Organizations relying on aging or unsupported systems like InfoPath, SharePoint Designer, or Lotus Notes are sitting on a ticking time bomb. These platforms often lack scalability, modern security, cloud compatibility, and integration with today’s AI-powered tools like Microsoft Copilot. It’s not just a technical issue; it is a strategic risk.
Common Legacy Platforms (and Why They’re Holding You Back)
Many organizations still rely on legacy platforms that were once foundational but now pose significant challenges in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape. These systems often lack modern capabilities, are difficult to maintain, and create barriers to innovation, scalability, and integration with cloud-native tools.
Here’s a snapshot of what we often see:
Legacy Platform | Typical Use Case | Risks in 2025 and Beyond |
.NET (Web Forms, MVC 5) |
Custom apps for HR, finance, service, and operations |
Hard to update, lacks mobile/cloud, needs specialized devs |
InfoPath | Forms and approvals | Deprecated, unsupported by Microsoft |
SharePoint Designer Workflows | Business process automation | SharePoint 2010 workflows fully retired; 2013 workflows are being deprecated |
Lotus Notes / Domino | Older workflows, records, and task tracking | Very few experts remain, not cloud-based |
On-prem SharePoint (2010/2013) | Forms, workflows, and document libraries | Expired support, security gaps, can’t integrate with M365 or Copilot |
Excel/Access-based Workflows | Ad-hoc automations, calculations, and intake forms | Data fragmentation, manual errors, not scalable or secure |
Why Microsoft Power Platform is the Right Move
As organizations seek to modernize and future-proof their operations, Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse) stands out as a powerful, low-code alternative to legacy systems.
It offers faster development, easier maintenance, seamless integration, and built-in support for AI and automation—all while reducing long-term costs. The comparison below highlights how Power Platform outperforms traditional legacy technologies across key areas critical to digital transformation.
Feature / Capability | Legacy (.NET, InfoPath, SharePoint Designer, etc.) | Power Platform |
Development Speed | Custom-coded, long dev cycles | Low-code drag-and-drop app building, faster time to value |
Maintenance | Needs developers for every change | Power Users can update forms and flows without IT reliance |
Integration | Custom code for every integration | Native integration with Microsoft 365, Dataverse, Teams, Dynamics, and 600+ connectors |
Mobility | Requires separate mobile app dev | Power Apps are mobile-ready by default |
Security & Compliance | Varies, often patchwork | Centralized, role-based access control, Microsoft compliance & Purview support |
AI and Automation | Manual or custom-integrated | Built-in AI Builder and Copilot support |
Hosting | On-prem servers or costly Azure infrastructure | Fully cloud-native in the Microsoft ecosystem |
Cost Over Time | High development + infrastructure + licensing + risk costs | Lower TCO through consolidation, reuse, and licensing efficiency |
Real ROI: Numbers that Matter
The value of the Power Platform is real and quantifiable. According to the Forrester Total Economic Impact study of Power Platform, organizations saw:
- 74% reduction in app development time
- 502% ROI over 3 years
- Up to 27% reduction in legacy licensing and infrastructure costs
- 15–25% efficiency gain across departments due to streamlined processes and reduced manual work
These aren’t just numbers—they reflect real-world savings and productivity gains.
Your Modernization Roadmap
If you want to see similar results for your organization, you need a clear plan to begin modernizing your applications. Elantis makes modernization achievable, not overwhelming. Here are the simple steps we take to modernize your applications:
Step 1: Discovery & Inventory
- Identify and catalogue legacy forms, apps, and workflows (.NET, InfoPath, SPD, Lotus Notes, Excel, etc.)
- Assess business value, risk, and complexity
Step 2: Prioritization & Planning
- Score and group based on complexity, usage, redundancy, and quick wins.
- Create a phased application migration plan
Step 3: Rebuild on Power Platform
- Convert legacy forms to Power Apps
- Recreate workflow logic in Power Automate
- Centralize data in Dataverse or SharePoint Online
- Apply security and access policies aligned to Microsoft 365 standards
Step 4: Enablement
- Train business users to enhance and maintain apps
- Set up a Power Apps Center of Excellence
Step 5: Support & Optimize
- Monitor, govern, and optimize usage
- Continuously improve, based on user feedback
Beyond Migration: A Strategic Leap Forward
Modernization isn’t just about upgrading tech; it’s a chance to:
- Eliminate technical debt
- Future-proof your systems for AI and Copilot integration
- Align with Microsoft’s governance and compliance ecosystem
- Empower your workforce with smarter tools
Whether you’re in the public sector or a regulated industry, Elantis has deep experience guiding organizations through successful transformations. We go beyond lift-and-shift and help you unlock long-term value.
Ready to retire outdated systems without disrupting operations?
Elantis brings deep expertise in rebuilding legacy workflows for the public sector, regulated industries, and organizations needing structured governance. We don’t just move your systems – we help you modernize your operations.
Let’s connect to explore how you can start small, demonstrate quick wins, and scale smart, backed by Elantis’ proven modernization approach. 👉 Contact us