In this episode of Transformational Blueprints, we speak with Vikram Karumbaiah, Head of Architecture with 25 years of experience, about the challenges and strategies involved in modernizing legacy systems.

Vikram shares his journey from handling Y2K issues to leading a team of architects at Tenerity, a company that provides loyalty programs, customer engagement, and identity protection solutions. They discuss the hidden costs of maintaining legacy systems, security risks, and the importance of involving business processes in modernization efforts.

Vikram also offers insights into the key attributes of a great architect and the essential methodologies and frameworks for successful system modernization.

• Understanding 10: Loyalty Programs and Customer Engagement
• The Role of an Architect
• Modernizing Legacy Systems: Hidden Costs and Challenges
• Security Risks in Legacy Systems
• Common Objections to Modernization
• Understanding NPS and CSAT Scores
• Common Mistakes in Modernization
• Change Management Strategies
• Frameworks and Methodologies for Modernization
• Advice for Aspiring Architects
• Future of Architecture and AI

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SynaxiaGroup

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Vikram's recommended reading

• Book - "The culture Map"** by Erin Meyer
• HMRC Legacy system budget - https://www.theregister.com/2021/01/22/hmcr_pandemic_cost_are_45/
• IRS - ⁠Individual master file - https://taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/what-technology-does-irs-use#:~:text=The IMF is integral to,trained in ALC and COBOL.
• ⁠Book - "Serverless as a Game Changer" by Joseph Emison
• Invertse conway's law - https://www.happyporch.com/articles/posts/the-power-of-software-shaping-organizations-through-inverse-conway-s-law/
• ⁠ Martin fowler - Patterns of legacy displacement
• Vibe Coding - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/technology/personaltech/vibecoding-ai-software-programming.html
• Compute over data (CoD) - ⁠Bacalhau

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Extra Stuff:

Do you want a copy of our Architecture Market? 

What's in the report?

1. Who's hiring the most architects in your region?
2. Gender diversity statistics
3. Is demand for architects increasing or decreasing?
4. What are the key trends in the architecture market?

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Get in touch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-michaels/

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Follow the Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transformational-blueprints-podcast/

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Follow Synaxia Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/synaxia-group/