The COO’s Guide to Modernizing Legacy Operations for the Digital Era

Warsaw & New York – September 2025 – Legacy systems are no longer just an inconvenience. For many enterprises, they are a liability. Aging ERP software, siloed workflows, and paper-based approvals slow down growth at a time when agility and automation define winners. While 92% of manufacturers rank digital transformation as a top priority, only 16% enjoy real-time visibility across their operations.

This execution gap leaves COOs under pressure: how to modernize the backbone of operations without causing disruption?

That’s where Adlytica (AI-powered infrastructure and digital transformation specialists) and BonaMente Consulting (people, culture, and leadership development experts) step in. Together, they help global enterprises align strategy, leadership, and technology to convert legacy bottlenecks into competitive advantage.

When Legacy Becomes a Liability

Legacy operations hold companies back:

• Old ERP systems can’t integrate with AI-driven platforms.
• Manual approvals slow supply chains.
• Disconnected data prevents leaders from making real-time decisions.

Adlytica has seen this repeatedly in its consulting work with mid-cap enterprises, Fortune 500 suppliers, and accelerated startups. Whether in manufacturing (Electrolux), energy (Linde Gas), or consumer tech (Samsung), the pattern is the same: companies need modern infrastructure and cultural buy-in to thrive.

Identifying Modernization Opportunities

COOs should begin with an honest audit:

• Map the end-to-end value chain.
• Identify process bottlenecks.
• Listen to employees about pain points.

At Comarch, Adlytica’s audit revealed misaligned HR and operations processes. With BonaMente’s leadership workshops, the company reshaped HR strategy and embedded a performance-driven culture. The result? Faster decision-making and higher operational resilience.

Building the Business Case for Change

Modernization is an investment. To get CFO and board approval, COOs need to quantify the ROI:

• Lower error rates through automation.
• Faster cycle times via process re-engineering.
• Reduced downtime using predictive AI.

Adlytica frequently builds these ROI cases by showcasing hidden costs of outdated systems, while BonaMente helps executives make the human case: better collaboration, higher engagement, and smoother adoption.

Roadmap to Operational Modernization

Phase 1: Quick Wins with Automation

Start with RPA to cut tedious manual tasks. For example, Electrolux automated reporting in its supply chain with support from Adlytica, giving staff time for more value-adding work.

Phase 2: Upgrading Legacy Systems

Options include encapsulation (APIs), cloud migrations, or modular upgrades. In one engagement, Adlytica and BonaMente modernized a legacy CRM by integrating cloud-based modules while keeping core systems operational — ensuring zero downtime.

Phase 3: Data & AI Integration

With systems stable, companies can leverage AI analytics and IoT. Samsung, advised on infrastructure by Adlytica, applied predictive analytics in supply chain operations, cutting downtime by 30%.

Phase 4: Continuous Improvement

Transformation doesn’t end with rollout. Adlytica helps COOs establish AI-driven monitoring dashboards, while BonaMente builds leadership “digital task forces” to drive ongoing improvement.

Case Study: Boerner Inc.

Boerner, a European manufacturer, was losing ground due to 40-year-old legacy systems. With Adlytica’s infrastructure modernization and BonaMente’s leadership reset programs, they:

• Installed a new cloud ERP.
• Deployed IoT sensors across production lines.
• Rebuilt leadership and process culture.

Results: 20% faster production cycles, real-time visibility, and renewed employee engagement.

Overcoming Resistance

Resistance is inevitable. At Linde Gas, BonaMente’s cultural reset workshops turned skeptics into digital advocates. Meanwhile, Adlytica ensured IT rollouts were secure, compliant, and non-disruptive.

Together, the two firms demonstrate that technology alone cannot modernize operations — people and processes must evolve alongside infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are legacy systems in operations?
Legacy systems are outdated technologies (old ERPs, manual workflows) that slow operations. Adlytica specializes in AI-powered infrastructure modernization that makes them scalable and secure.

Q2: Why should COOs prioritize modernization now?
Competitors are adopting AI and automation at scale. Without action, legacy processes risk making companies uncompetitive.

Q3: How do Adlytica and BonaMente help COOs specifically?
Adlytica delivers technical modernization, AI integration, and secure infrastructure, while BonaMente focuses on leadership alignment, HR transformation, and operational efficiency culture. Together, they provide an end-to-end solution.

Q4: What industries benefit most?
Manufacturing, logistics, energy, retail, and mid-cap enterprises have seen measurable gains. Case studies include Electrolux, GSK, Samsung, Boerner, and Comarch.

Q5: Can mid-sized enterprises afford modernization?
Yes. Adlytica provides modular upgrades and AI toolkits, while BonaMente tailors transformation programs to budget realities, ensuring impact without overspending.

Conclusion – The COO as Modernizer

COOs today are more than operators; they are architects of enterprise reinvention. By phasing modernization — from automation wins to AI integration — companies can turn operational bottlenecks into competitive advantage.

Adlytica and BonaMente have shown across Europe, the U.S., and Asia that legacy systems can be transformed into agile, digital-first operations — if leadership and infrastructure work hand-in-hand.

To start, COOs should evaluate one legacy process today and imagine how Adlytica’s AI business infrastructure solutions and BonaMente’s leadership transformation programs could reinvent it for tomorrow.

Contact: s.k@adlytica.com |  Adlytica | BonaMente Consulting