Government Documentation Software Update
We helped a small government document filing company stabilize their failing 30-year-old database system by converting it to a virtual machine, preserving their setup, avoiding redevelopment costs, and ensuring uninterrupted operations.
A small company specializing in government document filing contacted us with a critical issue.
Their business relied on a 30-year-old custom database application running on a proprietary SCO Unix system. The original developer and hardware manufacturer were no longer around, and the aging hardware was failing with no replacement parts available. They had been quoted over $100,000 to rebuild the system for Windows—a cost they couldn’t afford.
A friend of the owner suggested they seek our advice. After assessing the situation, we proposed converting their system to a virtual machine (VM). This approach would preserve their existing setup and run it on modern hardware, avoiding the need for redevelopment.
That’s where we came in.
Our team first documented the hardware and software configuration and created an image of the failing hard drive to safeguard their data. We then tested the SCO Unix environment on a virtual platform to ensure compatibility and stability. After validating the solution, we completed the migration over a weekend to minimize downtime.
By Monday, the company was fully operational on their new system. The virtualized environment provided stability and extended the life of their software, all at a fraction of the cost of redevelopment. This solution gave them time to plan future upgrades without immediate financial strain, demonstrating how thoughtful problem-solving can support small businesses relying on legacy systems.
