MongoDB has introduced a new platform called AMP that uses artificial intelligence to help companies update their old, outdated applications. These legacy apps often come with a lot of technical debt, like old code and outdated architecture, which can be expensive to maintain and make it hard to add new AI or automation features. Shilpa Kolhar, the SVP of product and engineering at MongoDB, says that falling behind in modernization can leave companies at a competitive disadvantage. Her team designed AMP to simplify and speed up this tricky process.

How the AMP Platform Works

The platform is built to guide companies through the entire modernization journey. It includes a dedicated team of engineers from around the world who work with each business to plan, test, and deploy updates. The process begins with a consulting phase where companies discuss costs and goals. Then, the platform runs tests on existing applications to understand how they behave in real-world conditions. This creates a baseline that shows what needs to be changed and helps ensure that the modernized system will work just like the original.

Kolhar explains that this initial testing is important because it provides a solid foundation. It ensures that when the legacy code is updated, it still performs the same way. This reduces the risk of breaking critical business functions and builds confidence in the modernization process. The entire project follows a loop of testing, transforming, trial, and deployment, making sure everything is smooth at each step.

Combining Human Expertise with AI

Devin Dickerson, a principal analyst at Forrester, describes this approach as “holistic.” He notes that most AI tools today are good for building new applications from scratch but aren’t as helpful for updating existing systems. MongoDB’s AMP stands out because it mixes AI-driven automation with real engineers. This hybrid method is seen as more reliable and efficient than fully automated tools or purely manual processes.

Rachel Stephens from RedMonk adds that traditional modernization often involves expensive consultants and slow manual work. These projects can stall or take longer than expected. MongoDB’s setup aims to reduce these risks and keep projects on track. By combining AI with human expertise, AMP can speed up modernization without sacrificing quality or control.

What Makes MongoDB Different from Competitors

Analysts point out that MongoDB’s focus on the data layer sets it apart. Many legacy systems face their biggest challenges in updating the database part, and MongoDB’s approach is tailored to handle that smoothly. Some competitors offer tools that may lock companies into specific vendors or cloud platforms. MongoDB’s approach, which is more platform-agnostic, appeals to companies wanting flexibility.

The company claims that clients like Bendigo Bank and Lombard Odier have already seen significant gains—up to 10 times faster in tasks like code transformation—using AMP. While MongoDB hasn’t shared all the specifics about which types of legacy systems it can support right now, Kolhar says they plan to expand gradually. This way, more companies will be able to modernize their old databases and applications efficiently.

In the end, MongoDB’s new platform aims to make modernization less risky, faster, and more accessible for enterprises looking to stay competitive in a rapidly changing tech landscape.

Inspired by

• https://www.infoworld.com/article/4057769/mongodb-launches-a-new-application-modernization-platform.html

Sources

• gmpg.org
• forrester.com
• redmonk.com
• podigee.com
• podigee.com