Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Evolution from migration to modernization using modernization pathways (PEX305)

Summary

• The session is aimed at both business and technical personas involved in migration and modernization.
• It discusses the journey from migration to modernization, emphasizing the importance of a structured, phased approach.
• The presenters introduce the concept of modernization pathways, focusing on infrastructure, database applications, and analytics.
• They highlight the challenges in modernization, such as decision fatigue, consensus on target state architecture, and skill gaps.
• A modernization pathway assessment framework is introduced for partners to align their organization and capabilities with AWS's six modernization pathways.
• The session includes a demonstration of modernizing a legacy application using ISV partner tools and AWS services.
• The presenters discuss the benefits of moving to cloud-native, containers, managed databases, open source, managed analytics, and modern DevOps.
• They also touch upon the importance of data as a strategic asset and the use of Kubernetes for data workloads.
• The session concludes with insights on how partners can build accelerators and earn customer trust in their modernization journey.

Insights

• Modernization is not a one-size-fits-all process; it can be a two-step approach starting with migration followed by incremental modernization, or a leapfrog approach where modernization is integrated from the beginning.
• The six modernization pathways (cloud-native, containers, managed databases, open source, managed analytics, and modern DevOps) provide a structured approach to tackle different aspects of modernization.
• Decision fatigue and skill gaps are significant challenges in modernization, indicating the need for clear guidance and effective training programs.
• The modernization pathway assessment is a valuable tool for partners to evaluate their alignment with AWS's modernization strategies and identify areas for improvement.
• The demonstration highlighted the practical application of AWS services and partner tools in decomposing a monolithic application into microservices, showcasing the synergy between AWS and ISV partner tools.
• Data is a critical component of modernization, with many organizations not fully utilizing their data. AWS services can help unlock the potential of data and build advanced capabilities.
• Kubernetes is emerging as a popular tool for data workloads, and AWS's open-source project, Data on EKS, provides infrastructure as code templates and reference architectures for scalable data platforms.
• Partners have opportunities to build professional and managed services around AWS EKS and data platforms, differentiating their offerings and improving developer productivity.
• The session emphasized the importance of both technical and business benefits in modernization pathways, suggesting that partners can use these pathways as a value framework to guide customers.