Breaking Free: How Brands Can Overcome Legacy Commerce Constraints for Growth.

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights:
2. Introduction
3. The Hidden Tax of Legacy Commerce Platforms
4. COTY’s Transformational Journey
5. How Maze and Shopify Help Merchants Focus on Growth
6. The Era of Being Stuck is Over
7. FAQ

Key Highlights:

• Legacy commerce platforms hinder innovation and lead to significant financial and operational burdens for enterprise brands.
• Companies like COTY have successfully transitioned to modern platforms like Shopify, achieving substantial cost reductions and improved agility.
• Partners like Maze facilitate smooth migrations, allowing brands to focus on growth rather than maintenance, with promising outcomes in efficiency and time-to-market.

Introduction

In today's fast-paced commercial landscape, the ability to adapt and innovate is paramount. However, many enterprise brands are finding themselves shackled by legacy commerce platforms that, while initially promising, have morphed into burdens that stifle growth and increase costs. The consequences are dire: every moment spent clinging to outdated systems not only drains financial resources but also cedes market share to more agile competitors. As digital transformation accelerates, the urgency for brands to break free from these constraints has never been greater. This article explores the hidden costs of legacy systems, highlights successful transformations like that of COTY, and discusses how strategic partnerships can pave the way toward a more agile future.

The Hidden Tax of Legacy Commerce Platforms

Enterprise brands are increasingly discovering that the promise of "enterprise-grade" solutions has turned into a complex burden. The hidden costs of maintaining legacy systems extend far beyond mere license fees, encompassing various dimensions that cripple operational efficiency.

Financial Drain

Organizations often allocate up to 40% of their commerce technology budgets to maintaining outdated platforms rather than investing in innovation. This financial drain not only impacts current operations but also stymies future growth opportunities, forcing companies to reconsider their technology strategies.

Innovation Paralysis

For many brands, development cycles elongate significantly due to the limitations imposed by legacy systems. Tasks that should take weeks can stretch into months, resulting in a backlog of critical updates and features that ultimately delay strategic initiatives. This innovation paralysis can hinder a company’s ability to respond to market demands, leaving them vulnerable to competitors who are capitalizing on new opportunities.

Technical Debt

As brands attempt to keep their systems operational, they accumulate technical debt—a growing backlog of necessary improvements that are perpetually postponed due to system constraints. This debt not only complicates the technology landscape but also complicates the business strategy, as the organization is forced to expend considerable resources on maintaining legacy systems rather than pursuing innovative solutions.

Talent Limitations

The reliance on specialized developers to manage and operate these legacy platforms poses another challenge. These professionals command high salaries and are becoming increasingly difficult to find. As the talent pool shrinks, organizations face heightened competition for skilled workers, further exacerbating the challenges associated with legacy systems.

Competitive Disadvantage

While organizations grapple with legacy platforms, their competitors are seizing the opportunity to innovate. By launching new features and refining customer experiences, these agile brands capture market share, leaving their slower counterparts in the dust. The ongoing struggle with outdated technology becomes not only a technological issue but a strategic impediment that can define a company's future.

COTY’s Transformational Journey

COTY, a global leader in the beauty industry, embodies the challenges faced by many enterprise brands reliant on legacy systems. The company found its teams bogged down by the need to maintain outdated technology at the expense of growth. Recognizing the necessity for change, COTY partnered with Maze to migrate its brands to Shopify.

Key Achievements Post-Migration

The transition yielded remarkable results:

• Cost Reduction: COTY experienced a 30% reduction in the total annual cost of ownership across its multi-brand portfolio, freeing up crucial resources for innovation.
• Global Consistency: The migration facilitated a successful multi-region rollout, allowing COTY to deliver consistent global brand experiences across all markets.
• Enhanced Marketing Capabilities: Through seamless integration with marketing technologies, COTY could enhance its outreach and engagement strategies, further driving brand loyalty and sales.

COTY's transformation was not merely a platform switch; it represented a strategic reset. By alleviating the burdens of system maintenance, the company empowered its teams to concentrate on growth and innovation.

How Maze and Shopify Help Merchants Focus on Growth

Transitioning from legacy platforms to modern solutions is not just about adopting new technology; it involves managing the organizational, financial, and operational aspects of transformation. Maze's unique approach to facilitating these transitions provides significant value to brands seeking to break free from the shackles of outdated systems.

Accelerating Migration Success

With extensive experience migrating brands from platforms like Salesforce, Adobe Commerce, and Oracle to Shopify, Maze understands the complexities involved in both traditional and modern systems. This expertise ensures a smooth migration process, empowering businesses to unlock significant operational efficiencies and focus on their core objectives.

Significant Cost Savings

Brands can realize over 30% savings in their eCommerce platform costs through the migration process. By cutting unnecessary expenses associated with legacy systems, organizations can redirect their budgets towards innovation and growth initiatives.

Faster Time-to-Market

By eliminating IT bottlenecks, brands can launch new features 60% faster, allowing teams to concentrate on delivering value rather than maintaining outdated systems. This acceleration in time-to-market is crucial in a competitive landscape where responsiveness can dictate success.

Empowerment for Growth

Maze provides strategic enablement, including training and change management, to ensure internal teams are equipped to drive ongoing success and innovation post-migration. This comprehensive support fosters a culture of agility and innovation within the organization, enabling teams to adapt quickly to changing market conditions.

Predictable Costs and Outcomes

With a fixed-fee, fixed-timeline approach, brands can expect predictable costs and outcomes, alleviating the stress associated with financial uncertainties. This clarity allows teams to focus on their growth strategies without the distraction of unforeseen expenses.

The Era of Being Stuck is Over

Shifting from legacy commerce systems to modern platforms like Shopify represents a pivotal transformation that enhances agility, reduces costs, and accelerates the pace of innovation. The obstacles that previously made such transitions seem daunting have been effectively addressed by partners like Maze, who bring extensive expertise in navigating both traditional and contemporary systems.

For enterprise brands constrained by outdated technologies, inflexible contracts, and escalating technical debt, the message is clear: freedom is attainable. A well-defined roadmap exists that aligns ambitious change with careful risk management, paving the way for a successful transition.

Swift and Confident Action

The future belongs to brands that can act swiftly and confidently. Breaking free from limitations imposed by legacy systems is not merely an IT task; it is a vital competitive strategy that empowers organizations to fulfill their broader objectives. Embracing change is essential for survival in an environment defined by rapid technological advancement and shifting consumer expectations.

FAQ

What are legacy commerce platforms?

Legacy commerce platforms are outdated technology systems that were once considered cutting-edge but have become cumbersome and restrictive. They often require significant maintenance and hinder innovation.

Why is it important for brands to migrate from legacy systems?

Migrating from legacy systems allows brands to reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and accelerate innovation. It enables companies to respond more effectively to market demands and improve overall customer experience.

What role does Maze play in the migration process?

Maze specializes in facilitating the transition from legacy platforms to modern solutions like Shopify. They provide expertise in managing the complexities of migration, ensuring that brands can focus on growth rather than the burdens of outdated technology.

How much can brands save by migrating to modern platforms?

Brands can typically realize over 30% savings in eCommerce platform costs by migrating from legacy systems, allowing them to redirect resources towards innovation.

What benefits can brands expect after migration?

After migration, brands can expect reduced operational costs, faster time-to-market for new features, improved marketing capabilities, and the empowerment of internal teams to drive ongoing success and innovation.