ABSTRACT

LEGACY SYSTEMS CONTINUE TO BE USED because they still add value to the business and because they are so expensive to replace. Yet staff members responsible for supporting and maintaining 10-to 20-year-old mission-critical systems may feel they are being denied a chance to acquire new skills. IS managers can protect staff morale in their departments by conveying the business reasons for using legacy systems to the staff assigned the job of maintaining and supporting them. This chapter outlines various ways to minimize apathy among support staff, with tips for helping maintenance employees keep the job fresh.