Legacy App Modernization
Old PHP applications brought up to date, one stage at a time
Legacy App Modernization
Many businesses still depend on PHP applications written years ago on PHP 5 or 7, an old CodeIgniter release or custom code. They work, but they no longer get security fixes, hosting providers are dropping the old PHP versions, and each change takes longer than the last. We upgrade these applications in stages: a supported PHP version first, then security fixes, tests and, where it pays off, a move to Laravel. Your team keeps using the app while we work on it.
What We Deliver
What's included in Legacy App Modernization.
PHP version upgrades
Moving code from PHP 5 or 7 to a supported PHP version, replacing removed functions and fixing what breaks along the way.
Move to Laravel
Moving CodeIgniter or custom PHP code onto Laravel one module at a time, keeping the business rules the old code holds.
Security fixes
Prepared statements in place of raw SQL, escaped output, CSRF protection and updated libraries to close known gaps.
Tests before changes
Tests around the flows that matter, such as login, orders and invoices, written before we change them so differences show up early.
Speed fixes
Slow pages traced to their queries, then fixed with indexes, caching or rewritten queries.
Composer and deployments
Libraries managed with Composer instead of copied folders, and releases deployed with a script instead of FTP uploads.
Our Process
How the work runs, step by step.
Code review
We get the app running on a copy, check the PHP version, libraries, database and server, and list the risks and the order to tackle them.
Tests first
We add tests around the flows your business depends on, so we can tell when a change alters how they behave.
Upgrade in stages
We upgrade in small steps with tools such as Rector and PHPStan, releasing each step rather than one large rewrite.
Check and release
Each stage is tested on a staging copy and released at a quiet time, with a backup and a way to roll back.
Handover
You get notes on what changed and how to deploy. We can stay on for maintenance and small changes after launch if you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Legacy App Modernization.
Usually not. Most changes go out in stages, like normal updates. If a step needs a short break, such as a database change or a move to a new server, we schedule it for a quiet time you agree to.
Upgrading in stages usually costs less and keeps business rules that a rewrite can miss. A rewrite makes sense for parts of the code that are too fragile to change safely. After the code review we tell you which parts fall where.
Over time, yes. Old PHP versions get no security fixes, hosting providers stop offering them, and newer libraries will not install on them. Upgrading closes known security issues in PHP itself and lets you use current packages.
We write tests around the important flows before changing them, run static analysis on each change, and check every stage on a staging copy before release. That catches most problems before your users see them.
It depends on the size of the code and how far it has to move. We give you a timeline after the code review, and because the work is released in stages, you see improvements before the whole project ends.
Other Web Development services
- Laravel Development Web applications, customer portals and APIs built in Laravel, with tests and clear code the next developer can pick up.
- Vue.js Frontend Vue.js interfaces for web apps, dashboards and Laravel projects, built from reusable, typed components.
- E-commerce Website Development Online stores on Shopify, WooCommerce or custom Laravel, with Indian payment gateways, GST invoices and stock tracking.
- SaaS Application Development Subscription software with customer accounts, plans, billing and an admin dashboard, built in Laravel and Vue.
- React Frontend Component driven frontends built in React, with typed state and a fast build pipeline.
- MERN Stack Development End to end JavaScript applications on the MERN stack, from database through API to interface.
- PHP Development Applications built and maintained on the LAMP stack, suited to established sites and shared hosting.
Still running an old PHP version?
Tell us what the app does and what it runs on, and we will suggest where to start and what the upgrade involves.