"STUCK ON YOU" The Clarion 6.0 Dilemma: NOW WHAT?

In 1984 Lionel Richie released the song "Stuck on You" about a man who finds his soulmate and is devoted to her.  That's awesome.   What is not awesome is being stuck on an old technology stack like Clarion 6.0. While it might have been a workhorse back in its heyday, being stuck on this old timer and trying to run Windows 11 is like trying to act like you are 18 again when you are really in your 50's. It's just not designed to work in the modern computing landscape. With newer frameworks like .NET 8 available, you have to wonder whether maintaining a Clarion application is still worth it. 

With Windows 10 going out of support in the near future, it’s time to look at the different options available for your legacy Clarion application.

So what's the problem, you ask? Let's break down the biggest issues:

Technical Headaches with Clarion 6.0

• 64-bit Blues: Windows 11 is a 64-bit system, but Clarion 6.0 is stuck in the 32-bit world. Have you ever tried to teach your mom to use TikTok - it's just not going to happen. Workarounds exist (like virtual machines), but they're cumbersome and far from ideal.
• DLL Drama: Clarion 6.0 is dependent on specific DLLs, and Windows 11 often can't find them. Have you ever misplaced your car keys right before a road trip - frustrating and time-consuming. That’s what DLL Hell is like. Manual intervention is required, and that's just not sustainable in the long run.
• Crash City: General protection faults are common. In other words, Clarion 6.0 crashes unexpectedly, and that's not good for anyone.

Operational Nightmares with Clarion 6.0

• Maintenance Mayhem: Keeping Clarion 6.0 afloat on Windows 11 is like trying to keep a vintage car running. It's expensive, time-consuming, and requires specialized knowledge.
• Security Scares: Old software is a prime target for hackers. There are so many examples of security vulnerabilities from using old software. There’s this, and this, and this just to name a few. You're asking for trouble by keeping that old stuff around.
• Productivity Plummets: Troubleshooting and fixing compatibility issues take time away from actual development work. Ask yourself, would you rather be building your business – or spackling over the problems and treading water… Or even worse losing ground to more nimble competitors.

Strategic Stalemates

• Modernization Mandate: Staying stuck in the past or kicking the can down the road is a recipe for disaster. And upgrading to newer versions of Clarion won’t necessarily fix your problems since you’ll still be tethered to the desktop. Moving to modern development tools and modern web and cloud platforms is essential for long-term success.
• Obsolescence on the Horizon: Sticking with outdated software leads to missed opportunities and lost revenue. Can you imagine using a rotary phone in a smartphone world? That’s what using Clarion 6.0 feels like vs a modern IDE like Visual Studio or Rider.
• Competitive Concerns: Businesses relying on outdated software risk falling behind their rivals. It's like racing a horse and buggy against a Ferrari.

Embrace the Power of the Cloud

Imagine being unshackled from your desk, accessing your work from anywhere, on any device. That's the beauty of the web and cloud. It's not just about freedom; it's about scaling effortlessly as your business grows, up-to-date security, keeping your data safe and sound. 

This flexibility empowers employees and clients alike, increasing productivity and user satisfaction. Additionally, web and cloud platforms enable scaling as business needs grow, without requiring major infrastructure changes. With up-to-date security and the ability to integrate the latest technologies, migrating to the web can help your business remain competitive, efficient, and innovative in the long term.

The Bottom Line: It's Time to Jettison Clarion Altogether

It’s tempting to think an upgrade to Clarion 10 or 11 might solve your problems, but trust me it won’t. You’ll still be stuck with the limitations of desktop software, missing out on the flexibility, and scalability of the cloud. Plus you’ll continue to miss out on the innovation and agility that modern cloud platforms provide. And of course, even newer Clarion versions have vulnerabilities that pose additional risks. 

Remember: technology moves fast. If you're not keeping up, you're falling behind.

The Best Part: GAP Migrates Clarion 6.0 to Modern Platforms and the Cloud

GAP’s WebMAP for Clarion converts applications to modern web architectures. Our patented tools automate the migration process, preserve your code’s business logic and deliver a maintainable and extensible codebase. There’s huge power ahead for you by moving to the cloud:

• Future-proof your apps: WebMAP for Clarion modernizes your applications, making them accessible from anywhere
• Unlock new opportunities: Cloud migration opens doors to scalability, integration with other services and a modern user experience
• You’re competitive now: You can now embrace the speed, efficiency and innovation that cloud-based applications offer to stay ahead of your competition

Don’t settle for half-measures.

Darryl Worsham, general manager of GAP's Modernization Business Unit, is a seasoned C-suite executive with 30+ years of experience in product lifecycle management, sales, marketing, engineering and software delivery.