Legacy Database Migration

Understanding legacy databases

Believe it or not, a surprising number of companies today still use databases that were created as far as the eighties.

These legacy databases often remain in use because they hold a companies valuable historical data, support critical business functions and are essentially the 'norm' for that business. Some companies have made small adjustments, added new features or integrated them with modern tools, but the core technology behind these databases is outdated.

Whilst they may still function (for now a least!), these older systems come with increasing risks - security vulnerabilities, performance issues and compatibility challenges with newer software to name but a few. It is common for organisations to take a 'if it's not broken, why fix it' approach but this can very quickly land them in hot water and cause severe consequences should these databases at some point inevitably 'break'.

What is a legacy database?

When we talk about a legacy database here at Cool Code Company, we are referring to offline file based systems that are still in use despite being created with old technology such as Excel, CSV, Access and FoxPro.

These databases usually lack automatic updates, up to date security protocols and compatibility with modern applications, making them inefficient and incredibly risky to maintain. Some common types of file based databases include -

Microsoft Excel - Excel still has its place (and we love a good spreadsheet as much as anyone), but it was never designed to be a full database. It’s limited in scalability, flexibility and security and things can get out of hand very quickly, particularly if your excel file expands quickly.

CSV files - Once popular for data storage, CSV files have long outstayed their welcome when it comes to managing large or complex datasets. They lack structure, are prone to human error and can cause real inefficiencies although you're probably already aware of that...

Microsoft Access databases – Another once popular choice for small scale database management, Access (and its underlying engine) can struggle with larger datasets and lacks updates or support which can inevitably lead you down the road of security and performance issues. These problems become particularly prevalent when businesses grow as Access lacks the means the grow with them.

FoxPro – FoxPro was once upon a time, a star. These days, it's completely outdated and unsupported. Businesses still using it often face severe compatibility issues when trying to integrate with modern systems - hopefully you don't fall into this category.

Modern alternatives to legacy databases

Upgrading from outdated database systems gives you access to quicker, safer and more flexible database technology. Here are some of the most effective modern options as of 2025:

Cloud databases

Cloud based database solutions are (usually) scalable, reliable and secure. They come with automatic updates, built in disaster recovery and are easy to access from anywhere, at any time. You essentially “rent” the infrastructure, making them a good choice for businesses already using other cloud services.

Top rated platforms include:

• Microsoft Azure SQL Database

• Amazon RDS

• Google Cloud Spanner

On prem databases (non cloud)

If you’re not quite ready for the cloud or prefer to some or all of your systems in house, modern relational databases still offer great flexibility, scalability and recovery options, all without the limitations of older file based systems.

Popular choices include:

• PostgreSQL

• MySQL

• Microsoft SQL Server

Data warehousing

For organisations managing huge volumes of data, data warehouses provide powerful storage and analysis capabilities. They’re built for speed, analytics and of course - scale.

Leading platforms include:

• Snowflake

• Google BigQuery

• Amazon Redshift

Risks of not migrating your legacy database

Keeping your old database may well seem easier now, but it comes with significant risks:

• Security vulnerabilities - Old databases rarely receive updates, leaving them open to cyberattacks and data compromises. Basic password protection simply no longer cuts it.
• Compatibility issues - Integrating legacy databases with modern software is often impossible, forcing your teams into time frustrating, time consuming workarounds.
• Performance decline - Outdated systems struggle to handle the data volumes companies deal with as standard these days which means slower response times and reduced productivity for your staff.
• High maintenance costs - Complex fixes, legacy hardware and IT support for old systems quickly add up.
• Regulatory issues - Many industries now require up to date, secure systems for compliance with data protection laws.
• Risk of total failure - The worst case scenario can and does happen - the legacy system crashes and the business looses access to critical business data with no easy way to recover it.

Benefits of migrating to a modern database

Migrating legacy database doesn’t just eliminate risks – it opens up many new possibilities -

• Better security - Better security through encryption, automated backups and regular updates.
• Better performance - Faster performance and processing.
• Better scalability - Flexible architecture that grows with your business.
• More integration Capabilities - Easier integration with other modern systems and apps.
• Lower costs - Lower maintenance costs and less downtime.
• Automated updates & maintenance - No more manual security patches or software updates  - modern databases (if cloud based) do this automatically.

How can we help?

At Cool Code Company, we have extensive experience in working with offline file based systems - we used them once too after all! Through this, we understand the challenges involved in moving to more modern alternatives and have experienced first hand some of the problems that can be caused by not doing so. We also have clients who have opted to retain these systems and provide tailored support to ensure they remain in working order and as secure as possible. Whatever your situation, we'll work with you to find the best solution.