Maintenance aspects:
It is necessary to consider the maintenance aspect of reengineering solutions. Maintenance could be said to be the adaptation of the software product after delivery to correct faults, to get better performance or other attributes, or to adopt the process to varying environmental requirements. It is now proposed to discuss some of the tasks in systems maintenance which could be said to be as follows:
It is seen that most system administrators groan at the prospects of dealing with maintenance since there are myriad problems concerning old software usage and the heavy amounts that need to be earmarked for their servicing for maintaining operational usage. They have realized the need for software maintenance theories and practices rather than software development. Moreover, the substitution of multiple application domains and a large number of languages cannot be made immediately and with the high precision and accuracy that is needed in this case.
The systems themselves may have faced the ravages of time and over their useful functional years, and large utility value may significantly be deteriorated over time and continued usage. Thus it has become inevitable that modifications and changes in the software need to be urgently done in order for the function could be preserved for a period of time, after which it would be necessary to replace it with modern software systems.
Aspects impinging maintenance:
The following aspects weigh heavily upon the maintenance aspects:
- remedial aspects of maintenance – it is seen that sometimes there may be faults that escape detection at the development and testing stage but need to be corrected later.
- Absolute aspects of maintenance need to study the flaws in the present system and recommend making it perfect for application purposes.
- Adjustable maintenance needs enhancement of present systems or new systems to replace the superfluous ones.
It is seen that the second and third categories merited more attention than the first one, which is relatively lesser. There are several procedures in code reading that need to be followed, and they are:
- Identifying the existing codes
- Localizing flaws in the existing codes
- Finding alternatives
- Testing the performance and operationality of new codes
- Integrating this into the systems
Thus, it is seen that the concord of the new systems with the existing ones needs to be maintained in order to maintain parity and performance. It would be necessary to test the new codes regularly to ensure conformity and performance, more so during critical and speed-bound operations. Thus, it is seen that the onus in on how the software codes would assist in creating better efficiencies and larger use of databases for the organization and contribute towards overall efficacies in areas of operations and accountability.
Main tasks in systems maintenance:
Some of the main tasks in systems maintenance could be seen as follows:
- Corrective maintenance techniques
- Error detections
- Diagnosis- repair and replacement
- retry techniques
Corrective maintenance techniques:
Sometimes it may be possible that there may be inherent or acquired flaws or errors in the techniques which need to be corrected. This could be done by localizing the errors and initiating remedial measures. This could be a replacement of the existing software systems or an independent entry, depending upon the choice of management, etc.
The second stage is error detection which is rectified, and the systems are cleared of it. It is also possible to take recourse to reverse engineering concepts and techniques, which are aimed at stating the existing designs for a program. However, reverse engineering cannot identify the decision reached or dropped or comment upon the decision-making process as such.
Thus it could be said that the tasks of system maintenance are aimed at error detection and elimination through correctives measures.
It could be said that systems reengineering is a prospective and useful branch of system operations in that it is geared to introducing improvements in existing systems through switchover to innovative and updated systems that could offer business solutions to problems that beset industry and trade, and also sets new types of processes, disengaging wasteful and superfluous processes and thus creating favourable conditions for performance by adhering to new regulations in the market and ina corporate office, thereby proving beneficial to all in the long run to all – the stakeholders who seek higher returns and safety of his investments, the employees who wish to earn higher salaries and rewards for their efforts, the creditors who wish to be paid on time, Govt. authorities who need to ensure that timely compliances are made and corporate inviolability retained and finally, the promoters and investors who wish to earn a handsome margin on tier investments through ethical and moral means, in conformity with best trade practices.
No corporate can work in isolation, and it is necessary that it integrates with the mainstream of the commercial world for its own sustenance and future profitability. This is emphasized in the present world of global competition, where names carry little weight and global performance says it all. Over its long tenure, the corporate needs to change and to relate with current practices to develop and retain markets and play a pivotal role in nation-building. In such a scenario, it is necessary to take cognizance of effective business tools and techniques like systems reengineering, which has received wide acclaim for its beneficial values and ability to turnaround loss making companies.
However, much of its values would depend upon its appropriate application and utilization in a corporate business and what top management seeks to gain from a sound and effective systems reengineering program.