Discovering a system modernization decision framework: a case study in migrating to distributed object technology

Many organizations face a serious challenge introducing new technologies into existing systems. Effective modernization requires knowing and articulating specific goals for the reengineering effort, conscious selection of technologies and technical approaches that can achieve those goals in the context of the class of system being upgraded, a staged migration plan, and an integration strategy to make in-hand components work under the newly adopted architecture. Although the study of reengineering is moving towards an engineering discipline, there are as yet no proven decision frameworks that allow an organization to rationally choose a modernization strategy. This paper provides an in-depth look at the engineering trade-offs made in modernizing a manufacturing engineering design system to use distributed object technology. From this case study, the outlines of a more general reengineering decision framework can be seen, and these are discussed.