) increases user satisfaction and promotes customer loyalty. Users who have a positive experience tend to enter into a longer relationship with the platform or service.

Efficient UI/UX designs enable users to complete tasks faster and with fewer errors. This not only leads to increased productivity, but also to a reduction in training and support costs.

In a market where many products and services are interchangeable, an outstanding user experience can help to clearly differentiate. Through user-centric design and personalized experiences, companies can set themselves apart from the competition. .

Advancing digitalization requires the constant modernization of application landscapes. As the Lünendok Study 2024 shows, the integration of an excellent user experience is a factor that should not be underestimated in order to assert oneself on the market or even gain a decisive advantage. UID is happy to support you in not only modernizing your IT functionally, but also in designing a first-class user experience.

As CEO of UID GmbH, Ralph Siegert and his team develop the digital product worlds of tomorrow and anchor UX in companies in a sustainable and agile way. With 25 years of experience in digitalization, often as a product owner in agile projects, he is an expert in the development of digital and innovation strategies. Before joining UID, Ralph worked for various IT service providers and international agencies for renowned clients as a link between the digital world, technology and business.

As a UX agency for innovation, design and strategy, we have successfully designed user-centered digital products in more than 5,000 projects. As part of the BAYOONET Group with 400 experts, we develop complex software solutions with optimal UX – even for highly regulated industries such as medical technology or mechanical engineering.