Legacy CF modernization and maintenance assessment
Not sure if your ColdFusion code and database structure need a minor tweak — or a major overhaul?
Dear CIO,
Have you inherited a legacy ColdFusion app?
Being a CIO with an aging ColdFusion system can feel like carrying the One Ring—heavy, full of unseen dangers, and constantly tempting you to either toss it into the fires of a full rewrite or pretend it’s not a problem at all.
It’s common to get conflicting advice from your dev team:
🗡️ "This must be reforged completely in .NET (or some other 'shiny' new stack)!"
🛡️ "Leave it be! It still works, doesn’t it?"
Who do you trust? It’s hard to navigate, especially when office politics make it as tangled as Gollum’s schemes.
Signs Your ColdFusion App Might Be a Burden Even the Strongest Dwarf Would Struggle With:
- You’re worried about technical debt and know modernization is important, but you need a neutral, third-party perspective to make your case.
- A developer keeps insisting, “This needs to be rewritten from scratch!”—but you’re not sure that’s the wisest course.
- The app is slow, but no one on your team dares touch it.
- The one developer who understood its quirks has vanished and you’re unsure how to proceed.
- Your legacy code might as well be written in Elvish, because no one seems to understand it anymore.
We can help you chart a clear path forward. Get an independent assessment and ensure your ColdFusion app isn’t just preserved, but maintained and modernized to serve your company’s future.
I’ve been a developer for over 45 years, and for the last 12, I’ve been on a quest—one might even call it an obsession—to modernize ColdFusion and help companies forge a stronger future for their legacy apps.
Here’s what that journey has looked like:
🏢 Advisor & strategist for U.S. companies modernizing their legacy CF applications
📖 Author of CF Alive: Making ColdFusion Modern, Vibrant, and Secure
🎙️ Host of the CF Alive Podcast – Over 100+ episodes interviewing top CF experts worldwide
🎤 Speaker at CF conferences across the globe
🛡️ Moderator of the ColdFusion Inner Circle – a private Facebook community for serious CF professionals
I’ve spoken to hundreds of CIOs at medium-sized companies (50-500 employees) and seen just about everything—monolithic codebases, undocumented systems, apps that haven’t been touched since the days of the Fellowship’s first journey… you name it.
But don’t just take my word for it—here’s what others have to say:
“All deliverables were A or A+. Took the problem head on…didn't try to shoe it into something else.” – Chris Spera, Project Manager at ICF
“I went around the world trying to solve that problem and got on the phone with one of the TeraTech techs, and we had it knocked out in about 45 minutes. Sometimes you don't even know what questions to ask… trust me, they do.” – George Nicholson, CIO at Telecommunication Industry Association
“Always delivers on time and on budget. Trustworthy – they get it done and stay within budget.” – Roque Viegas, Georgetown University CIED
As a CIO, uncertainty can be the biggest obstacle. That’s why I’m offering you a free ColdFusion modernization assessment—so you can gain clarity, avoid costly mistakes, and confidently chart the best course forward.
How It Works:
📝 Step 1: Sign Up
Complete a quick form to begin your journey toward app modernization.
📅 Step 2: Schedule Your Call
Book your complimentary 30-minute consultation with me (the CEO of TeraTech… Consider me the Gandalf of ColdFusion).
🖥️ Step 3: Share Your Screen
During our Zoom call, I’ll analyze your ColdFusion app in real-time, identifying its strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
📊 Step 4: Receive Valuable Insights
After your session, you’ll get:
- A recording of our call
- A detailed scorecard summarizing your app’s performance
🎯 Step 5: Gain Clarity & Direction
With expert third-party insights, you’ll finally have the evidence to support the right decision—whether it’s refactoring, upgrading, or strategic maintenance.
Why Putting This Off Can Be Costly
Many CIOs intend to address their aging ColdFusion apps… but then the fires keep coming.
🔥 One client’s app was down for two days, costing them $80,000 in lost revenue.
🛡️ Another had a security breach, and their company’s reputation took a serious hit.
These disasters could have been prevented—but only if action was taken sooner.
Here’s the hard truth: The longer you wait, the greater the risk.
Before You Consider a Full Rewrite… Read This
I know how tempting it is to hear:
💡 “This code is a mess! Let’s just rewrite the whole thing!”
But 99% of the time, that’s NOT the best move.
Think of a legacy CF app like an abandoned house with no lighting. You can’t see what’s inside—what’s solid, what’s salvageable, and what actually needs fixing.
🏚️ A full rewrite? That’s like demolishing the house and building a new one with completely different materials—risky, expensive, and time-consuming.
🔧 A refactor? That’s like turning on the lights so you can repair the walls, add fresh paint, and install better flooring—keeping what works while modernizing wisely.
The Hidden Dangers of a Full Rewrite:
- Budget Overruns – Many projects run out of funding before launch.
- Performance Issues – The new system may run 2-3x slower than the original.
- User Rejection – After months (or years), the final product may not even meet business needs.
💸 I’ve seen mid-sized businesses burn $1.5M+ and 12-18 months on a rewrite… only to pull the plug when it became clear the project was doomed.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
If your office isn’t full of ColdFusion experts (or tech-savvy hobbits who actually enjoy this kind of work), this is your chance to talk to someone who’s been there and knows how to help.
And yes, the assessment is 100% free—no sales pitch, no pressure. Just honest advice.
⚡ Worst case? You walk away with clarity, insight, and a roadmap for your ColdFusion app’s future.
🛖 Best case? You finally have a plan to get your app running smoother, faster, and more securely—without unnecessary risks.
(And if you’re not happy with the call, I’ll send a friendly hobbit to your doorstep with a full refund. 😉)
Jokes aside, ColdFusion modernization is my passion, and I’d love to help.
(PS If you’re not ready for an assessment, you can sign up for our Free Legacy ColdFusion To Modernization E-Course.)
I hope to hear from you soon and I look forward to helping you with your ColdFusion App.
Michaela Light
