Share via

Refactor enterprise applications using low-code platforms

You can strategically refactor an enterprise legacy to add value without the complexity of rebuilding the application. Low-code and no-code tools can help you enhance agility, reduce costs, and empower teams.

Low-code and no-code platforms provide visual tools that simplify software development tasks. They enable you to integrate services without coding those interactions. You don’t have to maintain the integration (“glue”) code or learn new APIs and specifications. You can develop and deploy rapid prototypes and quickly adapt to changing market demands. Even less technical users can play a role in modernization efforts.

Refactor using Microsoft Power Platform

When refactoring internal-facing business applications, a low-code tool like Microsoft Power Platform gives you flexibility without complexity. Together with low-code Azure Logic Apps workflows, Microsoft Power Platform enables you to rapidly build customized, end-to-end business solutions. You don’t have to be a developer to integrate existing systems and data sources, automate processes, and translate your data into useful business intelligence.

As you use low-code platforms to refactor business-critical applications, you can also incorporate AI-based features. With Power Platform, you can add intelligence to automated processes, predict outcomes, and work with AI models to improve your applications.

In general, when refactoring based on a low-code platform, do the following:

  1. Create a user-centered design.

  2. Automate repetitive tasks and workflows.

    • To automate repetitive tasks, use the flow templates and custom connectors in Power Automate.
    • To design and automate workflows, use the visual designer in Azure Logic Apps. Built-in connectors provide integration with Azure services, on-premises systems, and third-party applications.

  3. Define and integrate business rules.

    • Use the low-code Azure Logic Apps Rules Engine to define and manage workflows for consistent decision-making across your applications based on declarative business rules.
    • Use the Microsoft Rules Composer, a visual tool for authoring and versioning rules, to create and manage rulesets.
    • Integrate the business rules within your Logic Apps workflows, using conditional logic to trigger actions based on rules. Rules can operate on multiple data sources, ensuring comprehensive decision management.

  4. Ensure security and compliance.

    • Ensure that your applications comply with security standards. Use Microsoft Entra ID for authentication and authorization.
    • Implement compliance controls to meet industry regulations and standards.

  5. Test and deploy.

  6. Monitor and maintain.

    • Use Azure Application Insights to monitor the performance and health of your applications.
    • Keep your applications and workflows up to date with the latest features and security patches.

For more information about implementing this approach, see Introduction to Microsoft Power Platform for developers and the Application modernization with Power Platform white paper.

Low-code approach to AI

You can use low-code platforms to add AI-based features to your refactored applications. For example, Power Platform AI Builder provides prebuilt models that you can use to automate processes, predict outcomes, and improve business performance. You can also build your own models to meet a specific business need.

In addition, AI-based Copilot features in Power Platform help you build apps using natural language. For example, you can describe your business scenario to Copilot in Power Automate, and it can turn your description into an automated workflow.

Next steps

Continue your optimization journey and modernize ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core web applications.