Modernizing old systems isn’t just a technology problem — it’s often the difference between moving forward or getting stuck. Take the example of a Swiss financial firm we worked with. Their core platform had been around for years and slowly turned into a fragile “black box.” Only one person really knew how it worked, every change felt risky, and parts of the code were so old that no one could explain why they were there in the first place.

When we helped modernize a 27-year-old system keeping a factory running 24/7, we ran into the same story. Different industry, different technology — but the same issues. And the way through was also the same: don’t try to eat the elephant in one bite. We broke the work down into smaller, safer steps, focused on really understanding the business and the events that mattered, and made sure each step delivered visible value.

This talk is less about technology buzzwords and more about the business side of modernization — how you reduce risk, keep people on board, and build trust while cleaning up messy, mission-critical systems. Expect practical lessons, a few relatable war stories, and even a surprise Tweety Bird cameo.